Effective February 1, 2025, the Office of International Education (OIE) is implementing an administrative fee structure for all J-1 Exchange Visitors categories. These categories include J-1 Professors, Research Scholars, Short-Term Scholars, Specialists, and Student Interns.
The BridgeUSA administrative fee supports the central operational costs associated with sponsoring exchange visitors at Georgia Tech. These costs include:
- Hiring and training nonimmigrant visa experts to support institutional compliance and mandatory reporting to the Department of State’s Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and to provide advising services to Exchange Visitors and their hosting academic units.
- Hosting opportunities for Exchange Visitors and their family members to learn about and engage with U.S. culture and the U.S. academic environment.
- Hosting new Exchange visitor orientation and networking events.
- Providing mandatory reporting and consultation support to Georgia Tech’s academic and administrative units.
- Liaising with U.S. government entities to support institutional compliance and respond to U.S. immigration and law enforcement agencies.
J-1 Exchange Visitor Employed and Affiliates
The OIE BridgeUSA administrative fee is based on the exchange visitor’s program duration and whether the exchange visitor has an employee or affiliate status. An exchange visitor is considered an employee if Georgia Tech pays them. An affiliate exchange visitor is not paid by Georgia Tech and is supported by personal funds or other international funding sources.
Fees:
- Exchange Visitors – GT Employed
4 Weeks to 1 Year - $500
Each Additional Year - $500
- Exchange Visitors – Affiliate
4 Weeks to 1 Year - $1,000
Each Additional Year - $1,000
- Exchange Visitors – Student Intern
4 Weeks to 1 Year - $500
Dependents:
Dependents accompanying the primary J visa holder are included in this fee structure; there is no additional charge.
Additional Considerations
- J-1 Student Interns are students enrolled at an institution abroad who will engage in research or an internship at Georgia Tech for a temporary period. J-1 Student Interns are not admitted to degree programs and do not enroll in Georgia Tech classes. J-1 Student Interns are typically classified as Affiliates; however, the OIE fee will be charged to J-1 Student Interns at the Georgia Tech Employee rate.
- J-1 Student interns may participate in the BridgeUSA program for at least 4 weeks up to 1 year; extensions beyond 1 year are prohibited based on U.S. federal regulations.
- The OIE BridgeUSA administrative fee will not be charged to J-1 degree-seeking students admitted to Georgia Tech and enrolled in coursework.
- Existing Exchange Visitors present at Georgia Tech before February 1, 2025, will not be charged fees for extension through the end of their program participation.
Paying the Fee:
Institutional units can choose to either pay the administrative fee with a journal entry or pass the charge on to the incoming Exchange Visitor, who can pay online via Georgia Tech Marketplace OIE will collect the fee at the point of initial request to host the Exchange Visitor and again if the Exchange Visitor requests an extension of their program duration.
Fee Exemption:
It may be possible to request a fee exemption in extenuating circumstances (e.g., war, natural disaster) and in cases when the Exchange Visitor is providing core undergraduate teaching.
Please see the institutional policy for more information about Hosting Exchange Visitors. For additional resources, you may review Exchange Visitors FAQs to help answer fee questions or email questions to OIE at jscholars@oie.gatech.edu.