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Immigration Regulations
Know your Immigration Documents
Passport
You should keep your passport valid at all times. Your passport is your own government's permit for you to leave and re-enter your own country. Most passports contain an expiration date.
Renewing your passport:
Contact your own consulate or embassy in the U.S. to renew your passport. The officials there will tell you what forms and fees, if any, are required. You can find out the contact information for your embassy by going to: www.state.gov/misc/10125.htm
Visa
The visa stamp put in your passport by the U.S. Consulate is to enter the U.S. It does not show how long you can stay here. It can expire while you are in the US, but must be valid to enter the US! To determine how long you can stay in the US, see your I-20.
Renewing your U.S. visa for re-entry:
It is not possible to renew an F-1 visa while you are within the borders of the U.S. If the visa has expired and you are planning on traveling outside the North American continent, it is necessary to renew your visa. You may renew your visa by visiting the U.S. Consulate in the country that you are traveling to.
Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record)
The I-94 shows that you have been admitted to the U.S. The I-94 is usually stapled onto the U.S. visa page of your passport. It contains an eleven-digit identifying number (called your departure number) the USCIS uses to keep track of your arrival and departure from the United States. The USCIS sometimes refers to the "departure" number as the "admission" number.
Expiration:
There should be a date stamped on the I-94 indicating the date that you arrived in the U.S. You should also see that "D/S" is written below the date stamp. This "D/S" indicates "duration of status" which means that you are admitted for the length of your program of study, plus any period of Optional Practical Training, plus 60 days.
Form I-20
The I-20 is issued for the program and level of study you are presently pursuing. If you graduate before the completion date indicated on your I-20 you are considered to have completed your program of study and your I-20 is no longer valid. The third page of the I-20 contains spaces for information about your employment authorization and travel signatures by a Designated School Official (DSO) at Georgia Tech as well as notations by a USCIS official.
Traveling Outside of the United States
All students in F-1 status must have a signature on page 3 of their I-20 from an advisor at OIE before leaving the United States if they intend to re-enter the United States. The signature is valid for twelve months and multiple entries.
Remember:
 Your passport must be valid beyond the date on which you plan to re-enter the U.S.
If the visa is valid for only one entry, or has expired, a new visa can be obtained from the U.S. Consulate in the country you are visiting by presenting evidence of financial support and either your current I-20 or a new one as appropriate. OIE suggests that students take official transcripts with them. You should allow enough time to obtain a new visa. You should go to www.travel.state.gov for requirements to obtain a new visa at a specific consulate or embassy. If you have further questions about visa renewal, contact OIE.
Exceptions to this rule are for visits to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean Islands. For such trips you will need only a passport, your I-20 with travel signature, and a current Form I-94. This does not apply to nationals of Cuba, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Sudan and Syria. To view the Code of Federal Regulations regarding Automatic Revalidation of Visa, click here.
You should consult the embassy of the country you are visiting to see if you need a visitor's visa for that country. You can reach all embassies at: www.state.gov/misc/10125.htm.
Maintaining Student Status
Keep a valid, unexpired passport and I-20
Update current physical address in Banner/OSCAR every time you move
Be enrolled in a degree-seeking course and make normal progress towards said degree
Be enrolled full-time (12+hrs) unless authorized in advance to take a reduced course load. You must get authorization from OIE before the registration fee deadline to qualify
Reduced Course Load is only available for:
- Academic reasons with academic advisor recommendation, only once per degree level
- Medical reasons with supporting documentation from a Medical Doctor in Atlanta
- A vacation semester (see below) or your last semester before graduation.
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Vacation semesters: You are eligible for a vacation semester in the summer.
Notify OIE of any change of major or degree level within 10 days of the change
Submit an I-20 extension request before the I-20 expires.
Work no more than 20 hours/week (on and/or off campus) while enrolled full- time.
Work off-campus only with OIE authorization. Off-campus work without authorization is a serious violation of your status; you will be working illegally.
Apply for post-completion OPT before the end of completion of studies. This might not be the same semester as when you officially graduate.
Have a valid travel signature on your I-20 before leaving and re-entering the US
Complete an Income Tax Return as per IRS regulation by April 15th of every year.
Notify OIE of any change in information or addition of dependents
Employment and Training
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
For an off-campus work experience to be considered eligible for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization, it must be an integral part of the degree program. Students must be in F-1 status for at least 2 semesters before they are eligible to work off-campus. Students can work as much as they want on CPT, but if they are authorized to work more than 12 months of full-time CPT, they are not eligible for OPT.
For Georgia Tech undergraduate students in any major, off campus employment can only be authorized if the student is participating in the Co-op program. For Georgia Tech graduate students studying City Planning or Information Design and Technology, off campus employment can be authorized as a required internship OR if the student is participating in the Co-op program. For Georgia Tech graduate students in all other majors, off campus employment can only be authorized if the student is participating in the Co-op program.
Students must have a job offer and letter of approval from the Division of Professional Practice to be able to apply for CPT. The Office of International Education authorizes students to work on CPT. It takes 5 working days to process the authorization. Students will receive a new I-20 with the CPT authorization, which includes the employer's name and address and the dates of employment. Students can only work during the dates authorized on the I-20. The I-20 with the CPT authorization is proof of employment eligibility, which students need to show to their employer. Students also must register for the Co-op course.
More information about CPT can be found here:  Curricular Practical Training (CPT).
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
12 Month OPT
Optional Practical Training (OPT) gives F-1 students an opportunity for work experience in the U.S. before and/or after completion of a degree. It is limited to a total of 12 months for each higher degree level in a field directly related to your field of study. Students must be in F-1 status for at least 2 semesters before they are eligible to work off-campus. Unlike CPT, OPT does not have to be included as a required internship or practicum listed in your curriculum.
Students do not need a job offer to apply for OPT. OPT is recommended by an International Student Advisor in the Office of International Education, and approved by the USCIS (formerly INS). It takes 3-4 months for approval of OPT. Once approved, the student will receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card, with the dates the student is authorized to work marked on the card.
Please click here for more information about Optional Practical Training (OPT)
To complete the OPT application, Form I-765, please click here
You can also check the OPT Frequently Asked Questions
For FAQs about OPT, Reporting Requirements, Unemployment Reporting, and the H1B Cap-Gap Extension for those on OPT, click here.
Instructions on Reporting Employer Information while on OPT.
17 Month Extension of Optional Practical Training (OPT)
On April 8th, 2008, USCIS published a new rule regarding a 17 month extension of Optional Practical Training for F-1 students. Certain students who are currently participating in their 12 months of post-completion OPT will be allowed to file for an additional 17 months of OPT, taking their total allocation to 29 months.
See here for the 17 month OPT extension application instructions.
You can also check the 17 month OPT extension Frequently Asked Questions that includes information on application eligibility. (PDF)
Undergraduate Professional Internship - Undergraduate Students only
To participate in the Professional Internship program through the Division of Professional Practice, undergraduate students must use OPT. Professional Internships give academic credit, but it is not a required part of any degree program, so it is not eligible for CPT authorization.
Students can begin looking for a job at any time. They will only be able to begin working ONCE THEY RECEIVE OPT AUTHORIZATION. It takes 3-4 months to get authorization for OPT, so STUDENTS SHOULD APPLY FOR OPT AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE. They can apply for OPT at any time; it does not have to be within 120 days of the start of the authorization period.
Once the student has OPT authorization and a job offer, the Division of Professional Practice will approve the work. The Office of International Education will recommend OPT and does not need to give any further approval. However, students should notify OIE of the name and address of the employer as well as the dates of employment.
Change of Status
Eligibility
You have maintained your non-immigrant status and have a valid I-94 and passport, if passport is required.
Procedure
Please make an appointment with an OIE advisor by calling 404-894-7475.
With the advisor's assistance, you will mail the following documents to the Immigration Service:
Form I-539
I-20
Proof of financial support for the first year of studies and for any dependents in the U.S.
Cover letter addressed to USCIS requesting the change of status, explaining your immigration history and why you entered the U.S. with a different status, why the change is needed, and why it is important to study at GT and what you will do with the degree in the future
Copy of I-94 (front and back)
Proof of current legal status (if on dependent visa, provide photocopies of primary visa holder's legal status) such as (a) I-94; and (b) I-797, DS-2019, or I-20
Photocopies of I-94s (front and back) for any dependents who will be changing status with you
Check or money order payable to DHS for $300
Receipt for $100 SEVIS fee - payable by credit card at: www.fmjfee.com
Note:
Non-immigrants in C, D, K, M or those who entered the U.S. under the Visa-Waiver Pilot Program cannot change to F-1 status. In addition, those with J status subject to the two-year home physical presence requirement may not change status in the U.S.
If you are currently in a status that does not permit employment, you may not be employed as an F-1 until you have received notification from the USCIS that your change of status is approved. Since this process can take several months, it is essential that you apply for the change of status as soon as possible. You will not be able to receive funds from the school until your status is changed to F-1.
Reinstatement
Definition
Reinstatement to student status is needed when the student has not maintained immigration status. Failing to maintain status can happen in a variety of ways. Here are some examples:
If the student has not maintained a full course of study as required by the USCIS
If the student's date of completion in item #5 on the I-20 Form has expired and no extension of stay was requested
If the student has failed to follow the correct procedures to transfer from one institution to another within the first 15 days after enrollment at the new school
Procedure
Please make an appointment with an OIE advisor. The advisor will assist the student with the following:
Complete Form I-539
Write a letter to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requesting reinstatement, explaining the reasons for falling out of status and stating that you have not engaged in unauthorized employment
Provide documentation from your department to support your reinstatement to student status. This letter must include the expected degree completion date
Provide proof of financial support in order to get new I-20. The OIE advisor will go over the financial support information with the student
Provide the original I-94
Provide photocopy of your visa and passport page from your passport
Provide a photocopy of the original I-20
Provide a check or money order for $300.00 made payable to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
If out-of-status more than 5 months, pay the $100 SEVIS fee by credit card at www.fmjfee.com. Print out the receipt and include it with the application.
SPECIAL NOTE:
You are not allowed to work until a USCIS decision has been made about your application for reinstatement to student status.
Travel and Re-entry
If you are out of status and are not eligible to apply for reinstatement, you can leave the US and reenter with a new I-20. You will be in good F-1 status when you reenter the US. However, you will begin your F-1 status again, which means that you must be in status for 2 semesters before you are eligible for CPT or OPT.
It is very important to note that if you are out of status and travel, there is no guarantee that you will be permitted to reenter the US. The decision on whether or not you are able to reenter is made by the USCIS officer at the port of entry. OIE will prepare you as best as we can, but we cannot guarantee that you will be allowed to reenter.
Transfer Out of Georgia Tech
Students are considered to be a transfer student if they complete a program at one institution and begin a new program at another institution, or if they transfer from one institution to another to complete the same degree program. Students must begin classes at the new institution within a 5 month period to get a "transfer" I-20. If they do not transfer within 5 months, they must get a new "initial attendance" I-20 and will be considered a new F-1 student, not a transfer student.
Students who are transferring from Georgia Tech to another institution in the US must complete a
Transfer Out Form.
Once the Transfer Out Form is completed, the student should meet with an International Student Advisor in the OIE. The advisor will release the SEVIS record from Georgia Tech to the institution listed on the Transfer Out Form, according to the Transfer Out date listed on the form.
The requested release date on the Transfer Out date is VERY IMPORTANT. After that date, the SEVIS record will belong to the other school and can no longer be accessed by Georgia Tech. If any changes need to be made to the requested release date or to the transfer school, this must be done BEFORE the requested release date. If changes are made AFTER the requested release date, they must be made by the new school.
On-campus work is authorized ONLY at the school which owns the SEVIS record. Any off campus work must be authorized through Optional Practical Training. If you are already authorized for OPT, then it will end when you complete the transfer to the new school.
Students must request the transfer process within 60 days of the end of this final semester at Georgia Tech. Students must begin studying at the transfer institution within 5 months of leaving the Georgia Institute of Technology.
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