International Students

Pre-arrival support

  • The student organization International Graduate Students & Scholars (IGSS) is planning a student-led information session via Zoom in mid-June. Contact IGSS president Tharindu Rajasooriya for details. 
  • Your 2024 International Student Liaisons (ISLs) have created a community forum just for new students, where you can connect with the liaisons, ask questions, and meet other incoming students. Contact ISL tech leads Aditya Prakash or Shaniah Reece to get connected. 
  • Emory’s International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) office has a “Life in the US” page that you may found useful. 
  • For visa/immigration questions, you can find your ISSS advisor here. 
  • You can also contact your graduate program administrator (see list here) to see what resources they may have for you. 

Orientation and other events beginning August 15

“Let’s Talk about Your Immigration Status” - Required for F1-Students: 

  • Thursday, August 15, 3:30-4:30 pm 
  • Emory Student Center, all-MPR 
    This required session from Emory’s Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) covers critical information about maintaining your F-1 visa status. 
  • Register here 

Student-led Session for New International Students – Optional/Register below if you wish to attend 

  • Thursday, August 15, 4:30-6:30 pm 
  • Emory Student Center, all-MPR This session, led by second- and third-year students serving as your 2024 International Student Liaisons, covers topics of interest for international students and provides an opportunity to meet other new students with international backgrounds. Light dinner provided. 
  • Registration required at this link: https://forms.office.com/r/u82kc0NR5c  

 LGS Pop-up Café 

  • Wednesday, August 28 and Thursday, August 29, 9-11am 
  • Patterson Green (the Courtyard at the Center of Goizueta Business School)
  • Stop by for free coffee, tea, and breakfast pastries on your way to your first classes for this great opportunity to connect with other students and your LGS student experience team. 

 International LGS Student Welcome Reception 

  • September 18, 5-7pm
  • Join us to celebrate our diverse student body. This special evening event is for our new international students only.       
  • Save the date now; Invitations will be sent in early September 

 English Language Support 

  • Our English Language Support Program offers courses, workshops, and individual consultations to users of English as an additional language 
  • Look for an email communication from Heather Boldt, ELSP director, about how the ELSP can help you advance your English communication skills. 

Obtaining a Visa

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT AND SCHOLAR SERVICES

ISSS assists students with issues such as student visas, maintaining F-1 or J-1 status, and PhD-specific issues such as registration, employment, research abroad and leaves of absence, extending your period of study and more.

ISSS Website

New students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents will need to obtain visas. Generally, you obtain a visa through a U.S. consulate in your area, so you will need to identify which consulate you will be working with. Contact a U.S. embassy or consulate in your country for details.

You will obtain documentation needed for your visa application through Emory's International Students and Scholars Services office (ISSS). Most LGS students obtain an F1 visa, and for that you will need and I-20 form. Your circumstances may be different, and ISSS is the best source for information about next steps.

Visit the ISSS website:

Understanding your U.S. tax responsibilities

New PhD students must contact Emory’s Nonresident Tax Office for instructions on how to complete tax forms. The first step in the process is to complete the information in the Foreign National Information System (FNIS). This is required so that U.S. tax status can be determined and the necessary forms can be generated. In order to complete FNIS, please send an email to Emory’s Nonresident Tax Office at nonresident.tax@emory.edu to request a user name and password for the system. You will receive a link to the system with a user name and temporary password. The email will also contain instructions on how to complete FNIS. Once FNIS is completed, the Nonresident Tax Specialist will review the information and send a follow-up email on how to access the forms for printing and signing. Reminder: Do NOT complete tax forms online on the Emory Orientation website.