F-1 Student Orientation & Information
Housing Options
Start researching housing options before you arrive in the US. This will make your first few days in Atlanta less stressful.
Online Check-in
iStart Check-in
Please complete check-in online after you arrive in the U.S and before attending orientation. Students are not allowed to attend classes without checking in online.
- iStart: https://istart.gatech.edu/
Address Check-in
Please update your local Atlanta address.
- Buzzport: https://buzzport.gatech.edu/
Immunization Record Check-in
All Georgia Tech students must meet the university's immunization requirements. You should try to collect and bring as many of your immunization records as possible prior to arriving in Atlanta. All immunization records must have a doctor signature, official date of immunization, and official stamp. Bring all available immunization records with you to campus on the day of the Orientation with the Georgia Tech Certificate of Required Immunizations. A representative from the Stamps Health Center will review the records to determine if you are missing any required immunizations. If you need to take additional shots, the student medical insurance will cover 100% of the costs for shots taken at the Stamps Health Center.
- Stamps Health Services: https://health.gatech.edu/
Health Insurance Check-in
When a student needs additional medical attention that cannot be provided by the Stamps Health Center, UnitedHealthcare provides comprehensive medical insurance that is widely accepted at hospitals, emergency rooms and specialists in metro Atlanta.
For F-1 visa holders, this insurance is mandatory.
- United Healthcare: https://myaccount.uhcsr.com
Payment Options
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| International Credit/Debit Card or Wire Transfer | If you will pay with an international credit/debit card or with an international wire transfer, you may pay using Flywire before or after you travel to Atlanta. Learn more about Flywire's Best Price Guarantee. |
| Credit Card | A 2.85% service fee will be charged during payment. Click Here for Instructions |
| Electronic Check/WebCheck | There is no fee to use this method of payment. However, a $30 fee will be assessed for a check that is returned by the bank due to insufficient funds or incorrect information.You will need the Account number and Routing number from your bank. Click Here for Instructions |
| Sponsored Students | If your financial guarantee or other scholarship award letter has not been received by the Language Institute when classes begin, you will be required to pay a temporary $500 deposit in order to attend class until the financial guarantee is received. |
Additional Resources
Pre-arrival Information
Get ready for your arrival in Atlanta with the pre-arrival information packet. It outlines what you need to bring, how to travel from the airport, where to stay after you arrive, and other important information to help you have a successful start.
- picture_as_pdfLanguage Institute Pre-Arrival Information
Change of Plan Form
Complete a Change of Plan Form if you need to cancel or defer your enrollment to a later session.
Visa and SEVIS Information
How do I apply for an F-1 student visa?
- After you receive your I-20 from the Language Institute, you should contact the U.S. embassy or consulate for an appointment. Click here to find out the approximate waiting time for a student visa at the embassy or consulate closest to your home. You are encouraged to apply for your visa early to provide enough time for visa processing. The consular officer may need to get special clearances depending on the course of study and your nationality. This can take some additional time.
You need to pay the $350 SEVIS fee before your visa appointment. The easiest way to pay this fee is online. Use these instructions to apply for your visa and pay the SEVIS fee Visa Application Instructions.
Before you go for your appointment
- Find out what additional documents you will need to have (transcripts, diplomas, letters from an employer, letters from your school, etc.).Each embassy has its own requirements for issuing visas. Use these tips here to prepare for your visa interview.
- Review the Guide to Study in the States provided by Study in the States. The website will take you through the entire lifecycle of becoming an F-1 student, including Before School, During School, and After School.
Review the EducationUSA webpage here covering the F-1 visa application process. EducationUSA advising centers offer assistance with preparing for visa interviews and offer pre-departure orientation.