Step 5: Enter the US & Arrive on Campus

When to Arrive

When making travel plans, students, scholars and their dependents must be aware of the earliest and latest date they may enter the US. If unable to enter the US by their start date, students and scholars must contact their ISSS advisor.

F-1 and J-1 Exchange Visitors: Can enter the United States up to 30 days before the program start date on the I-20 or DS-2019. The start date is the latest day that a F-1 or J-1 can arrive.
H-1B, O-1, and TN Scholars: Should arrive in the US no earlier than 10 days before their start date. Scholars can arrive after their start date, but they should have a letter from Emory stating that it's okay for them to arrive late.

Travel Considerations

Plan an arrival date in Atlanta so that there is time to:

Rest for a day or two;
Find housing and make other arrangements for Living in Atlanta (Banking, Mobile Phones, etc.).
Complete any new student/scholar requirements set by the school/department (i.e. attending orientation, completing hiring and tax paperwork, registering for classes, etc.)
Complete International Student/Scholar Check-in in ISSS Link and attend ISSS Orientation
- F and J Students: Complete the New Student Reporting e-form in ISSS Link and find a ISSS Orientation Session ("Let's Talk About Your Immigration Status")
- All Scholars: Complete the New Scholar Arrival e-form in ISSS Link. In the final section of the e-form, the scholar will be instructed on how to schedule their ISSS scholar orientation.

At the Airport

After landing in the US, students and scholars should follow the signs for Immigration where they will present their documents to an immigration officer. The documents a non-immigrant will need to present are specific to their visa status and listed below. Be sure these documents are in carry-on luggage and not packed in a checked bag as the student or scholar will need to present them prior to collecting their luggage. Once admitted into the US, the student or scholar will proceed to US customs inspection and pick up their checked luggage. This entire procedure can take up to 2 hours.

Title

Documentation to Present at the Port-of-Entry

Have these documents ready to show the immigration officer:

Passport
Visa
- Note: The official must be satisfied that the student intends to attend the school specified on the visa. If a student is transferring their F or J status to Emory from another institution, they can use the student visa stamp from their previous school as long as it has not expired.
I-20 (F-1s) or DS-2019 (J-1s)
Admission letter
Financial documents (i.e. graduate assistantship award letter or bank statements)
SEVIS fee receipt
If a student has previously spent time in the US in F-1 or J-1 status, they might have to present their previous I-20 or DS-2019 forms as well.

The immigration officer will examine the I-20 or DS-2019 and record the student's entrance in the SEVIS system. When the officer returns the documents to the student, the passport may contain an arrival stamp with the notation of "F-1" or "J-1" and "D/S," meaning the student has been admitted for duration of status.

If a student is not issued an entry stamp, they do not need to worry, as some US ports of entry have transitioned away from stamping the passport upon entry.

Have these documents ready to show the immigration officer:

Passport
Visa
Offer letter from the hiring department
Previous I-20, DS-2019, or I-797 forms (if the scholar has previously spent time in the US)
Additional Documents based on visa status (see below):
- J scholars:
  - DS-2019
  - SEVIS fee payment receipt
  - Documents showing financial support (offer letter, funding letter, bank statement, etc.)
- H-1B and O-1 scholars
  - I-797 Approval Notice
  - Copy of entire H-1B/O-1 petition as submitted to USCIS, including supporting documentation (Note: ISSS provided a copy along with the original I-797 Approval Notice)
- TN scholars
  - TN employment letter provided by Emory ISSS
  - Original diplomas and transcripts, including English translations. 
    - If the TN earned a degree outside the US, they will also need a credential evaluation
  - If a petition was filed with USCIS on the scholar's behalf:
    - Copy of the I-129 petition, including supporting documentation
    - Copy of the I-797 approval notice
- E-3 scholars
  - Copy of certified Labor Condition Application (LCA)
  - If a petition was filed with USCIS on the scholar's behalf:
    - Copy of the I-129 petition, including supporting documentation
    - Copy of the I-797 approval notice

The immigration officer returns the documents to the scholar, the passport may contain an arrival stamp containing a specific date. This indicates how long the scholar can stay in the US in that visa status. It should be the same as the end date on the I-797 approval notice or the TN employment letter.

If a scholar is not issued an entry stamp, they do not need to worry, as some US ports of entry have transitioned away from stamping the passport upon entry.

Getting to Campus

There are several methods to get from the airport to Emory's campus. They include:

Public Transportation: MARTA (Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) is the major public transportation operator for the city of Atlanta.
Rideshare: Uber and Lyft are currently the two major competing rideshare apps in the Atlanta area.
Taxi
Shuttle

By subway/train or bus (MARTA): There is a MARTA station inside the airport, and travelers can purchase a ticket at the machines by the MARTA entrance.

For more information about using MARTA:

The "Buses and Trains" section of the airport's Ground Transportation webpage
MARTA Plan a Trip (will provide possible subway and bus routes from the airport to Emory's campus or another destination)
How to Ride MARTA to and from the Airport

By rideshare: The two most popular rideshare apps in Atlanta are Uber and Lyft. Follow the airport signs for "Rideshare" and wait in the designated area after ordering a car through the app. For more information on using rideshares at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International airport, visit the "Rideshare/Transportation Network Companies" section on their Ground Transportation webpage. Safety tip: Do not enter a car unless the car, license plate and driver match the details given in the app. Have the driver say the rider's name rather than saying their name to confirm the pick-up.

By taxi: The fee for a taxi from Atlanta's airport depends on if traveling to an Atlanta Business District (Downtown, Buckhead or Midtown) or to a location outside of one of these districts. For fee structures and information on getting a taxi at the airport, visit the "Limousines and Taxis" section of the airport's Ground Transportation webpage.

By shuttle: Shuttle services provide transportation to and from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, but travelers may need to make a reservation. For more information, visit the "Shared Ride Shuttles" section of the airport's Ground Transportation website.