Check our calendar events for upcoming ISSS events and opportunities.

Students, scholars and their dependents have two options for mobile phone service in the United States: pre-paid service or contract-based service. It is recommended that students and scholars do some research before choosing a service type, selecting a carrier, and signing a contract.

Occasionally, international scholars may be offered a new position within their own department or offered a position in another Emory department. Before an international scholar can switch departments and/or change positions, they must receive approval from ISSS. The new department is responsible for initiating this process. 

Depending on the scholar's nonimmigrant status, a change in department/position may not be possible or the change requires an application to be filed with the US government. Therefore, it is important that scholars and their hiring department submit the request to ISSS as early as possible.

Occasionally, a scholar and/or their host/hiring department may request a reduction in hours. Since Emory only sponsors full-time international scholars, a change from full-time to part-time employment is not allowed. 

F-1 students that change their major must update their I-20 within 10 calendar days of this change. Students should first reach out to their Academic Advisor to determine the process to change their major with their program or school. Once the change is reflected in OPUS, students should complete the "I-20 Update/Replacement" e-form on ISSS Link.

J-1 students are not eligible to change their major. Please speak with their ISSS Advisor for further questions.

Student that are admitted into a new program at Emory must submit the Change of Program form in ISSS Link immediately (no later than 10 days) after receiving their acceptance letter.

• Students and scholars who are already in the US and need/want to change their nonimmigrant status have two options:
  • Traveling outside the US and re-entering the country using a different visa stamp.
  • Filing an application or petition from within the United States to change status (if eligible).
• Exception: J-1 exchange visitors who are subject to the Two-Year Home-Country Physical Presence Requirement cannot change status within the US.

International scholar check-in consists of submitting the appropriate "Scholar Arrival" e-form in ISSS Link and attending an ISSS New Scholar Orientation. 

• For J-1 Scholars: Submit the "J-1 New Scholar Arrival" e-form in ISSS Link (found under the "Pre-Arrival and Orientation" menu). Scholars must complete it within 10 days of their start date and before they attend the scholar orientation session at ISSS. In the final section of the e-form they will be required to choose a Scholar Orientation session to attend.
   
• For H-1Bs, E-3s, O-1s, and TNs: Submit the "Scholar Arrival: H-1B, E-3, TN, O-1" e-form in ISSS Link (found under the "Pre-Arrival and Orientation" menu). Scholars must complete it within 10 days of their start date.  At the end of the e-form, they will be directed to the ISSS website to find the name of their ISSS Advisor and a link to their online calendar.

Completion of International Student Check-in is required to activate and maintain a student's immigration status, apply for certain benefits (i.e. SSN or driver's license), and complete the on-campus employment onboarding process.

New students must log into ISSS Link to complete the mandatory international student check-in process and have their SEVIS record activated. They will submit the "International Student Check-in: Arrival Confirmation" e-form found under the "New Students" tab.

Depending on a scholar's nonimmigrant status, it may be possible to be employed by multiple organizations as long as they follow proper procedures before starting the concurrent employment.

Concerned about an upcoming consular interview? Students and scholars can prepare for their appointment by reviewing ISSS' consular interview tips.

• International students and scholars are required to update their US phone number, local address, and primary email address within 10 calendar days of any change.
• Depending on their nonimmigrant's status, a student or scholar may need to make updates in more than one place.
• Click on "Learn More" for instructions on how to update one's contact information with Emory and the US government.

Credential evaluation services compare foreign and US educational credentials such as grades, degrees, and certificates. Some services include translation. 

• Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a form of off-campus work authorization for F-1 students who plan to pursue an internship, practicum, or training experience that is an integral part of their degree program. To be eligible for CPT, a student must:
  • Complete at least one academic year (e.g. fall and spring) as a full-time student at a U.S. institution.
  • Receive an offer for a position (paid or unpaid) that is directly related to their major.
  • Qualify for CPT because it is required for their degree, required for their thesis/dissertation, or the student is enrolled in a course for academic credit.
• Before applying for CPT, students should review the information on our Curricular Practical Training page and discuss their employment opportunity with their academic advisor to ensure the opportunity is directly related to their degree program.