Georgia State University International Student & Scholar Services

Hello Panthers! The ISSS office will be closed starting Friday, December 15 at 5:15pm. ISSS will not be processing any e-forms, answering phones, or checking emails until Tuesday, January 2nd 2024 at 8:30am.

In case of emergency, please call GSU Police at 404-413-3333.

ISSS wishes you a happy and safe holiday break.

Congratulations to ISSS Graduate Assistant Yasmine Johnson!

Yasmine has worked with ISSS since Fall 2021 and has mainly been involved with supporting the ISSS social media activities. Congratulations!!! 🎉

Happy Monday International Panthers! The ISSS office wishes you good luck on your final examination (although we know you don't need it 😉)

Here are some study tips to help you prepare for your exams this week!

And remember: You got this! 😊

Hello International Panthers! Please join us in thanking Leah Creasy, Senior International Student Advisor of the ISSS office, for a year of service at GSU! 👏

We will certainly miss you and wish you great success on your future endeavors! ❤️💙🤍

Join us for this year’s American-International Thanksgiving Feast on Thursday November 16 at the Student Center East Ballroom!

Our international students and scholars are invited to experience a Thanksgiving lunch, learn a bit about American Thanksgiving, and share about their cultural holidays! RSVP is required because seats are limited. https://pin.gsu.edu/event/8108936

❗ Hello International Panthers! ❗ Please be advised that SEVIS regulations require all students holding F-1 or J-1 immigration status to maintain both a valid U.S. Local Address and a valid Out of Country address.

Students should verify their addresses in iStart. ISSS now has an eForm that makes it very easy for you to meet this requirement. To verify, please follow these simple steps:

1. Log into your iStart account
2. Select F-1 or J-1 Student Services (option is dependent on your immigration status)
3. Click on the eForm: Address & Phone Verification and follow the instructions.

In honor of International Education Week, the Perimeter College (Clarkston & Dunwoody campus) is hosting a full week of diverse events!

Please 👈 swipe for a variety of signature events!

Hello International Panthers, let the countdown begin! ⏱

We are officially one week away from International Education Week! Join us as we celebrate cultural diversity during International Education Week Nov. 6 – 10, 2023.

We have a inclusive week of engaging activities that both highlights and shares multi-national and cross-cultural opportunities!

For more information on all activities please visit: https://iew.gsu.edu/

Students graduating in December could qualify for Optional Practical Training (OPT)!

OPT is an authorization approved by the government that allows you to work within your field of study for up to 12 months after you have completed your program.

Students will need to apply for this benefit with USCIS. If you are interested in working after graduation, we recommend you apply for OPT as soon as possible!

For more information on OPT and the application process, visit our website https://isss.gsu.edu/current-students/f-1-students/f-1-employment/ -practical-training

We wish all of our International Panthers who celebrate this month a Happy LatinX Heritage Month!

LatinX Heritage Month celebrates the achievements and contributions of Hispanic American champions who have inspired others to achieve success.

A Happy New Year to all our International Panthers that celebrate this day!

A Happy Independence Day to our International family that celebrates this day!

The Trinidad and Tobago Independence Day is marked on August 31 every year as a day to commemorate the freedom of the nation.

Join the Multicultural Center and ISSS to welcome our international panthers for the fall semester! 🐾❤️

⏰: Thursday, August 31 @ 3-5p.m.
📍: Veterans Memorial Hall, Dahlberg Hall

This will be an opportunity for students of all cultures and communities to get to know one another and establish relationships that will build community at Georgia State!

Come ready to play a few games, learn about GSU, and much more! ✨

Hello International Panthers! Please join us in thanking Charlotte Roulet, Assistant Director of Incoming Service of the ISSS office, for 3 years of service at GSU! 👏

We will certainly miss you and wish you great success on your future endeavors! ❤️💙🤍

Hello International Panthers, advising is CANCELLED Friday, August 25. Advising will resume on Monday, August 28.

Please call the office at 404-413-2070 or email at [email protected] for assistance.

Welcome back to campus, Panthers! We are very excited to see you around and wish you have a wonderful first day of classes!

Attention, international panthers! ISSS Advising Hours are cancelled Tuesday, August 8th due to office training. Regular advising hours will resume on Wednesday, August 9th. Visit https://isss.gsu.edu/advising/ to view our scheduled advising hours and join the virtual queue.

Happy Monday International Panthers! The ISSS office wishes you good luck on your final examination (although we know you don't need it 😉)

Here are some study tips to help you prepare for your exams this week!

And remember: You got this! 😊

Hello International Panthers! If you’re interested in international affairs and want to grow your role in leadership, come stop by! There’s so many benefits that come with participating in MUN , come learn about all of them!

📍 Thursday, April 20 at SCW 464 from 12-5:30 p.m.

If you are an International graduate student and you are currently teaching or will be teaching a course at GSU in the near future, you may want to attend this webinar.

Friday April 21 - 11:00 am
U.S. Classroom Cultures for International Teaching Assistants:

No registration necessary.

This is the link to the Webinar:
https://gsumeetings.webex.com/meet/ypark41

Hello International Panthers, this week is National Student Worker Appreciation Week, where colleges and universities across the country recognize the importance of student employees!

In honor of this week, we wanted to show our appreciation for all the ISSS Student Staff! 👏🤩❤️💙🤍

We want to thank these students who perform outstanding work while in attending our great GSU, and make the ISSS office such a success!

Hello International Panthers, advising is CANCELLED next Monday, April 10.
Please call the office at 404-413-2070 or email at [email protected] for assistance.

Hello, International students, please make sure that you fulfill the enrollment requirements to maintain your immigration status.

Bring your friends and join for a unique cultural experience with performances, music, dance, games and prizes to win and free food!

🗓️: Wednesday April 5
⏰: 4:30-7pm
📍: Urban Life Building

RSVP here: https://pin.gsu.edu/event/8989221

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS 🗣

Do you know an outstanding faculty member, staff member or student who deserves recognition for their international engagement? Do you know an outstanding international alum who deserves recognition for her or his accomplishments?

Then this is your chance to nominate them for the International Undergraduate and Graduate Student of the Year Award! 🤩👏

Awards are given during the annual International Honorary Reception during International Education Week in November.

Nominate by April 7, 2023 and complete the application form on the OII website: https://international.gsu.edu/initiatives/international-education-week/awards/

Hello International Panthers, it's that time of the year!

Swipe 👈 for important tax information.

If you were physically in the U.S. even 1 day during the previous tax year (Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2022), then you have at least 1 IRS form to complete even if you had no income. If you worked and earned any amount of income in 2022, then you must file a complete federal tax return. If you were in the U.S. in 2022 and are currently outside of the U.S., please prepare to mail your tax paperwork from your home country to IRS.IRS Deadline to submit tax form(s): April 18th, 2023.

ISSS offers FREE tax prep software called Sprintax that is designed specifically for non-residents. ISSS advises you to ONLY use Sprintax, which is now available.

Request your free code by submitting the 2023 Tax Helper eform in iStart under the Taxes section.

A Happy Ramadan to our International Family that celebrates this month!

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim, Islamic calendar, a religious annual observance and month of fasting that is considered to be one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

All are welcome to join us and the University Career Services , for the Job Search for International Students event on Thursday March 30 from 1-3p.m.

Discover strategies and resources for a US job search and get and get information about what work can be done on which visas. You can attend in person or virtually through the link below:

https://gsu.joinhandshake.com/stu/events/1252919

If you are an International graduate student and you are currently teaching or will be teaching a course at GSU in the near future, you may want to attend this webinar.

Friday March 24 - 11:00 am
Why We Say What We Say in Class: Language functions and patterns

No registration necessary.

This is the link to the Webinar:
https://gsumeetings.webex.com/meet/ypark41

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the expansion of premium processing for certain F-1 students. For the first time, Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service, is also available to file online for students seeking optional practical training (OPT) or science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) OPT.

The premium processing expansion for certain F-1 students will occur in phases.

Beginning March 6, they will accept Form I-907 requests, filed via paper form or online, for certain F-1 students who have a pending Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, if they are filing under one of these categories:

(c)(3)(A) – Pre-Completion OPT;
(c)(3)(B) – Post-Completion OPT; and
(c)(3)(C) – 24-Month Extension of OPT for STEM students.

Beginning April 3, they will accept Form I-907 requests, filed via paper form or online, for F-1 students in the above categories when filed together with a Form I-765.

For more information please visit: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/uscis-announces-premium-processing-new-online-filing-procedures-for-certain-f-1-students-seeking-opt