Newly Admitted Students

Congratulations! You have been accepted to Georgia Southern University! Here are the next steps to work on before you join us here on campus:

An I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility) is the immigration document you will need to apply for an F-1 visa. You must be officially accepted and submit the required documentation for the I-20 Request in the ISAP Portal before we can issue you an I-20. Note: While ISAP suggests starting to collect information and documents you will need for the I-20 as soon as you apply, you will not be able to submit the I-20 Request form in the ISAP Portal unless/until you have received an official admissions offer to Georgia Southern.

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT HOW TO REQUEST AN I-20 FROM ISAP.

1. Request an I-20 and get a Visa

● To see funding amount requirements and determine how much funding you may need to provide:

Undergraduate Student Funding Calculator

Graduate Student Funding Calculator

● Students who are transferring their F-1 visa status from another U.S. institution need to submit a SEVIS Transfer In Request Form to their current school in order to have their SEVIS record transferred to Georgia Southern. The form should be uploaded to the I-20 Request form in the ISAP portal.

● International students who do not have a F-1 student status are recommended to make the change to F-1 status. Changing Non-Immigrant Visa Status Handout

Pay I-901 Fee 

You must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee at least 3 days prior to your visa appointment. Note: If you are already in the U.S. in F-1 or J-1 visa status or you have paid this fee within the last 12 months and were denied a visa, you do not have to pay this fee again. You will only need to present the receipt for your previous payment.

Apply for Visa 

Consult the U.S. Department of State’s website for a list of U.S. embassies and consulates and for information on what you will need for your visa appointment. Study in the States is also a great resource for helping to understand the visa process.

To request an Emergency/Expedited Visa (F1) Appointment*

*Important Note: This information is taken from U.S. embassy websites for The Bahamas, Nigeria, and Honduras. You should always check the website of the U.S. embassy you will have your visa appointment at, or contact the embassy directly, for further detail and/or if you have any questions. Visa procedures are subject to change by any U.S. embassy at any time with or without notice.

Requirements

• Program must begin within 60 days with no regular appointments available before the program start date. 
• If a student was refused a visa in the last six months they will not be eligible for this request.
• Documented proof is required – Form I-20 and SEVIS fee payment receipt (when applicable)

Steps to take if you meet the Requirements

• Pay the application visa fee Complete application form (DS-160)
• Schedule an appointment on earliest date available (Your appointment has to be scheduled before expedition is requested)
• Complete the Emergency Request form on your profile, making sure to state the reason for the expedited appointment is to begin or resume a valid program of study in the US within 60 days.
• Wait for a response from embassy in email
• If your appointment request is approved you will cancel the existing appointment and follow the instructions to schedule an expedited appointment in the email sent to you.
• When you go to your appointment you should have the following:
  • A printed copy of your appointment letter
  • Form DS-160 confirmation 
  • One photograph taken within the last 6 months 
  • Current and any expired passports 
  • Original visa fee payment receipt
  • Copies of financial documents (if possible) and/or any other documents required by your U.S. embassy for a visa appointment (see note above)

2. Apply for Housing (Before Arriving in U.S.)

Freshmen must live on-campus. All other students may choose to live on-campus or off-campus. On-campus housing is limited to single students.

Graduate students at Statesboro campus: On-campus housing is extremely limited and undergraduate students receive priority. It is unlikely that on-campus housing will become available, so ISAP recommends that you investigate off-campus housing options (some suggestions here) as soon as possible, and definitely before you arrive in the United States. There is typically no problem with securing on-campus housing for any student that requests it at the Armstrong (Savannah) campus.

3. Submit Completed Certificate of Immunization

The Certificate of Immunization is available on the Georgia Southern University Health Services website and a copy is mailed with your I-20. Once you register for classes and have access to your MyGeorgiaSouthern account, you may upload this form and complete the two additional forms (the Medical History and the Tuberculosis Screening Questionnaire). Go to my.georgiasouthern.edu, select Eagle OSH, and click on Uploads to upload your immunization record.

4. Sign Up for International Orientation

International Undergraduate Orientation (SOAR) is a unique experience for new international students to become acquainted with Georgia Southern, the ISAP staff, and the culture of the US. It is required for all new undergraduate international students. The cost is $65, plus $15 for each additional guest (no limit to how many guests you can bring).

• Register for Undergraduate orientation (SOAR) here. International SOAR will take place:
  • Statesboro: TBD
• Graduate orientation for international students will take place (instructions to indicate your attendance will be provided via email):
  • Statesboro: TBD

5. Make Travel Arrangements 

Savannah/Hilton Head International is the closest airport to campus. Contact the Office of International Student Admissions and Programs at international@georgiasouthern.edu for information on transportation from the airport. A taxi may cost up to $100 to the Statesboro campus and up to $40 to the Savannah campus, but an Uber or Lyft may be more affordable. 

● Undergraduate students should plan on arriving to campus during the days leading up to SOAR.

● Students in Initial status may enter the United States no more than 30 days before the program start date listed on your Form I-20.

6. Prepare to Pay Tuition and Fees

All of your tuition and fees for the first semester must be paid by the first day of classes. To estimate your bill, and learn about payment options, see the Student Accounts section of the Bursar’s Office website.