An executive order (EO) went into effect March 16, 2017, which impacts visa issuance and travel for individuals who hold a temporary visa. The Office of International Education (OIE) is sensitive to the impact of this EO on students and continue to be a resource and advocate to Georgia Tech’s international student and scholar community.

Georgia Tech is a place where complex problems are defined, studied, and resolved by a community of diverse perspectives and cultures. As an essential member of this academic community, your student’s commitment to achieving their personal and academic goals sustains the Institute’s overarching mission.

OIE is one of many places on campus where support is available to help students maintain focus and continue the important work they are doing. In that spirit, OIE would like to provide specific and clear guidance to minimize uncertainty where possible.

International Students Traveling Abroad

Individuals who are citizens of one of the six countries (Iran, Sudan, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, Syria) listed in the executive order are advised to travel abroad only if the visa stamp in the passport is going to be valid upon the planned date of return to the U.S. For those with an expired visa stamp, consultation with an international student and scholar advisor and/or a qualified immigration attorney is recommended prior to scheduling any international travel.

As a result of the EO, international students traveling outside of the U.S. with an expired F or J visa (including to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean) may experience delays with visa issuance as a result of the suspension of the Visa Interview Waiver program. We urge students to visit our office during walk-in advising hours (Monday-Friday from 1–4:30 p.m). Our advising staff will review immigration documents under the current immigration rules, offer re-entry advising, including travel signatures if applicable.

Students holding an F or J visa are expected to keep their immigration documents together, in a safe place and ensure the documents are valid at all times. This includes keeping the passport valid for six months beyond the end date listed on their immigration form. When traveling around the Atlanta city limits, students can do so with their Georgia Tech student ID/BuzzCard and a copy of their passport, I-20 and visa stamp. Students who have a valid U.S. driver’s license may also choose to carry this form of identification. When traveling outside the city of Atlanta where it is more difficult to retrieve the original documents, we advise students to carry their original immigration documents with them.

US Citizens Traveling Internationally

The EO does not create changes for students traveling abroad who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Georgia Tech policy prevents the Institute from operating programs in countries under a Department of State Travel Warning. Further, GT cautions against personal travel to countries under current Travel Warnings including the six countries included in the EO. Students should travel with their passport (that is valid for six months beyond the return date) and should have all necessary visas for study abroad (where applicable). Students should contact their individual programs for visa information and are encouraged to register for the government’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program or STEP Travel Registration program. Students, even those not participating in OIE study abroad programs, are encouraged to register their travel with OIE.