International Students
Pre-arrival support
Community Chat Group & Insider’s Guide for Incoming International LGS Students
The 2026 LGS International Student Liaisons, a dedicated group of upper-level international LGS students, are available to answer any pre-arrival questions on a group chat in What’s App. They also created an “Insider’s Guide” with information and tips to help smooth your transition. Reach out to fellow graduate students Assis Siyadri or Dalia Barragan Cabrera to get connected.
Resources from Emory’s International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS)
ISSS has a “Life in the US” page that you may find useful. For visa/immigration questions, you can find your ISSS advisor here.
Degree-Program Resources Contact your graduate program administrator (see list here) to see what resources they have for your cohort.
Zoom Q&A with International Graduate Students & Scholars (IGSS)
Date/Time: Friday, June 19, 9–11 am ET (via Zoom)
The student leadership team of the International Graduate Students & Scholars – an official student organization - will be available on Zoom to share information and answer your questions.
- Mark your calendar for June 19 at 9 am and then contact IGSS President Ankita Misra for the Zoom online meeting link.
English Language Support
The LGS Professional and Academic Communication Support (Laney-PACS) program offers various levels of support for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers who use English as an additional language . For a list of our Fall 2026 courses and other writing and speaking support, visit here.
- You can also contact Laney-PACS director, Heather Boldt (hboldt@emory.edu) with questions. We are here to help you advance your writing and oral communication skills for success in graduate school and beyond.
Welcome Week and other LGS events beginning August 20
Information Session and Welcome Dinner for New International Students (optional)
Date/Time: Thursday, August 20, 3:00–4:30 pm
Location: Emory Student Center, MPR 1-3
Meet other incoming international students during this session, led by your 2nd- and 3rd-year international LGS students. They will share resources and strategies to help smooth your transition to graduate school. The session ends at 4:30 PM, followed by a required session for students on F-1 visas led by Emory’s International Student & Scholar Services (4:30–5:30). If interested, you are then invited to a light dinner (5:30–6:00).
Registration required: https://forms.office.com/r/1VXyP3AZyg
Let’s talk about your immigration status - required for students on F1-Visas:
Date/Time: Thursday, August 20, 4:30-5:30 pm
Location: Emory Student Center, 1-3-MPR
Virtual: Zoom
Required session hosted by International Student & Scholar Services, covering essential info about maintaining your F-1 visa status. If interested, you are invited to stay for a light dinner from 5:30-6 pm.
Registration required: https://forms.office.com/r/1VXyP3AZyg
LGS Pop-up Café
Date/Time: Wednesday, August 26, 9-11 am
Location: The Quad
Get a great start to your first day of classes! Stop by for free coffee, tea, and breakfast pastries on your way to class for this great opportunity to connect with other students and your LGS student experience team.
Resources from Emory's International Students and Scholars Services
IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS
Emory’s International Students and Scholars Services (ISSS) assists students with immigration matters, issues such as student visas, maintaining F-1 or J-1 status, employment regulations, research abroad, leaves of absence, extending your period of study, and more.
You will obtain documentation needed for your visa application from ISSS and have an assigned ISSS advisor, which can be found here. Each international student’s circumstance varies, and ISSS is the best source for information about next steps.
Visit the ISSS website for information on:
- Getting Your Student Visa and details on visa application documents (I-20s and DS-2019s)
- Immigration questions can be directed to your ISSS advisor or to ISSS at newfjstudent@emory.edu
U.S. Tax Responsibilities
New graduatePhD students must contact Emory’s Nonresident Tax Office for guidance on completing tax forms. First, complete the Foreign National Information System (FNIS), which determines your U.S. tax status and generates required forms. To begin, email nonresident.tax@emory.edu to request FNIS login credentials. You will receive a link, username, temporary password, and instructions. After you submit FNIS, a Nonresident Tax Specialist will review your information and email next steps for accessing, printing, and signing your forms. Important: Do not complete tax forms on the Emory Orientation website