Embedded Files
Students and scholars experiencing any emergency or challenges with law enforcement should call GUPD at 202-687-4343. There is always an OGS team member on call, so GUPD will route your call to them.
Resources for International Students and Scholars (as shared in the February 18, 2026 OGS webinar)
Contacting OGS:
Students, administrators, and faculty can find the IS Advisor currently assigned to their program or department/unit on our website’s Contact Us webpage.
Email: Best way for students to receive immigration guidance and answers to questions.
F-1 Virtual/In-person Walk-In Advising: Short (5 - 8 minute) meeting with advisor for general questions. No appointment needed. Available at Main and Capitol campuses.
F-1 and J-1 Zoom Advising Appointments: For in-depth discussion of student immigration issues and concerns. Meetings may be redirected to email as appropriate.
Students need to schedule Zoom advising appointments at least 24 hours in advance. Email inquiries receive a response within 2-3 business days.
Traveling Outside the US:
Georgetown University is carefully following recent executive orders and immigration policy updates. Immigration changes can occur at any time, so please be sure to refer to OGS's website, where they outline the implications of the most recent executive orders. Before traveling outside of the U.S. at this time, students, faculty, and staff should carefully consider the risks of not being able to return to the U.S. to continue their academic program, research, or teaching for an unknown period of time.
At all times, students/scholars should carry proof of their immigration status:
Copy of your Form I-20 / Form DS-2019 (F-1 and J-1)
Copy of I-94 record showing immigration status in the U.S.
Copy of your passport
Physical Identification (GU ID Card, Driver’s License, or State/DC Identification Card)
If you would like to take additional measures to prepare for the possibility of extra questioning, Kristen is happy to provide a letter confirming your enrollment in GHD, enrollment dates, etc.
When preparing to return to the United States:
Remove all photos from your phone, and be conscious of your social media history
Share your flight information with the GHD team
Contact a member of the GHD team when you arrive in the U.S. and clear customs. That way, if we haven't heard from you, we can contact OGS to see if they have heard anything about students being detained at a point of entry.
If you are detained at a point of entry, you should ask to speak with an embassy official immediately, since OGS can't intervene until you're officially on U.S. soil (in other words, until you have cleared customs)
OGS and SFS Policies and Resources
SFS International Student Handbook
International Student & Scholar Services
International Student & Scholar Services Staff
Preparing Immigration Documents, Health Records and Orientation
International Graduate Student Orientation
International Student Pre-Arrival Checklist
Visa and Legal Status
Biographical and Address information under Personal Information (Please update upon arrival)
Students need to report address changes within 10 calendar days in GU Experience. J-1 Scholars must report address changes directly to their OGS Advisor. H-1B, E-3, O-1 and TN scholars must report address changes to OGS and directly to the U.S. government.
Travel Out & Reentry to the United States
Know Your Rights (important for protests)
Understanding the Difference Between Judicial Warrants and Ice Warrants
Financial and On-Campus Employment Resources
OGS outlines policies around on-campus employment here.
20 hours/week maximum: All F-1/J-1 students may work on-campus for Georgetown up to 20 hours per week during the academic term. First-year international students are only authorized to work in on-campus jobs. Remote work from an off-campus location is not permitted. Students who would like to work for an on-campus student service that is not directly paid by Georgetown, such as a restaurant at the Leavey Center Hoya Court, must consult their International Student Advisor for approval. A Social Security Number (SSN) is a requirement to work at Georgetown.
J-1 students are unique: To work on campus, J-1 students must receive authorization from OGS prior to beginning work (each year and for each new position).
Off-Campus Student Employment
OGS outlines the process by which you should go about applying for Curricular Practical Training (OPT) here. Please pay special attention to the rules around off-campus employment, as adherence to them is critical to maintaining your visa status. In particular:
"Employment opportunities for F-1 and J-1 international students are restricted. Never accept or engage in paid or unpaid off-campus employment, internships, fellowships, or other training without prior authorization from OGS. International students should not plan to meet their education or personal living expenses through employment earnings."
OGS maintains a list of organizations that have in the past granted internships to Georgetown international students via CPT, as well as employed recent graduates in their OPT period. You must be logged in with a Georgetown email address to view the list, which you can find here.
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
F-1 students qualify for up to 12 months of Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) that directly relates to their field of study. Students must apply for post-completion OPT up to 90 days before or 60 days after the program completion date, and OPT start dates will vary depending on the student's circumstances.
Your OPT start date can be any of the 60 days after your Form I-20 program end date. You won’t know your official OPT start date until you receive the EAD card from USCIS. After your OPT start date, you can be unemployed for up to 90 days during the authorization.
Trade-offs: Earlier start date = Availability to begin working vs. deadline to begin working. Later start date = Employer may need to wait longer for your services, but you have more time to find your first OPT role.
Consider personal factors like wanting to travel home after graduation, which may motivate you to apply early as possible for a later OPT start date (see below for more OPT travel guidance).
STEM Optional Practical Training (STEM OPT)
Since GHD is a STEM-certified program, F-1 students are eligible to extend their OPT up to 24 additional months. You can apply for STEM OPT as early as 90 days prior to and no later than the end of your current period of Post-Completion OPT. All materials must be received by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) by the expiration date on your OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
Page updated
Report abuse