G&EE Pre-Arrival Newsletter Two: |
Arrival in Washington, D.C. |
|
|
Hello! This week's newsletter covers topics related to your arrival in Washington D.C., including immigration procedures, transportation, and required orientations for international students:
|
|
|
- Preparing to Enter the U.S.
- Arrival and Public Transportation
- Upcoming Events
|
As always, if you have any questions, please email us at sbglobal@gwu.edu.
Best,
Elisa Boyea
Program Manager
International Student Services
|
| |
|
Preparing to Enter the U.S. |
|
|
Obtaining Your Student Visa |
|
|
After you have received your I-20 or DS-2019 from GW, you must obtain your U.S. visa. The U.S. Department of State is responsible for issuing student visas. Requirements and procedures vary between countries. However, be prepared to present at least the following documents to your U.S. Embassy or Consulate:
|
|
|
| -
The I-20 or DS-2019 issued by GW.
- Your valid passport.
- An original letter of admission to GW.
- Original financial documentation in English. This documentation should match the funding section on your I-20/DS-2019.
-
Evidence of strong ties to your home country. This should be a cultural, social, professional, or other aspect of your life that serves to bind you to your country of residence.
|
|
|
Be sure to contact your U.S. Embassy or Consulate and review their website for information on specific visa application requirements, procedures, and processing times.
|
|
|
F-1 and J-1 visa holders are permitted to enter the U.S. no more than 30 days prior to the start date listed on their I-20 or DS-2019.
It is important that you enter the country on the proper visa type (F-1 or J-1). To do so, you must present the following to an immigration officer at the port of entry:
|
- Your passport.
-
Your U.S. F-1 or J-1 visa stamp for GW.
- Your I-20 or DS-2019.
|
| |
|
If you enter the U.S. on a B-1 or B-2 visa or on the Visa Waiver Program (i.e., with no visa), you will not be able to study until your immigration status changes. Please note, you will not be able to update your immigration status to student status while in the U.S.
If you forget an immigration document, the immigration officer may issue you a Form I-515 (A), which is a temporary 30-day admission. If this happens, go to the International Services Office (ISO) as soon as possible.
|
|
|
Arrival & Public Transportation |
|
|
One of your first steps when you arrive on-campus should be to check-in with the ISO: Within 1-2 days of arriving in the U.S., you need to complete the ISO Check-In in ISOGateway.
Please note, all GWSB international students must check-in with the ISO! This includes initial students, SEVIS Transfers, and Change of Level students.
The ISO Check-In is mandatory and must be completed to activate your SEVIS record - if you do not complete your ISO Check-In, your F-1 or J-1 immigration status will be at risk!
|
|
|
Getting to the GW Foggy Bottom Campus |
|
|
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
|
|
|
DCA is the closest airport to GW’s campus, about 6 miles (9km) away from campus. To get from DCA to GW's campus, you have the following options:
|
- DC Metro: Take the Blue Line to the Foggy Bottom/GWU Station.
- Taxi/Uber/Lyft: Costs between $15 and $25.
|
|
|
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
|
| |
IAD is located in Virginia, about 20 miles (30 km) from downtown Washington, D.C. To get from IAD to GW's campus, you have the following options:
|
-
DC Metro: Take the Silver Line to the Foggy Bottom/GWU Station.
- Taxi/Uber/Lyft: Costs between $50 and $100.
|
|
|
Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI)
|
|
|
BWI is located in Maryland, about 33 miles (53km) from D.C. To get from BWI to GW's campus, you have the following options:
|
-
MARC Train + DC Metro: The Penn Line goes to Union Station, which is on the D.C. Metro's Red Line. Please Note: MARC Train service operates on a limited schedule on
Saturdays and Sundays. Train schedules can be found here: Penn Line Schedule. -
Amtrak Train + DC Metro: Amtrak goes to Union Station, which is on the D.C. Metro's Red Line.
- Taxi/Uber/Lyft: Costs between $100 and $150.
|
|
|
Getting to the GW Foggy Bottom Campus |
|
|
One of the many great things about Washington, D.C. is that there are many forms of public transportation!
|
-
Metro: The D.C. subway system, referred to as the Metro, is a safe and inexpensive method of transportation throughout D.C. and parts of Virginia and Maryland. See a map of the D.C. Metro below!
-
MetroBus: The MetroBus is a public bus system.
- Taxi and Uber/Lyft: D.C. has many taxi options, and depending on where you want to go, taking either a taxi or rideshare like Uber or Lyft can be a convenient way to get around the city.
-
Campus Shuttles: GW maintains three shuttles that go between GW’s campuses: 1) Mount Vernon Campus Express (VEX), 2) VSTC Express, and 3) Innovation Center Metro Shuttle.
-
Capital Bikeshare: Capital Bikeshare is a program in the District that allows customers to rent bikes throughout D.C. and the surrounding areas.
|
|
|
Spring 2026 Pre-Arrival Q&A Session |
|
|
|
Join the GWSB Global & Experiential Education (G&EE) team and International Student Advisory Board (ISAB) for the Spring 2026 GWSB Pre-Arrival Q&A Session!
During this optional session you'll have the chance to ask questions, get advice on GW's processes and procedures, and connect with current GWSB international students to get their perspectives about life at GW. The Spring 2026 Pre-Arrival Q&A will start with a brief presentation, but the majority of the session will be dedicated to an open Q&A with Elisa and members of the GWSB International Student Advisory Board (ISAB)!
|
|
|
Friday, December 5, 2025, 9:00-10:00am EST
|
Spring 2026 Pre-Arrival Q&A Session
Hosted by GWSB Global & Experiential Education
Location: Zoom - Link will be sent in the registration confirmation email
Register Here!
|
|
|
Note that the below-listed mandatory orientations will be held in the month of January and will provide pertinent information for international students relating to immigration and the academic culture at GWSB. These sessions are required of ALL GWSB international graduate students studying on an F-1 or J-1 visa:
|
|
|
Tuesday, January 6, 2026, 10:00-11:30am EST
|
ISO F-1 International Student Orientation
Hosted by the International Services Office (ISO)
Location: Zoom - Link will be sent in the registration confirmation email
Register Here!
|
|
|
Tuesday, January 6, 2026, 1:30-4:00pm EST
| Spring 2026 GWSB International Student Orientation
Hosted by GWSB Global & Experiential Education (G&EE)
Location: Zoom - Link will be sent in the registration confirmation email
Register Here!
For questions, please email G&EE at sbglobal@gwu.edu.
See You There!
|
|
|
PROGRAM-SPECIFIC ORIENTATIONS
|
Please contact your academic department for dates and times of program-specific orientation sessions
|
|
|
Copyright © 2025 GWSB, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you are currently enrolled in a Master's program at The George
Washington University School of Business. If you are receiving this message in error, please contact us
immediately.
Our mailing address is:
GWSB
2201 G Street NW
Duques Hall, Suite 550
Washington, DC 20052
|
|
|
Manage your preferences | Opt Out using TrueRemove™
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.
|
2201 G st NW Suite 551 | Washington, DC 20052 US
|
|
|
This email was sent to .
To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.
| |
|
|
