Welcome to the Office of International Education (OIE) “J-Buzz” monthly newsletter! OIE is thrilled to provide a dedicated space for participants in the BridgeUSA program.

J-1 exchange visitors at Georgia Tech—whether Research Scholars, Short-term Scholars, Student Interns, degree-seeking students, or Fulbright participants—can stay informed with valuable BridgeUSA program updates, connect with advisors, and discover programming events on campus and in the surrounding community.

Hi there! My name is Kimberly Young, and I’m one of the Associate Directors of International Student and Scholar Services within OIE. I have the pleasure of overseeing the BridgeUSA program. I joined Georgia Tech in 2023 and bring over 20 years of experience in international education. I’m passionate about this field and love supporting scholars in achieving their goals. Outside of work, I enjoy hiking, antiquing, line dancing, and spending time with friends and family.

Hi friends! My name is Sarah Scott. I have worked as an international student and scholar advisor for 8 years with 5 of those years being at Georgia Tech. I have always been drawn to the field of international education and love working with J-1 Exchange Visitors to help them feel welcome and supported during their time in the U.S.. In my free time I enjoy cooking, crafting, seeing live music, and spending time with my dog (Bela) and 2 cats (Muffin & Nathan).

Before traveling outside the United States, check any travel advisories on the U.S. Department of State website here.

When traveling outside the United States, be sure to request an updated travel signature on your DS-2019. Travel signatures are good for 6 months to 1 year, depending on your J-1 category. Requesting a travel signature is easy; simply log into istart.gatech.edu and submit the travel signature e-form under the appropriate menu for your status and category. 

No travel signature is needed when traveling within the United States.

Visit OIE’s Travel website for additional resources on traveling outside the United States.

The Department of State mandates that all J-1 visa holders and J-2 dependents maintain health insurance for the duration of their program. Be sure to renew your health insurance before it expires and submit an updated copy of your policy coverage to OIE.
For more information on health insurance requirements, please visit our website here. 

Do you need additional time to complete your research project? Coordinate with your hosting department’s HR administrator to request an extension of your DS-2019. They will submit the request on your behalf for OIE's review.

Please visit our website for more information about the extension process and eligibility requirements. 

GTPD Phone: (404) 894-2500
GTPD Email: crimeprevention@police.gatech.edu
OIE Scam Information: https://isss.oie.gatech.edu/content/scams-101

On December 9, 2024, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced a major update to the Exchange Visitor Skills List (2024 Skills List), which removed 37 countries from the list.

What is the Skills list?

The Exchange Visitor Skills List helps determine whether certain J-1 visa holders must return to their home country after their program ends. If an Exchange Visitor’s country and specialized field are on the Skills List, they are required to return to their country of citizenship or last permanent residence for at least two years before becoming eligible to apply for certain immigration benefits.

Key changes

The updated Skills List eliminates the 212 (e) two-year home residency requirement for J-1 visa holders from several countries, including Brazil, China, India, South Korea, Sri Lanka, and Turkey.  Review the U.S. Department of State updated Skill List by Country for a complete list of countries removed.

Immediate Impact of J Exchange Visitors

The revised Skills List is retroactive. Exchange Visitors who were previously on the Skills List and subject to the two-year home residence requirement under previous versions of the Skills List will no longer be subject to that requirement if their country is not designated in the revised 2024 Skills List.

Exchange Visitors no longer subject based on the Skills List can now do the following without first having to spend two years in their home country or seek a waiver of the two-year requirement.

Change from J status to any status from within the U.S.

Obtain an H or L nonimmigrant visa; and/or

Obtain U.S. permanent residence.

Exceptions:

This change does not affect Exchange Visitors who have received funding from their home government or the U.S. Government (such as Fulbright) or received U.S. graduate medical education or training (e.g. ECFMG). In these instances, the 212 (e) still applies.

US Department of State Resources

About the Exchange Visitor Skills List

Advisory Opinion Guidance

2009 Skills List

2024 Skills List

All new J-1 Scholars and Student Interns are required to attend a mandatory orientation session with OIE after their arrival. If you have not attended an orientation session yet, please see our website here for the schedule of orientations and to register for the next one.

The next orientation will be held on January 31st from 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM EST.

Register in advance for this webinar:
https://gatech.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_J9Gy47WkSn6yoHpf3azcYQ

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Looking for activities around Atlanta? Explore Discover Atlanta for year-round family fun!

Visit OIE's webpage here for a list of attractions and restaurants in and around Atlanta.

Buzz was recently spotted exploring the scenic trails at Hard Labor Creek State Park near Rutledge, GA. This park boasts over 24 miles of trails, ranging from easy to challenging, all clearly marked with color-coded signs and arrows corresponding to the trail you're on (Orange Loop, Purple Connector, Blue Loop, Green Loop, and Red Loop).

The Orange and Purple trails are ideal for families and beginner hikers, but Buzz decided to take on a more adventurous route—the Red Trail, a 5.3-mile loop. Along the way, Buzz relished the crisp morning air, greeted fellow hikers, and paused to enjoy the serene beauty of the riverbed. The trail meandered through sloping terrain, featuring lush, fern-covered stream beds that added to the tranquility of the hike.

It was a great day on the trails, and Buzz can’t wait to share stories from his next adventure!

Would you like a spotlight in our newsletter? 

Submit yours here!

Talking points and photo ideas include:

Groundbreaking research you've been involved in (please do not include any classified information. Write in layman's terms for all to understand)

Your favorite food from either your home country or that you've had in the U.S.

Your experience in the U.S. as an exchange visitor

Your favorite place you've visited in the U.S.

A fun activity you've engaged in while in the U.S.

What you do in your free time

Tell us about yourself or your family

The Atlanta Metro & Georgia school system offers a wide variety of public, private, and specialty schools. Public schools are free to attend, and you can register your children online anytime. To attend a public school, you will have to be “zoned” for that school. This means that your place of residence will determine which public school your child can attend. Private schools are not free to attend (you must pay tuition every month) and sometimes require a supplemental application to determine whether your child qualifies to attend. You do not have to be “zoned” for a private school. There is oftentimes a bus system for public schools that will pick up and take home your children every day. Private schools often do not provide transportation to and from school.

Follow these links to research the school rankings in the Atlanta Metro area to choose the best option for your child: https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-school-districts/m/atlanta-metro-area/

Follow these links to research our school systems and register your child for school: https://www.atlantapublicschools.us/

Your J-2 spouse can apply for work authorization in the US by filing a Form I-765 with USCIS. When the Form I-765 is approved, USCIS will mail your spouse a plastic work card known as “EAD” or “Employment Authorization Document”. Without this work card, your spouse cannot work in the US and will not be eligible for a Social Security Number (SSN).

J-2 dependent spouses are eligible to enroll in classes at any college or university in the U.S. either part time or full time in a vocational or degree seeking capacity.

GTLI offers English language courses to both J-1's and their J-2 spouses. They are a great opportunity to practice your English language skills and meet new people and make connections. You can learn more about these classes here. 

Have Questions Related to your Sponsorship and/or GT?

We understand that your Fulbright advisors will manage your J-1 immigration status, but as your local International Office, we would like to complement their support.

You can find information and/or get in contact with us in the following ways:

Visit our Sponsored Student website

Submit any questions or concerns to jscholars@oie.gatech.edu

Come to Virtual Drop-In Advising Hours or book an appointment with the GT J-1 Advisor

New Student Resources: https://isss.oie.gatech.edu/ISSS_New

Fulbright Online: Foreign.FulbrightOnline.org

IIE Student Portal: Portal.iie.org