Office of Global Services
The Office of Global Services (OGS) performs two primary functions: (1) facilitating the global activities of students, faculty, departments, and schools; and (2) supporting non-US citizen students and scholars who hold university-based immigration status.
OGS coordinates and advises on various programs that promote cross-cultural understanding across the University, such as the Global Expo, a campus-wide celebration of Georgetown’s international diversity. OGS and its campus partners also offer social and developmental programs throughout the year. F-1 and J-1 students contribute meaningfully to these experiences, as members of the International Student Association, as International Ambassadors pre- and post-arrival, and as OGS student employees.
Global Program Support Services
Global Program Support Services (GPS) collaborates closely with Georgetown departments to facilitate Graduate credit and non-credit-bearing international activities and Undergraduate non-credit-bearing international activities. GPS also works with departments to develop and execute agreements with international partner institutions. Additionally, GPS oversees operations at Georgetown’s Villa Le Balze in Fiesole, Italy, which hosts various university programs and conferences.
Please visit the Office of Global Services website for more information about GPS.
International Student and Scholar Services
Georgetown takes great pride in the more than 3,500 international students, researchers, professors, and staff who each contribute to our uniquely intercultural learning environment.
International Student & Scholar Services (IS) liaises between the Georgetown community and U.S. immigration authorities, including the administration of Georgetown’s J-1 Exchange Visitor Program, a U.S. Department of State initiative aimed at fostering global understanding.
The International Student Services team of the Office of Global Services (OGS) works to equip F-1 and J-1 students and alumni with the knowledge they need to uphold the conditions of U.S. presence and maximize their immigration benefits in the United States. Our mission is: (1) To empower each student to navigate this academic, social, and regulatory context; (2) To aid academic departments in supporting F-1 and J-1 students to complete their degree; and (3) To preserve the University’s institutional immigration compliance.
IS Advisors help F-1 and J-1 students maintain lawful U.S. immigration status throughout and beyond their academic degree program. OGS provides comprehensive guidance on numerous matters of critical importance to student success; e.g. internship authorization, U.S. tax filing, post-graduation U.S. work permit, etc. IS Advisors speak with students about sociocultural challenges and offer limited support regarding the logistics of living and learning in Washington, DC.
IS issues the document that admitted international students need to obtain an F-1 or J-1 visa from a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad before studying at Georgetown. Undergraduate degree, transfer, exchange, and visiting GU-Qatar students who enter the United States in F-1 or J-1 status complete online International Student Orientation in Canvas and attend a mandatory in-person Immigration Session as part of New Student Orientation (NSO).
Additional information and resources for F-1 and J-1 international students are available on the International Student & Scholar Services website.