Lawful Presence

The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia requires University System Institutions to verify the lawful presence in the United States of all admitted students prior to enrollment. Please review the specific ways you can verify your lawful presence below. Upload eligible documents through your admission portal and allow a minimum of three to five business days for processing and admission portal updates.

If the lawful presence verification requirement has not been satisfied by the enrollment deposit deadline of your enrollment term, then a lawful presence hold will be placed on your record. This hold does prevent course registration until it is satisfied.

U.S. Citizens

Students who file a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and are eligible for federal aid may have their lawful presence verified as part of this process.

  • A current Driver's License issued by the State of Georgia. Temporary/interim paper licenses and licenses marked “limited term” are not acceptable. We require the front and back side of your Driver's License.

  • A current Driver’s License issued by a U.S. state that issues REAL ID compliant licenses. Only unexpired licenses with the REAL ID symbol may be accepted. Click here for a list of eligible states and the requirements for acceptance. We require the front and back side of your Driver's License.

  • A copy of an original or certified U.S. birth certificate issued by a state, county, municipal authority, or territory of the United States bearing an official seal. The copy must clearly show the raised or written seal to be acceptable. Copies that are not clear or do not show the seal cannot be accepted.

  • A current ID issued by the State of Georgia after January 1, 2008.

  • A U.S. Certificate of Naturalization (USCIS form N-550 or N-570).

  • A U.S. Certificate of Citizenship (USCIS form N-560 or N-561).

  • A U.S. Certificate of Birth Abroad issued by the Department of State (DS1350) or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240).

  • A current U.S. Passport.

  • A current military ID (service member only, not dependent). Service members must present the military ID to our Registrar’s office for further documentation. A photocopy is not acceptable.

  • A current, valid Permanent Resident Card (USCIS form I-151 or I-551). We require the front and back side of your Permanent Resident Card. It must not expire before the first day of class of the term.

Non U.S. Citizens

If you are a U.S. Permanent Resident, upload a front and back copy of your current, valid Permanent Resident Card (USCIS form I-151 or I551).

If you are a pending U.S. Permanent Resident, upload a copy of your pending I-485 receipt notice and your current visa. If you have a temporary work card, please send us a copy.

If you are an F-1 or J-1 international student to be sponsored by Georgia Tech, you will complete the virtual Office of International Education (OIE) Check-in. More information about the Check-In can be found on OIE’s website: https://isss.oie.gatech.edu/isss-check-in.

If you are a non-U.S. citizen visa-holding student, upload a copy of your current immigration and visa documentation so we can verify your status through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) Program. Here are some eligible documents you can upload:

  • I-327 (Reentry Permit)

  • I-571 (Refugee Travel Document)

  • I-766 (Employment Authorization Card)

  • Machine Readable Immigration Visa (with Temporary I-551 Language)

  • Temporary I-551 Stamp (on passport or I-94)

  • I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record)

  • I-94 (Arrival Departure Record) in unexpired foreign passport

  • Unexpired foreign passport

  • I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant [F-1] Student Status)

  • DS2019 (Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor [J-1] Status)

Deferred Action Status (DACA)

Students in Deferred Action (DACA) status do not qualify for enrollment into Georgia Tech based on Board of Regents Policy 4.1.6.