Orientation & Immigration Requirements
Orientation is MANDATORY for all incoming International Students.
- Date: Friday, 3 January 2025
- Times: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Evening Event: 5–7 p.m.
- Location: Schuster Student Success Center – Room 130
Please review the campus map for location. - $50 Orientation Fee
The Orientation Fee includes:
- Meals during orientation sessions
- Transportation for shopping trips
- On-campus activities during orientation.
Spring 2025 Orientation Schedule (PDF)
Note: We cannot offer individual make up sessions or answer individual questions (in-person or by e-mail) on topics covered during orientation sessions.
Follow These Steps to Sign Up for Orientation
You need to complete BOTH steps
- Pay the Orientation Fee
- International payments - Non-U.S. credit/debit cards only
- U.S. Payments - U.S. credit/debit cards only
- Register for Orientation
Transportation from the Atlanta Airport to Columbus
We suggest making a reservation with Groome Transportation, a private shuttle service. You can also catch a Groome shuttle in Atlanta without a reservation; however, you will have to wait for an available seat and be prepared to pay at that time. Reservations are highly recommended in order to guarantee a ride will be available.
Groome Transportation will take you to their office in Columbus.
You must then arrange for a taxi service or Uber to take you to the CSU campus or to your accommodations.
How to find the shuttle at the Atlanta Airport -
Domestic Arrivals (if you are coming from another U.S. airport into Atlanta): Exit the domestic terminal through Door W1 or W2, adjacent to domestic baggage claim and follow the covered walkway to spaces numbered 4-8 and you will see our shuttles.
International Arrivals: We are not allowed to pick-up at the International Terminal. Take the International Shuttle Connector from the international terminal for a brief 10-minute trip to Ground Transportation at the domestic terminal. You will see our shuttles in spaces 4-8.
Groome shuttles to various locations share this pickup area, so be sure to board the correct shuttle, it will be the one marked ‘COLUMBUS’. We look forward to seeing you soon!
We ask that passengers arrive 10-15 minutes prior to departure for all locations.
View Map of Pickup Locations at Atlanta ATL Airport
Required Documents Upon Arrival
You MUST submit these documents along with additional forms that you will be asked to fill out during orientation to have a complete immigration file. This must be done by Monday, January 16, 2023.
The following documents must be provided to verify your legal entry into the United States.
- I-94 - You can obtain this from the I-94 Travel Records for U.S. Visitors website. You should also keep a copy of this document with your I-20 - this verifies your legal entry into the U.S., and you will need this for various things.
- I-20 or DS-2019 - Please provide a PDF copy of your I-20j. Make sure to sign it! Read page 3 before signing. Always keep your original I-20s in a safe location.
- F1 or J1 Visa - Please provide a PDF copy of your approved visa.
