Frequently Asked Questions - Lawful Presence

Do I need to satisfy the lawful presence/citizenship verification requirement? Why?

All students who will be residing in the U.S. while enrolled in classes at Georgia Tech must satisfy this requirement prior to beginning classes. This is true for U.S. Citizens, U.S. Permanent Residen...

I have a Real-ID compliant driver's license or ID card, but it is not from one of the states listed on the Lawful Presence webpage. Can I still use my Real-ID to satisfy lawful presence?

No. Only a Real-ID compliant driver's license or ID card from a state on our eligible states list is acceptable for lawful presence verification.

Who is exempt from this requirement?

Non-U.S. Citizen students who will not be residing in the U.S. at any time while enrolled in classes at Georgia Tech are considered exempt. Any student who will be issued an F-1 or J-1 visa by Georg...

How can I submit my Lawful Presence document?

You may submit a valid document by doing one of the following, unless otherwise noted: Upload it with your admission application (preferred method). Upload it after re

Do I have to submit this document at the time of application?

We prefer that you submit your document at the time of application, as it may speed up your review process. However if you don’t have a valid document during application submission, you may submit t...

When is the deadline to provide this document?

You will not be allowed to register for classes until we receive your valid document. It is best to submit it as soon as possible to allow ample time for receipt and processing.

I do not have access to a U.S. Passport, Real ID approved Driver’s License/ID Card, or U.S. birth certificate. What do I do?

The easiest option would be to complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to satisfy this requirement. More information can be found here under the U.S. Citizen category.

How do I use a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) for this requirement?

Simply submit a FAFSA application here . Be sure that the FAFSA you submit corresponds with your term of admi

Where can I find additional information and a list of approved ways to satisfy this requirement?

Please visit our Lawful Presence webpage.

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