1. Visa & Immigration Services International Family Program Orientation

2. Who is Visa & Immigration Services?
Visa and Immigration Services (VIS) works with over 5,500 international students, scholars, and faculty from more than 100 countries.  
We advise and assist those in F-1 and J-1 status with regard to U.S.
immigration matters and regulations.
VIS is committed to providing international students and scholars with the highest level of expertise in advising and immigration services.

3. 5th floor, E-5310 Melville Library
Melville Library, 5th Floor rm e5310
CHANGE PICTURE
5th floor, E-5310 Melville Library

4. VIS Advisor Caseloads:
International Student Advisor
Caseload
Tricia Simons Figuero
Tel: (631)
A / B / C
Meghan Behan
Tel: (631)
D / E / F / G / H / I
Christos Kalesis
Tel: (631)
J / K / L
Stephanie Elmessaoudi
Tel: (631)
M / N / O / P / Q / Y
Jasmina Gradistanac
Tel: (631)
R / S / T / U / V
Advisor (TBD)
W / X / Z
February 20, 2014

5. Advising hours are subject to change without notice
VIS Advising Hours
Schedule an appointment with a VIS Advisor:
Call (631)
VIS at
No appointment necessary Wednesday & Thursday mornings during Walk-In hours
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
9:30am – 1pm By Appointment
9:30am – 1pm Walk-In Hours
No Advising
1:00 – 4:30pm By Appointment
Advising hours are subject to change without notice

6. U.S. Immigration Regulations

7. Document:Form I-20 Confirm all information is correct:
Biographical Data (name, date of birth, country of citizenship)
Degree Level
Academic Program
Funding
Do not let your I-20 Expire!
Speak with your VIS Advisor in the semester your I-20 will expire to discuss your options.
If you complete all requirements before the end date on your I-20, you are considered “complete.”
Retain all Forms I-20 issued to you, as they will be required for future benefits

8. Document: Passport Check passport expiration date
Must be valid at least 6 months into the future at all times.
Contact your embassy for extensions while inside the U.S.
Copies of your renewed passport should be submitted electronically by completing the Immigration Document Update form in accessVIS

9. Document: I-94
If you entered the U.S. after June through an airport, you received:
Stamp in your passport with F1 and D/S (Duration of Status) – this is your admission stamp, which serves as proof of your status.
Electronic arrival record (called I-94) – is available at

10. Document: F-1 Visa
Your F-1 Visa has an expiration date. If the visa expires while you are in the U.S., it is not a problem.
Travel outside the country requires a valid visa to reenter to the U.S.
The visa stamp is only an entry document.
The “key” to enter the U.S.
Not required for Canadians

11. Immigration Documents: They are Important!
Store immigration documents in a secure place.
Keep photocopies of all of immigration documents in a separate place from the originals.
When traveling domestically (within the U.S.) carry original immigration documents.
Never throw away any old immigration documents – the student may need them in the future.
Report lost or stolen documents immediately to the police, your embassy and VIS. Replacement DS 2019s may be requested through accessVIS.

12. Basics of Maintaining F-1 Status

13. What is “status”:
It is the obligation of all F-1 students to comply with the immigration laws and regulations of the United States. As a student in F-1 status, he/she is responsible for learning, understanding, and complying with the U.S. laws and regulations that apply. Failure to be aware of and comply with these requirements could jeopardize his/her status and academic plans.
Must be registered in a “full course of study” - 12 credits (3 credit maximum for online courses)
Report changes to their local or foreign home address, phone number, and in accessVIS within 10 days.
Local Address: Physical address within the U.S. where he/she currently lives
Foreign Home Address: Permanent address in home country (cannot be in the U.S.)
I-20 & Passport must be valid at all times.
No unauthorized employment

14. Undergraduate Students Must register for 12 credits/term
FULL TIME ENROLLMENT
Undergraduate Students
Must register for 12 credits/term
F-1 students may take one on-line course (up to 3 credits) per term which will count toward your full course of study requirement.
If you are unable to maintain full-time enrollment, please see your VIS Advisor immediately. VIS authorization is needed for you to drop below full-time enrollment.

15. Part-Time Enrollment
May be authorized for one of the following reasons:
Severe difficulty adjusting to the U.S. educational system/ difficulties with the English language in the first semester.
Medical Reasons (Medical Documentation from a Physician is required).
You are in your last semester and taking the necessary number of credits needed to complete all degree requirements.
Part-Time Enrollment cannot be approved as a result of:
Poor grades in a prior semester
Fear of failing a class
Lack of money to pay tuition
No open classes
Take out the first bullet

16. Other Enrollment Issues:
“I” (incomplete grade) or “NR” (no record of attendance) grades do not count toward full-time enrollment. Earning either of these grades may jeopardize your F-1 status.
Withdrawal from a course at any point in the semester does not count toward full-time enrollment.
You must complete the required number of credits each fall & spring semester to maintain your immigration status.
You must register and earn grades for least 12 credits every semester. “NR”, “W”, and “I” grades do not count toward your 12 credit full-time requirement.
Normal progress towards your degree:
Course(s) not required for your degree should be taken in addition to the full time enrollment requirement.
Added note in green

17. Employment Options

18. On-Campus Employment: (eligible immediately)
No special authorization is required for F-1 Students to work on-campus
No more than 20 hours per week during the school year.
During official breaks (i.e. summer & winter sessions) student may work more than 20 hours/week.
Types of On-Campus Employment:
Student positions (i.e. library)
Working for the University and/or Research Foundation (i.e. Resident Hall Assistant)
Working for outside companies who provide student services on campus (i.e. Dining Services, Starbucks in the Student Union)

19. Off-Campus Employment: (eligible after one academic year)
Authorization to work off-campus is a benefit of the student’s F-1 status. Eligibility is based on:
Maintenance of F-1 Status.
Enrolled for one full academic year in F-1 status.
Attending the mandatory CPT/OPT workshop, conducted throughout the semester.
Types of Off-Campus Authorizations:
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Severe Economic Hardship
Internship with International Organization

20. Social Security Number (SSN)
The purpose of a Social Security Number (SSN) is to help the government keep track of an individual's earnings in the U.S. for tax purposes.
Eligibility for a SSN is based on the offer of paid employment.
Regulations require that the student have a valid employment offer letter and authorization from VIS to apply for a SSN.
Applying for SSN
The on-campus employer must issue a letter of offer outlining the terms of the employment.
Submit the ‘SSN Authorization Request’ form in accessVIS, uploading a copy of your employment offer letter
If approved, VIS will issue an authorization letter to be brought to the Social Security Administration (SSA) office.

21. Income Tax Filing Requirement
F-1 students are required to file both federal and state taxes every year whether or not they have earned income in the US
File Form 8843 if you have not earned an incoming in the U.S.
File Form 1040NR if you have earned an incoming in the U.S.
We recommend using a tax accountant for assistance in filing taxes.
Basic information and useful links can be found at
Visit for more information.
★ Some F-1 students and scholars qualify for a tax treaty exemption but must file to claim the tax treaty exemption

22. Travel & Re-Entry

23. When reentering the U.S. after traveling outside of the country, the student must have the following:
Passport is valid at least 6 months into the future
F-1/F-2 visa has not expired
Valid SEVIS Form I-20 with travel signature endorsed on page 2
Proof of full-time enrollment (i.e. enrollment verification or official transcript from the Registrar).

24. Travel Signature Required if traveling outside of the U.S.
Can ONLY be issued by a Visa & Immigration Services Advisor (DSO)
Valid for one year
Request for a Travel Signature must be submitted through accessVIS (vis.stonybrook.edu) at least 2 weeks before you plan to travel outside of the U.S.
Remove the green

25. accessVIS: Navigating the System

26. Requests Available in accessVIS:
Address Update
Adding Dependents
Appointment with VIS Advisor
Change of Level
Change of Program
Change of Immigration Status (to F-1)
Commencement Letter Request
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Departure Information
Immigration Document Update
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
OPT/STEM Reporting
Part Time Enrollment
Program Extension
Readmission
Replacing Lost/Damaged I-20
Research & Study Abroad
SSN Authorization
STEM OPT Extension
Transfer Out
Travel Signature
Updating Financial Information
February 20, 2014

27. Important Reminders
It is your responsibility to maintain your F-1 status.
You need to get a travel signature before leaving the U.S.
You must be active in at least 12 credits each semester. (“NR”, “W”, and “I” grades do not count toward your 12 credit full-time requirement.)
Don’t ask your friends for immigration advice, ask your VIS Advisor
For more information, including obtaining a driver’s license, visit
Visit our website to view the Immigration Orientation Video.

29. Contact us: February 20, 2014 Senior Assistant Dean of IAPS
Lindsi Walker
Tel: (631)
Administrative Support
Kelly Luquer
Tel: (631)
Meggie Cale
Tel: (631)
International Student Advisor
Tricia Simons Figuero
Tel: (631)
A / B / C
Meghan Behan
Tel: (631)
D / E / F / G / H / I
Christos Kalesis
Tel: (631)
J / K / L
Stephanie Elmessaoudi
Tel: (631)
M / N / O / P / Q / Y
Jasmina Gradistanac
Tel: (631)
R / S / T / U / V
Advisor (TBD)
W / X / Z
February 20, 2014