Pre-Arrival Guide - Reporting to International Services
All individuals in F-1 and J-1 immigration status based on Form I-20 or DS-2019 issued by Stony Brook must check-in with the International Services office.
If you arrive before check-in day, please come to the International Services office to meet with an adviser during our regular business hours, generally Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This is so that an International Student Adviser may confirm you arrival in the federal SEVIS electronic database through an “intake interview” process. We are located in The Graduate School, 2401 Computer Science Building on the main campus.
Please call 631-632-4685 to find out the advising schedule once you arrive on campus.
It is essential that J-1 students check-in and complete their intake interviews within 30 days of entry into the US or the start date on Form DS-2019 – whichever is soonest – or the SEVIS record automatically “terminates”, as the federal tracking system will not reflect that you've reported to the school. This is a very serious violation and it can be very difficult or impossible to correct.
It is essential that F-1 students check-in and complete their intake interviews within 30 days of entry to the US or the SEVIS federal tracking system will not reflect that you've reported to the school. This is a very serious violation and can be very difficult or impossible to correct. F-1 transfer students must check-in and complete the intake interview within 15 days of the start of classes .
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All new and transfer international students will see an International Student Adviser for an initial “intake interview” at the beginning of their first semester at Stony Brook. This allows us to review you original immigration documents, collect photocopies for our records, and document your arrival in SEVIS.
You will need to bring the following original documents to the intake interview, as well as a photocopy of each:
· Passport
· I-94 card (copy front and back)
· Form I-20 or Form DS-2019
· If transferring, copies of all Forms I-20 or DS-2019 issued on your behalf
· If you are beginning study following a change of status granted by US Citizenship and Immigration Services, a copy of the Approval Notice, Form I-797
· You will also need to know you complete residential address, even if temporary, and
· Contact information for an immediate family member that we could use in case of a medical emergency
Likewise, if you were unable to complete your intake interview on check-in day, come to the International Services office during our regular business hours.
Transfer students must report to International Services for an interview within 15 days of the first day of classes. Do not wait for the last day or two!
When the intake interview process is completed, a “block” is lifted from the University database, so that you will be able to register for classes.
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You are required to attend the entire orientation program for international students, even if you are transferring from another school in the US or have attended Stony Brook University in a different immigration status in the past. You are also required to attend the New and Transfer Undergraduate Student orientation, or Graduate School , Teaching Assistant and Academic Department orientations, as appropriate.
Orientation programs play a crucial role in the transition to life in a new environment and cultural setting. These programs have been carefully planned to help you succeed at Stony Brook University . Attendance is mandatory, so plan to be on campus every day of the orientation week.
Note: You must obtain permission from International Services to arrive after the first day of orientation, since a new or updated SEVIS Form I-20 or DS-2019 may be required for entry into the US . Students who cannot arrive by the reporting date should contact International Services to obtain permission for a later arrival date. If you must request permission for late arrival, e-mail International Services at Stony Brook as soon as possible: internationalservices@notes.cc.sunysb.edu Write, “Late arrival” and your full name in the subject line. In your message, include the reason you will need to arrive after orientation begins, and the date that you expect to be able to arrive. If you cannot arrive on time for orientation, we may recommend that your admission be deferred to next semester.
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After arrival, you should make copies of all travel documents and keep them in a safe place, separate from the originals. In the unfortunate event that your original documents are lost or stolen, these copies will facilitate their replacement. Note that Form I-20 or DS-2019 and your valid I-94 card are as important as your passport, and should be treated as such. The documents to be photocopied for safekeeping include:
· Passport identification page (your picture, the passport number, and personal information)
· Passport page with US visa used for entry
· Passport page with expiration date of passport
· Both sides of the I-94 card
· SEVIS Form I-20 or Form DS-2019
Remember to keep the original I-94 card and all Forms I-20 or DS-2019 with your passport while you are in the US . While your visa stamp allowed you to enter the US, the valid passport, I-94 card and Form I-20 or DS-2019 are the physical evidence used to determine that you are allowed to remain in the US.
In the event any of these documents are lost or stolen, you will need to file a police report. If the documents are not recovered promptly, you will need to replace them. Contact your embassy to request a new passport. Meet with an International Student Adviser to request a replacement Form I-20 or DS-2019; you will need to provide a copy of the police report for our records. We will help you apply to the US Citizenship and Immigration Service to replace the I-94 card; the replacement fee is currently $320.
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