Pre-Arrival Guide - Immigration Documents
Passport
Every international student must obtain a passport from his/her government for permission to travel abroad and re-enter their home country. Passports must be kept valid at all times while in the US . Upon entry into the US , passports are required to be valid for at least six months into the future.
Although previously exempt from the passport requirement, Canadian students are now required to use a passport to enter the United States .
Form I-20: Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant (F-1) Student Status
Upon admission to a specific program of study, most international students are issued a Form I-20. Its formal title is, “Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant (F-1) Student Status”. Proof of financial support, English language proficiency and other eligibility requirements must be met before a Form I-20 is issued.
The start date listed on your Stony Brook Form I-20 represents the first day of classes; however, you are required to arrive in time to participate in the mandatory International Student Orientation program. The orientation dates are noted in the letter enclosed with your Form DS-2019.
Form DS-2019: Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status
Exchange students and students funded by the US government, home country government or other sponsoring agencies are issued a Form DS-2019. Its formal title is, “Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status”. The Form DS-2019 is issued by a sponsoring program when a prospective student is admitted to a program of study, has documented English proficiency, demonstrated adequate financial support and met other eligibility requirements for J-1 status in the US .
The start date listed on your Form DS-2019 is the first day of International Student Orientation, one to two weeks before the first day of classes. You are required to arrive in time to participate in the mandatory International Student Orientation program. The orientation dates are noted in the letter enclosed with your Form DS-2019.
[Top]
VISA PROCESSING AT US CONSULATES AND EMBASSIES
When you receive your Form I-20 or DS-2019, you need to review it very carefully to confirm that the biographical information matches your passport exactly. US consulates or embassies will not accept even one typographical error. Your names should be spelled exactly as they are spelled in your passport. Your date of birth should be in month/day/year format, and all other information must be correct.
If there are any mistakes, please contact our office immediately; e-mail: internationalservices@notes.cc.sunysb.edu Write “I-20 correction” and your full name on the subject line. In the message, clearly indicate the incorrect information and carefully spell out the corrected information. If you have a general question about your form, use the same e-mail address.
After confirming that your Certificate of Eligibility has no errors, you need to apply for a F-1 student or J-1 Exchange Visitor visa stamp at a US consulate or embassy. Before reporting to the consulate or embassy, you need to make an appointment and, in most cases, pay a $200 USD SEVIS fee. Forms and complete instructions regarding payment are available at: http://www.ice/gov/sevis/i901/index.htm
· The SEVIS fee is separate and in addition to other visa application fees
· J-1 students sponsored by US government sponsored “G-1” programs, such as Fulbright, should follow their sponsors' instructions regarding preparation for the visa application. “G-1” sponsored students do not pay a SEVIS fee.
· Students applying for F-1 and most J-1 visas are required to pay the $100 fee. This fee can be paid online by completing Form I-901 and using a credit card. When paying online, be sure to print a receipt to take with you to the visa interview. It is important that online fee-payers pay the fee at least three business days before their visa appointment.
· It is also possible to pay by check or via Western Union Quick Pay. Follow instructions on the webpage above; a receipt will be mailed to you. You need this receipt before reporting to the consulate to apply for the visa.
· F-2 and J-2 dependent family members are not required to pay SEVIS fees.
To make your consular appointment, check instructions for the US embassy or consulate nearest you: http://usembassy.state.gov/ Once you have received the Form I-20 or DS-2019 and everything is correct, pay the SEVIS fee (if applicable) and apply for your consular appointment right away. HOWEVER, only use the Stony Brook form if you truly intend to attend Stony Brook, as you are not allowed to use this paperwork to enter the US to attend a different school. Likewise, do not use another school's Form I-20 or DS-2019 if you intend to attend Stony Brook University . You will be expected to register for at least one full semester at Stony Brook University if you enter the US using Stony Brook's Form I-20 or DS-2019.
The US Department of State website, http://travel.state.gov has an excellent summary of information about applying for F-1 and J-1 visas.
At the visa interview, a consular officer will examine:
· Form DS-156, Non-immigrant Visa Application. Men aged 16-45 years old must also complete Form DS-157, Supplemental Visa Application
· Your Form I-20 or DS-2019
· The letter offering you admission to one of Stony Brook's academic programs,
· Original documents demonstrating that you will have financial resources to study and live in the US until you complete your studies, and
· Proof of proficiency in the English language.
· Check the website for the US consulate where you intend to apply for your visa to see if that post requires additional documentation or has issued special instructions for F-1 or J-1 visa application.
· Receipt for paying the SEVIS fee
Everyone applying for a F-1, F-2, J-1 or J-2 visa is required to document “bona fide non-immigrant intent” by demonstrating binding ties to his or her home country. Consular officers are likely to ask questions pertaining to this. You will find more information about non-immigrant intent on the US Department of State website listed above.
When you receive your visa stamp, please check it at the consulate. If you notice a mistake, it is much easier to return it to the visa section immediately for correction, if you are still there.
Visa Delay or Denial
Some students may encounter delays in visa issuance due to security clearance checks. This is routine for applicants from designated countries and for students studying in certain technological fields. Consult consular websites for information about applying for a student (F-1) or Exchange Visitor (J-1) visa and regarding any additional documentation you could provide to facilitate the security checks and visa processing. The consular officer who conducts the interview should inform you if there will be a delay. Note that a security clearance delay is NOT denial of the F-1 or J-1 visa.
If you encounter difficulty in obtaining a visa, e-mail International Services at Stony Brook as soon as possible: internationalservices@notes.cc.sunysb.edu Write “Visa problem” and your full name in the subject line. In your message, include the location of the consular post, date of the consular interview and reason for the visa denial or delay so that we can follow-up appropriately. Very few Stony Brook students are denied visas and our advisers are prepared to help you through the process if you encounter problems.
[Top]
Students intending to enroll in a college or university should not enter the US with a “visitor for pleasure or business” visa (B-1/B-2) unless it has been clearly designated “Prospective Student” by a consular officer. Students entering the US on B-1/B-2 visas cannot begin studies until US Citizenship and Immigration Service has approved a change of status to F-1 or J-1, a process that may take several months.
Likewise, do not enter the US under the Visa Waiver pilot program, in “WT” or “WB” status, as you will not be allowed to study. Individuals entering the US with a visa waiver are not eligible to apply for a change of immigration status while remaining in the US .
[Top]
TRANSFERRING TO STONY BROOK FROM ANOTHER US SCHOOL
F-1 students transferring from another school, college or university in the US must obtain and complete a Transfer Report form from Stony Brook.
To begin the transfer procedure, a student should notify the International Student Adviser, typically a “Designated School Official” (DSO) at the last school attended that he or she intends to transfer to Stony Brook. The DSO at the old school should complete the Transfer Report form, indicating the date the SEVIS record will be released to Stony Brook University . Form I-20 for transfer to Stony Brook can be prepared by the DSO at Stony Brook only after the SEVIS record has been released, admission and English proficiency verified, and original financial documentation is deemed adequate.
Undergraduate students should return the Transfer Report form to the Undergraduate Admissions Office at Stony Brook.
Graduate students should return the Transfer Report form to their prospective departmental office.
The transfer procedure is completed by personally reporting to an International Student Adviser at Stony Brook within 15 days of the beginning of classes. Failure to complete the transfer procedure in a timely manner will result in violation of status.
Any student already in violation of status should apply for reinstatement with the school in which they were previously enrolled, as soon as possible. Consult with an International Student Adviser for assistance.
J-1 students transferring from another school, college or university need to contact International Services to initiate the transfer procedure. The electronic transfer process conducted through SEVIS requires that the two J-1 programs coordinate their efforts. When the transfer is completed, a Stony Brook SEVIS Form DS-2019 will be issued. “Request for SEVIS Form DS-2019 for New Student” is also used for transfer students, and is available on the International Services website.
[Top]
Students intending to have their spouses and/or children live with them in the US should plan accordingly. Students are encouraged to bring their families only after appropriate family housing accommodations are confirmed. The University cannot guarantee housing for married students, and low-cost housing can be difficult to find on Long Island .
Dependent family members (spouse and children under 21 years old) joining students in the US each need their own Certificate of Eligibility from Stony Brook University or the sponsoring agency. Forms I-20 for F-2 dependents and Forms DS-2019 for J-2 dependents are issued based on proof of sufficient funds available in addition to the amount required for the duration of the student's entire course of study. Currently, a spouse needs to have at least $6,500 per year in financial support, and each dependent child needs $3,630 per year. (Agencies sponsoring J-1 students may have their own guidelines for amounts of support required for dependents.)
A Certificate of Eligibility may be issued for a dependent when the student’s initial Form I-20 or DS-2019 is prepared, or after the student has entered the United States and started the program of study. Each dependent needs to obtain an F-2 or J-2 visa stamp, before entering the United States.
Note that F-2 spouses of F-1 students are not allowed to work in the US and are prohibited from “vocational” or matriculated study. F-1 children may study full-time up to the university level, and at that time they must change to F-1 status to continue their studies. F-2 dependents may be eligible to change to independent work or study immigration status while remaining in the US , but must await the approved change of status before beginning employment or study.
J-2 spouses and children of J-1 students may apply to US Citizenship and Immigration Service for permission to accept employment after arrival in the US . Current immigration regulations allow spouses and children in J-2 status to study. Note that many J-1 and J-2 Exchange Visitors may be unable to change their immigration status while remaining in the US if they are subject to provisions of the “two-year home country residency” rule.
Unmarried domestic partners are not eligible for F-2 or J-2 status under immigration regulations.
[Top]
Many foreign governments place limits on the amount of their currency that can be exchanged for US dollars (USD), or the amount of funds that can be brought out of the country.
Some governments require documents from the university certifying acceptance, dates of enrollment and expense estimates before releasing or exchanging funds to US dollars. To address these requirements, students should present their Certificate of Eligibility Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 and letter of acceptance to the appropriate officials.
It is the student's responsibility to assure monetary transfer permission in advance. Please read sections about “Carrying Money” and “Payment of Tuition, Fees and Other Charges.”
Budgeting
At times during the academic year, such as at the beginning of each semester, larger amounts of readily-available funds may be required. Careful financial planning is required if your funds will be arriving occasionally from overseas.
Personal expenses are conservatively estimated to average $1,000 per month for food, housing and miscellaneous items. Students expecting personal expenses to be covered by university stipends are cautioned that it may be several weeks before receiving their first stipend check. Plan to bring enough money with you to easily cover living expenses for the first two months of the first semester.
Note that our estimate of expenses is the minimum required to live on Long Island with careful budgeting. Students planning to live off campus, eat out in restaurants, purchase a car or enjoy off-campus entertainment will require additional funds.
| <Pre-Arrival Guide - Welcome |