Visa and Immigration Services

International Academic Programs and Services
Suite E5310 Melville Library
(631) 632-INTL (4685); Fax: (631)632-7064
Web Site: http://www.stonybrook.edu/iaps/international/
Email: InternationalServices@stonybrook.edu

Stony Brook University office of Visa and Immigration Services provides advice and assistance on U.S.government immigration regulations and cross-cultural issues relating to study, teaching, research and living in the United States. International student and scholar advisers are the Designated School Officials (DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officers (ARO) on campus who are responsible for assisting students and scholars in obtaining and
maintaining valid F-1 or J-1 status in the United States.

Students who are not citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. typically enter the U. S. in non-immigrant F-1 student or J-1 exchange visitor status. Certificates of Eligibility (Form I-20 for F-1 status or Form DS2019 for J-1 status) will be required when applying for an F-1 or J-1 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. Students should attend the school whose certificate of eligibility was used for entry into the United States. Certificates of Eligibility are issued to students who have been admitted to a full-time program of study, have provided proof of financial support for their proposed program of study, and have provided proof of English language proficiency. Students who are not yet proficient in English may wish to apply to the Intensive English Center (see below).

Orientation and Registration

Visa and Immigration Services provides a mandatory orientation program for all new and transfer international students before the start of classes. International students are required to arrive on campus by the first day of orientation and attend all mandatory orientation sessions. Details about arrival on campus and international student orientation are contained in the arrival booklet and letter from International Services. New nonimmigrant students are required to report to an International Student Advisor at the start of the semester for a personal interview. Students transferring from another U.S. school must coordinate the transfer process with their current school and report to an international student adviser during international student orientation to complete the transfer procedure.

After Orientation

Visa and Immigration Services is required to make many reports to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the Student and Exchange Information System (SEVIS) to record arrival on campus, full time enrollment, changes of address, changes in program and other issues. International Students must familiarize themselves with these SEVIS requirements in order to comply with United States immigration regulations. It is important for students to maintain contact with their international student advisers for advice and assistance. Each semester, workshops on various topics are held for international students. International Services also serves as a liaison between students and the community Host Family Program.

Sponsored Students: Fulbright and Other International Fellowships Stony Brook University office of Visa and Immigration Services is the liaison for international Fulbright, AMIDEAST, LASPAU, USAID and other sponsored students and scholars at Stony Brook. Packets of information for Fulbright recipients are forwarded to International Services by the Institute for International Education (IIE) and may be collected upon arrival. Information on Fulbright Fellowships for domestic students can be found on page 13.

English as a Second Language
ESL Office
Social & Behavioral Sciences Building, Room N255
(631) 632-7706

The oral ESL program is designed to help international Ph.D. students (for whom English is not their first language) and funded Masters' students raise their English proficiency to a level that enables them to be
able to teach in English. For those graduate students who do not show adequate proficiency in speaking as measured by the internet-based ibT TOEFL, IELTS, TSE or the SPEAK Test, three levels of ESL course work are offered at the Graduate level: ESL 591 Intermediate Oral/Aural Skills, ESL 596 High Intermediate Oral/Aural Skills, and ESL 598 Advanced Oral/Aural Skills. Undergraduates may elect these cross-listed courses: ESL 191 Intermediate Oral/Aural Skills and ESL 198 Advanced Oral/Aural Skills. The writing ESL program is primarily for undergraduates, but graduate students may elect to take ESL 593 Advanced Composition.

Intensive English Center
E 5320 Melville Library
(631) 632-7031 Fax: (631) 632-6544
Web site: http://www.stonybrook.edu/iec
E-mail: lEC@stonybrook.edu

The Intensive English Center (lEC) offers non-credit courses on a yearround basis. Students are placed in appropriate levels by means of a comprehensive diagnostic examination in the beginning of each session. Core courses include daily instruction in speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. These courses are supplemented by elective courses including Grammar, Pronunciation/Accent Improvement, TOEFL Preparation, American Film and Culture, and Business English.

During the summer, the IEC offers both a full-time and part-time program supplemented by cultural and recreational activities. Students who have a minimum TOEFL score of 75 iBT may take the IEC program part-time and enroll in credit bearing courses with the approval of the IEC Director.

The IEC welcomes graduate students who wish to improve their English proficiency or to satisfy the English proficiency requirements. The TOEFL requirement may be waived for those students who successfully complete the advanced level with a grade of B or better and appropriate recommendations are made to the Graduate School. The IEC will issue an I-20 form (for an F-1 visa) to applicants who meet IEC admission requirements. For applications and more information, please contact the IEC office.

The IEC will issue an I-20 form (for an F-1 visa) to applicants who meet IEC admission requirements. For applications and more information, please contact the IEC office.