Accepted International Students

The overview of pre-registration steps is well outlined on the Your Next Steps webpage by the Office of New Student Orientation. International students will also receive reminders from us regarding the completion of pre-registration steps. Please note that new students can start registering for classes only when they complete the pre-registration steps. Therefore, new students are highly encouraged to start completing the pre-registration steps as early as possible. 

In most cases, you will need to schedule an interview with the United States Embassy or Consulate in order to be granted your F-1 or J-1 student visa. Please review a list of documents that you need to bring for your F-1/ J-1 visa interview.

For a comprehensive list of tips and advice about applying for your student visa, please take a look at this information sheet modified from the National Association for Foreign Students Advisors (NAFSA): 10 Points to Remember When Applying for a Non-Immigrant Visa.

All undergraduate students have to be registered for a minimum of 12 credit hours (9 credit hours for graduate students) in order to maintain status as a full-time student. Once registering for classes, you are strongly advised NOT to drop below the minimum credit hours, EVEN if you drop one class because you plan on registering for another. General advice regarding course registration can be found on the Registrar's Office website.

There are certain steps you will have to complete before being able to register for your classes. This process is different for F-1 and J-1 students:

Course registration for F-1 students

• As an F-1 student (to include first-year and transfer students), you will be pre-registered for all of your classes by a team of advisors. You cannot be pre-registered until you have completed all the steps on the portal. If you are not satisfied with your course schedule after you have been pre-registered, don't panic! You can meet with your advisor after your arrival to campus and he or she will help you adjust your schedule, if necessary.

Course registration for J-1 students

• J-1 students can register themselves for classes only after they have completed the steps in their portals. To learn how to register for classes, please click here. As the last cohort of students to be able to register, it is especially important that J-1 students complete these steps as soon as possible so they are not locked out of any classes.
• Failed to register for classes or unsatisfied? Please click here and learn how to resolve registration errors.
• A list of tips and advice for course registration for J-1 students is available here: Course registration FAQs for J-1 students

The International Student and Scholar Services Office also holds live, virtual chats (called "webinars") on preparing for your arrival to the United States. These are held a few weeks prior to your arrival. So, be sure to check your email inbox for an invitation to an upcoming session!

Do you need some packing ideas? Please check out FAQs-What to bring (and not to bring) to campus and What to bring webpages by the Office of Residence Life and Housing. Here is a packing list for incoming international students as well. You can also purchase items after you arrive at Oswego from these retail stores and websites.

Syracuse campus students- please utilize this resource to find off-campus housing. 

Here are the documents you need to bring to enter the United States:

• A physical (printed) copy of your Form I-20 or DS-2019. 
• Passport (valid at least 6 months into the future)
• Valid student visa. 
• SEVIS I-901 fee. If you do not have a copy of your receipt then you can print one at https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/index.html.
• Proof of financial support that you submitted for the Form I-20 issuance
• Your acceptance letter 
• Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination status
• Proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test if travelling by air

Canadian students

The official U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Canada online webpage says "Canadian citizens do not need visas to study or participate in an exchange program in the U.S. ... When crossing the border to begin their study or exchange program in the United States, the student will need to provide the Officer at the port of entry:

• A Canadian passport;
• The original I-20 (or DS-2019) certificate;
• Proof that the SEVIS fee has been paid;
• Proof of ability to pay school fees and living expenses in the United States; and
• Proof of ties to Canada

The closest airport from the campus is Syracuse Hancock International Airport. When you purchase the flight ticket, double check the airport code which is "SYR". 

We strongly suggest that you schedule your arrivals into Syracuse for no later than 8:00 PM on the arrival day. If things happen and you arrive after 8:00 PM, we recommend staying a night at the hotel near the airport. For your reference, click hotel options near the SYR airport as well as hotel options near the campus. 

From the airport to the campus, The airport provides some recommended taxi and ride-sharing services.

All incoming international students are required to attend New International Student Orientation prior to the start of classes. Due to public safety issues, Online Orientation modules are provided to students which touch upon the following:

• Immigration Regulations: Rights & Responsibilities
• Residence Life and Housing Rules 
• Academic Rules and Regulations
• Health Services
• Law and Order

Here are some of the frequently asked questions that international students have regarding their student bills:

1. How can I view my student bill? SUNY Oswego's Office of Student Accounts website outlines how to view and pay your bill.
2. When should I pay my student bill? Please note that student bills should be paid by the 16th of January (for Spring terms)/August (for Fall terms) as you can see on the Office of Student Accounts webpage. F-1 visa holders are permitted to enroll in a payment plan, instructions to do so can be found on the Student Accounts website. J-1 visa holders must pay their bills in full and are not eligible to enroll in a payment plan. 
3. I would like to pay my student bill via international wire/bank transfer, what is SUNY Oswego's bank account number? Students interested in paying by international wire or bank transfer should use a third-party service called Flywire. Instructions to pay your student bill using Flywire can be found on the Student Accounts website in the "International wire transfer" section. 
4. Why are there unknown charges on my student bill? Please reach out to the Office of Student Accounts at student.accounts@oswego.edu if you have any questions regarding your student bill.