Spring 2024 ISSS Office Hours: 2:30 to 4 PM, Monday through Friday except for federal holidays

This section guides you what are your rights and responsibilities as a non-immigrant visa holder. Also, SUNY Oswego provides various services which benefit international students academically, professionally and medically. Click each section to be better informed and to take advantage of available services. 

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Forms Library

Employment Verification Letter Submission Form for SSN

Please use the following forms to submit your Employment Verification Letter to apply for SSN. Upon receipt, the ISSS Office will get back to students within 3~5 business days with the ISSS Employment Letter. 

If your employer is not sure what the letter needs to say, please share bullet points under step 1 of the How to apply for SSN.

It's worth noting that students can start working without SSN but they won't be paid until they provide SSN to the employer.

Form I-20/DS-2019 Update Request

Form I-20/DS-2019 Update Request can be submit for updates including:

  • Travel Endorsement (Travel endorsement is valid for one year for current F-1 and J-1 students and 6 months for OPT and STEM OPT students)
  • Major/Minor Change
  • Name Change
  • OPT/STEM OPT Employment Information Change
  • Email Address Change
  • Phone Number Change
  • Mailing Address Change

Travel-endorsed Form I-20 must be requested at least 3 business days prior to the U.S. departure date.

F-1 and J-1 visa holders can be issued updated Form I-20/Form DS-2019 for the following reasons:

  • Travel Endorsement (Travel endorsement is valid for one year for current F-1 and J-1 students and 6 months for OPT and STEM OPT students)
  • Major/Minor Change
  • Name Change
  • OPT/STEM OPT Employment Information Change

If you are providing information related to a change in email address, mailing address and phone number, your records will be updated accordingly and Form I-20/DS-2019 issuance is not necessary. Changes in your email address, phone number and/or mailing address must be reported within 10 days of the change.

Resources for Current International Students

1. My F-1 student visa is expiring, what should I do?

First of all, please keep in mind that you can remain in the United States with an expired F-1 visa as long as you maintain your student status. Please review this resource. However, if you are returning to your home country or traveling to a country where automatic revalidation does not apply, you must have a valid F-1 student visa to return to the United States. We strongly suggest applying for a new F-1 visa at the United States Embassy in your home country of residence.

Here are some of the documents that you should bring with you to your F-1 visa interview to obtain a new visa:

  • A valid Form I-20 from SUNY Oswego with a recent travel signature on page 2 (If the last signature under the Travel Endorsement was done less than a year ago, you should reach out to us at isss@oswego.edu
  • Any previously-issued I-20s
  • An unexpired passport (valid at least 6 months into the future)
  • Recent financial documents showing evidence of continued financial ability
  • Receipt of your I-901 SEVIS fee payment
  • Your student transcript (found in myOswego)
  • Your certificate of enrollment verification
  • Visa application form, fees, and photographs (consult the instructions of your local U.S. Embassy website)
  • Copies of EAD card if you are participating in the Optional Practical Training (OPT). 

If you have any questions regarding the visa application process, don't hesitate to reach out to us at isss@oswego.edu.

2. I would like to visit Canada, what documents should I bring?

First, review the Canadian government's website to determine if you need a visa in order to enter Canada: Find out if you need a visa to travel to Canada.

Then, please review this website thoroughly for the latest information about COVID-19 requirements for travelling to Canada. You should take care to upload your COVID-19 vaccination details and negative COVID-19 PCR test results to the ArriveCAN system and carry your receipt of upload, your pre-arrival test results, and proof of vaccination with you when you cross the border. 

Finally, review 7. For students who are planning to travel internationally for a list of documents you need to bring to re-enter the United States.

3. How can I apply for a Social Security Number?

The steps to obtain your Social Security Number (SSN) can be found here. As you can see in the resource, the first step for you to take is:

  • Obtain an employment verification letter from your on-campus employer. This document should outline the on-campus employer that has hired you, along with when you will begin work, how many hours you are expected to work per week, and what your position is with this employer. Scan this letter and send it to the ISSS Office at isss@oswego.edu
  • You will then receive another employment verification letter from the ISSS Office as well as instructions to complete an online SSN Application (SS-5) and/or schedule an in-person appointment with the local Social Security Administration (SSA).
  • Bring all the required documents (which you will be instructed via email) to the appointment with SSA

Please note that you can start working without a Social Security Number (SSN), but you cannot receive payment until you have received your SSN. If you are a new student, please allow 2 weeks from the semester start date before you go to SSA to ensure that your SEVIS record is in Active Status.

4. How can I get a Driver's License in the United States?

How to apply for Driver's License summarizes the information from the Driving in New York State by dmv.ny.gov. The Driver's License Application Process on the Study in the States website outlines the process and documents required to obtain a driver's license in the United States. When international students apply for a driver's license at their local Department of Motor Vehicles Office, they should bring original copies of the following documents. 

Additionally, when you look at Form ID-44 which is an application for Driver License in New York, you need to provide the following documents:

  • Proof of citizenship: You can find all acceptable proofs on form ID-44.
  • Proof of lawful status: You can find all acceptable proofs on form ID-44.
  • Proof of date of birth: You can find all acceptable proofs on form ID-44.

If you are a new student, please allow 2 weeks from the semester start date before you go to the local Department of Motor Vehicles to ensure that your SEVIS record is in Active Status.

5. What to do when I am sick or have medical emergency?

Students can download the summarized insurance coverage (Click here for the summarized insurance coverage for OPT students). 

Please review this document that will guide you on the following topics:

  • How to log into UHCSR
  • How to search for a doctor/medical services in-network 
  • What information you should provide the provider
  • What to do if I receive bills

Exchange students who need to submit the Confirmation of Coverage to their home universities can follow the instructions below:

  • Log into UHCSR following the above instructions
  • Go to the "My Coverage" tab
  • Click "Confirmation of Coverage on the mid-right side of the page
6. How to retrieve I-94 arrival/departure record or Traveller's history

Please review this document that will guide you how to retrieve I-94 arrival/departure record.

To learn how to retrieve the Traveller's history, click here.

7. For students who are planning to travel internationally

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

  • A physical (printed) copy of your Form I-20 or DS-2019. Make sure you have a valid Travel Endorsement - this is a signature from the International Student and Scholar Services Office in the Travel Endorsement section of your document (located on page 2 of the I-20, or on the bottom half of the DS-2019). A Travel Endorsement signature is only valid for 365 days (or 6 months if a student is on OPT), so be sure to complete the Form I-20/DS-2019 Request Form at least 3 days before your trip if you need a recent signature.
  • Passport (valid at least 6 months into the future)
  • Valid student visa. If your student visa will expire by the time you intend to reenter the United States then you will need to obtain a new student visa at the United States Embassy or Consulate outside the U.S.
  • 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
  • Your most recent academic transcript and proof of enrollment at SUNY Oswego (strongly recommended)

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; Make sure you have a valid Travel Endorsement - this is a signature from the International Student and Scholar Services Office in the Travel Endorsement section of your document (located on page 2 of the I-20, or on the bottom half of the DS-2019). A Travel Endorsement signature is only valid for 365 days (or 6 months if a student is on OPT), so be sure to complete the Form I-20/DS-2019 Request Form at least 3 days before your trip if you need a recent signature.
  • 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.

OPT students

Students on Optional Practical Training who plan to travel abroad will need to bring additional documentation (such as proof of employment and their Employment Authorization Document) with them when reentering the United States; students on OPT should contact the ISSS Office well in advance when planning for international travel.  

  • Unexpired passport valid until at least 6 months into the future
  • Unexpired I-20 with valid travel endorsement signature. The signature on page 2 must be less than 6 months old on the date you return. Be sure to complete the Form I-20 Request Form well in advance of your trip if you need a recent signature. 
  • Valid Employment Authorization Document (EAD card)
  • Form I-94
  • A letter from your employer confirming employment and mentioning that you will be returning to the United States to resume employment
  • A copy of a few most recent paystubs
  • SEVIS I-901 fee, if you have
  • Valid student visa. If your student visa will expire by the time you intend to reenter the United States then you will need to obtain a new student visa at the United States Embassy or Consulate outside the U.S.

Students are encouraged to review the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website for more details regarding international travel. Please notify us at isss@oswego.edu when you plan to travel internationally to make sure you are aware of any travel restrictions and to obtain a Travel Endorsement signature on your Form I-20 or DS-2019, if necessary. 

8. I am graduating and I would like to invite my parents

Generally, parents who need visas to enter the United States can apply for a traveler's visa, and depending on the country, they would not need to provide any supporting letter as they are coming as travelers.

Students who would like to provide any letter can customize the template which can be found here. Please note that SUNY Oswego does not provide any letter or any visa advising for parents as the university is not sponsoring their visit.

Students who would like to receive a diploma in their home countries can click here to create a FedEx shipping label. Once the student pays for the FedEx shipping label, ISSS can share that with Registrar for international shipping. 

9. What's the ISSS office hours policy?

International students who need to pick up mail/documents or get assistance in person from the ISSS office without any appointment must walk in between 2:30 PM to 4 PM, Monday through Friday, except for holidays, breaks, and when classes go remote due to weather or other extenuating circumstances.

ISSS office will be available online on holidays, breaks, and when classes go remote for any reason and students can reach the office via email at isss@oswego.edu

International students can also set up meetings by sending emails to isss@oswego.edu. Please take into consideration that it takes 2~4 business days for the ISSS office to get back to emails due to the high volume of emails we receive daily. 

Here are some holidays that the ISSS office may go online. 

  • New Year's Day
  • Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
  • Lincoln's Birthday
  • Washington's Birthday
  • Memorial Day
  • Juneteenth
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Columbus Day
  • Veteran's Day
  • Thanksgiving Day (*Usually, the office is closed on Thanksgiving week, emails will be sent out with details in advance)
  • Christmas Day (*Usually, the office is closed on Christmas week, emails will be sent out with details in advance)
10. How do I renew/extend my visa?

F-1 and J-1 visa holder students can legally stay and study in the United States with an expired visa AS LONG AS Form I-20 is valid AND Admit Until Date in I-94 says "D/S."

However, international students who leave the U.S. must present valid visas to enter the U.S. Therefore, if you are planning to re-enter the U.S. after the F-1 or J-1 visas have expired, you would need to apply for a new visa before seeking re-admission to the U.S. Visas cannot be renewed in the United States and students need to reach out to the U.S. embassy outside of the USA. Please note that students cannot apply for a visa or renew their visa in the United States.

Once you are issued a new visa, please take a photo and send it to isss@oswego.edu for record-keeping purposes. 

11. How do I retrieve my enrollment verification document?

Please click here to review the Registrar's Office resource for retrieving enrollment verification documents.

As stated in the Registrar's Office resource, "Social Security numbers are required by the Registrar's Office to verify students; therefore, if the Registrar's Office does not have your SSN on file you will not be able to obtain an online enrollment verification. Please visit the Registrar's Office to update your SSN information and obtain an enrollment verification.

If you do not have a valid address on file with SUNY Oswego, you will not be able to obtain an online enrollment verification. Please make sure your address information is correct prior to the start of term."

For any additional questions related to retrieving your enrollment verification, please reach out to the Registrar's Office via email at registrar@oswego.edu

IMPORTANT: Exchange students are advised to reach out to Registrar's Office at registrar@oswego.edu to retrieve the enrollment verification letter.

Interested in working off-campus?

F-1 students who are enrolled full-time for at least one academic year are eligible to apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) to engage in off-campus internships.

Graduating students can apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) to gain work experience in the United States upon graduation. 

Current OPT participants who graduated from a STEM qualifying major can apply for STEM OPT to extend their OPT period.

Please utilize the linked resources below to learn more about the CPT, OPT, and STEM OPT authorization processes.

Immigration Rights and Responsibilities

Medical Insurance

As an international student or scholar, your health insurance is provided by UnitedHealth Student Resources. You can access your account and obtain your health insurance card by downloading the UHCSR app. The app is available for android user, as well as iPhones users. A hard copy of insurance card can be also printed and downloaded.

Medical insurance and a completed SUNY Health Form are mandatory for international students and scholars attending SUNY Oswego.

  1. The State University of New York Medical Insurance Plan is mandatory for all F and J visa students and scholars attending SUNY Oswego. Exceptions apply only to those scholars and students officially sponsored, covered, and thoroughly documented by a national government or international agency.
  2. As long as a student or scholar remains in the USA on SUNY Oswego's F or J visa, medical insurance will be required.
  3. Students who do not have appropriate medical insurance prior to the start of classes may have their course registration blocked or cancelled. Subsequent registrations may also be blocked or cancelled unless students can show the appropriate and necessary coverage for any continuing semesters.

While you can download the summarized insurance coverage, we made some key points about the medical insurance fee and its coverage.(Click here for the summarized insurance coverage for OPT students).

  1. The State University of New York Medical Insurance Plan is comprehensive, and it provides unlimited coverage. Insurance holder only pays a cerntain amount of money per year except the prescription in any circumstances. This includes ambulance services, vaccines, emergency visits, GYN visits and preventitive cares. Please note that dental and vision will be covered only when under the age of 19 and accidental. 
  2. You can get Telehealth services through UnitedHealthcare which means you can speak to the representative with your own native language about your mental health. 
  3. As long as the dates are within coverage dates, you will be covered anywhere globally.

The International Student and Scholar Office does not accept insurance waivers. If you are a GA, TA, or RA on campus and are eligible for employment insurance through the campus,  please send a copy of your employment letter to isss@oswego.edu

Are you looking for a primary care physician in and around the Oswego area? Review the list from UnitedHealthcare Student Resources for participating primary care physicians accepting patients within a 20-mile radius of Oswego.

(J visa) Maintaining Status

As an exchange student, your primary purpose for being in the United States is to pursue your course of study as a full time student, so you have the responsibility of ensuring that you maintain your status as a J- 1 student. Click here to learn more about Exchange Visitor's Rights & Protections. Failure to comply with the requirements is a violation of your J-1 status which may result in serious consequences, including termination of your student status and deportation. You must comply with the following requirements:

  • Your passport must be valid at all times.
  • You must be a full time student and make normal progress in your courses. If you are an undergraduate student you must be registered for a minimum of 12 credit hours during the semester. As a graduate student you must be registered for a minimum of 9 credit hours. You can register into only one online course to meet your minimum credit requirements.
  • You must ensure that the travel signature on the front page  of your DS-2019 is valid or signed each semester.
  • You must not work off- campus without employment authorization on your DS-2019.
  • You must notify the ISSS office of your change of address within 10 days of your relocation. Complete the SEVIS Record Update Form to notify us of your change of address and/or phone number.
(F visa) Maintaining Status

As an undergraduate or graduate degree student, your primary purpose for being in the United States is pursue your college degree as a full time student, so you have the responsibility of ensuring that you maintain your status as an F- 1 student.  Failure to comply with the requirements is a violation of your F-1 status which may result in serious consequences, including termination of your student status and deportation. You must comply with the following requirements:

  • Your passport must be valid at all times.
  • You must ensure that the travel signature on page 2 of your I-20 is valid (your estimated return date to the U.S. is within 1 year from the last signed date). Complete the SEVIS Record Update Form at least 3 business days prior to your return date to request a new Form I-20 with travel endorsement. 
  • You must NOT work off- campus without employment authorization on your I-20.
  • You must notify the ISSS office when there are changes to your name, phone number, or address within 10 days of the change. Complete the SEVIS Record Update Form to notify us of your change of address and/or phone number.

Please pay special attention to the following academic-related immigration rules as well:

  • You must make normal progress toward your degree. Any SUNY Oswego students who fail to meet the Good Academic Standing will be placed on Academic Probation (AP) or Academic Warning (AW) (Click here for good academic standing policy for undergraduate students and here for graduate students). Although there is no direct impact on students who are placed on Academic Probation (AP) or Academic Warning (AW), students who do not meet the AP or AW requirements, thus academically disqualified, and whose appeal is not approved, would need to leave the U.S., per I-20 termination. 
  • You must be a full time student. If you are an undergraduate student you must be registered for a minimum of 12 credit hours during the semester, except during winter and summer vacation. As a graduate student, you must be registered for a minimum of 9 credit hours, except during winter and summer vacation. You can register into only one online course to meet your minimum credit requirements.
(F visa) Extension of Stay

If you are not able to complete your degree by the expected program completion date due to the reasons stated below, you must submit an ISSS application and file for an extension of stay to receive a new I-20 with a new program end date. You must file for an extension of stay BEFORE your current I-20 expires. Failure to do so will result in loss of your F- 1 status.

To be eligible for an extension of stay you must demonstrate that:

  • You are currently in valid F 1 status AND
  • You have maintained F-1 status and continually been a full time student
  • You are making normal progress towards completing your course of study AND
  • The delay in completion of your studies was caused by compelling academic or medical reasons such as change of major or research topic, unexpected research problems, loss of credits upon transfer to SUNY Oswego, documented illness. 
  • You are not on academic probation or suspension
  • The final course you require to satisfy degree requirements is not an online course

To apply for an extension you must submit the following documents to the ISSS office:

  • Academic advisor's recommendation form (available at the ISSS office)
  • Financial documentation to show sufficient funds
  • Full time registration into courses for the next semester
(F visa) Off-campus Employment

ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) webpage outlines basic guideline regarding the off-campus employment. 

On-campus Employment

Students holding F or J visas may work on campus up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and full-time during extended holiday periods. Students should be aware that this employment is not guaranteed, and that income derived from this work may not be enough to have any major impact on campus costs. Off-campus employment for F and J visa students is permitted only under restricted circumstances defined by INS regulations. Illegal employment may result in deportation. Students should pay close attention to this fact.

On-campus work includes employment in the dining halls, restaurants, residence halls, bake shop, computer centers, tutoring center and campus technology. Graduate students may waive some of their tuition costs through a limited number of assistantships, which are occasionally available in the second year of study. No student should count on the availability of on-campus work to pay tuition, fees, room, or board.

Links for Each Visa

The U.S. Department of State sites on each visa are listed below.

Taxes

All F and J visa holders are required to file tax papers, even if you have earned no income in the United States. The Internal Revenue Service [IRS] Tax Form 8843 is required of each student, whether or not s/he has found work. Here are some tax guidelines

Need help filing your taxes? You may want to reach out to Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or use the PowerPoint presentation below:

Special thanks to:  
Barbara A.J. Dawkins, Senior Tax Consultant, 201 Como Park Blvd.
Buffalo, NY 14227

1098- T form 

Click here to go to the Student Accounts page and scroll down to the heading Tax Information. Further inquiries regarding the 1098-T form can be directed to the Office of Student Accounts at student.accounts@oswego.edu

Here are some of the forms that you may have to complete:

Federal forms

  • For tax purposes: http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/index.html
  • For employment purposes:
    • Form W-2 Wage and Tax Statement - Gives you a tax receipt of your earnings and taxes and benefits paid out from your check.
    • Form W-4 Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate - Must be completed prior to receipt of your first pay check from any employer. Claim "1" in lines A, B, and E.
    • W-9 Request for ITIN Number - Required for tax purposes if you have no Social Security Number.
    • Form I-9 Department of Justice - Employment Eligibility Verification

New York State forms

International Student Services

Academic Services
Writing Center

Writing in your second language is not easy. Thankfully, the Writing Center provides free writing assistance for SUNY Oswego students across the disciplines. You can choose a writing tutor, make an appointment and check Write Ways, writing-related workshops, from the Writing Center page.

Tutoring Center

If you find some courses are challenging, check this list to see if Tutoring Center provides tutoring on that subject. You can check walk-in tutoring hours and make an appointment from the Tutoring Center page.

Career Services/EXCEL Office

EXCEL Resources for Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

The CPT authorization review process is performed in conjunction with the EXCEL Office  - who will assess the experience for course credit - and may take 2-3 weeks to process. It is important to remember that you must be formally authorized by the ISSS Office to participate in Curricular Practical Training before you start participating in any training experience. If approved, this authorization will be noted directly on your Form I-20. 

As a CPT participant, there are various resources available to you via the EXCEL Office.

All CPT applicants interested in participating in an internship, are highly encourged to review the EXCEL Office's Internship and Co-op Resource. This resource will provide vital information relating to EXCEL's role in your CPT authorization process.

In addition, all CPT participants will be required for fill out a form known as the Site Verification Form. The EXCEL Office provides a valuable resource which outlines the responsibility of both the student and emplyoer in completing this form. Click here to view the resource. 

As a CPT applicant, there may be various questions that arise related to course registration and the completion of your Site Verification Form. The EXCEL Office can best answer questions related to these topics. Feel free to click here to review the EXCEL Office's contact information.

Discovering Professional Opportunities & Career Exploration

Career Services at SUNY Oswego will help you to be equipped well professionally. Feel free to take a look at this resouce which assists student in navigating their major and career opportunities

All students are encourages to  take advantage of Career Resource Center to go over your resume, Cover Letter and practice your interview.

Finding a Job: Career Services Affinity Group Resources

The Career Services Office provides specifc resources for International Students searching for work positions.

The Affinity Group resources lists various diverse and inclusive job offering nationwide. These include employers searching to hire international students. Click here to view the Career Services Affinity Resources. Once you are on this page, click on the tab which states "International"

Health Services
Counseling Services

SUNY Oswego provides a wealth of resources for students to thrive. Some of Health Services are summarized below:

  • If you need urgent/emergency care, call University Police at 315.312.5555, or simply 5555 if you are on a campus phone. If you are off campus call 911.
  • Hours of operation: 8:30 am to 4 pm clinic on Monday through Friday during academic year.  For after hours care, you can call FONEMED at 877-617-9538 (toll free number)
  • Counseling Services Center is located on campus at 202 Hewitt. Please call 315.312.4416 to schedule an appointment at health and counseling services. If you’re not ready to make an appointment for counseling, but want to meet with a counselor stop by Let’s Talk!
Mental Health Resource for Students: SUNY Crisis Text Line

The SUNY Crisis Text Line is a confidential mental health resource available 24/7, 365 days a year providing a safe space for students and friends to seek help and support when dealing with mental health challenges. Students can text, chat, or use WhatsApp to connect with trained counselors. 

How to Access:

  • Text: Send "Got5U" to 741-741
  • Chat: Visit SUNY Crisis Text Line
  • WhatsApp: Available through the provided chat link

Benefits:

  • Confidential: 
  • 24/7 Availability
  • Trained Counselors
  • Online Resources

Additional Information:

  • Twitter Announcement (September 6, 2023): SUNY Crisis Text Line reaffirmed its 24/7 availability as a confidential mental health resource, emphasizing its role during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Follow #ReachOutSUNY for updates.

Website: SUNY Mental Health Resources

Contact

301 Washington Blvd
Suite: #116 Sheldon Hall
Oswego, NY 13126

Phone: 315.312.5775
Fax: 315.312.2447
Email: isss@oswego.edu