About Us
- Welcome
Welcome
Visa and Immigration Services (VIS) works with over 6,000 international students, scholars, and faculty from more than 100 countries. As a part of International Academic Programs, we advise and assist those in F-1 and J-1 status with regard to U.S. immigration matters and regulations. VIS is committed to providing international students and scholars with the highest level of expertise in advising and immigration services.
- Mission
Mission
Stony Brook University is home to a diverse group of more than 6,000 international students, faculty and scholars from more than 100 countries. Visa and Immigration Services (VIS) is committed to providing a wide variety of services to the international community of Stony Brook University. Our mission is to facilitate international student and scholar admittance to the United States, assist in the transition to life in the U.S. and provide services necessary to meet the special needs of international students and scholars.
To facilitate this mission, VIS serves as an information resource for all international students, faculty, scholars and the departments who invite them. In addition to issuing documents for students and scholars to obtain non-immigrant visas to study or work at the University, the office provides counseling and information in the areas of immigration, employment, cultural adjustment and personal development in order to promote success and compliance.
Our purpose is to fulfill our commitment to international education by providing orientation, advising, information, programming and education to and about international students, scholars and their dependents.
To help carry out our mission and purpose, our International Student and Scholar Advisors are available for advising by appointment or during designated walk-in hours. Beyond the bounds of the office, VIS connects students and scholars to academic and cultural events occurring on campus and throughout the community. We are also committed to maintaining strong partnerships with other student support services and work to connect students and scholars to these resources.
- Staff & Administration (Advisor Caseloads)
Staff & Administration
Lindsi WalkerSenior Assistant Dean, International Academic Programs and Services
Email: lindsi.walker@stonybrook.edu
Meghan GambinoDirector of Visa & Immigration Services
Email: Meghan.Gambino@stonybrook.edu
Steven BroschartInternational Student & Scholar Assistant
Email: steven.broschart@stonybrook.edu
Student Advisors
Kelly LuquerInternational Student Advisor
Phone: (631) 632-7192
Email: Kelly.Luquer@stonybrook.edu
Caseload: A / B / C
Tricia Simons FigueroInternational Student Advisor
Phone: (631) 632-2933
Email: Tricia.SimonsFiguero@stonybrook.edu
Caseload: D/E/F/G/H
Alison EassaInternational Student Advisor
Phone: (631) 632-7036
Email: Alison.Eassa@stonybrook.edu
Caseload: I/J/K/L
Laura PerlesInternational Student & Scholar Advisor
Phone: (631) 632-7170
Email: Laura.Perles@stonybrook.edu
Caseload: M/N/O/P/Q/R/S
Christos KalesisInternational Student Advisor
Phone: (631) 632-7048
Email: Christos.Kalesis@stonybrook.edu
Caseload: T/U/V/W/X/Y/Z
Alissa ChomickiInternational Student Advisor
Phone: (631) 632-4685
Email: vis@stonybrook.edu
Jasmina GradistanacInternational Student Advisor
Phone: (631) 632-1657
Email: Jasmina.Gradistanac@stonybrook.edu
Caseload Info: International Student Advisor Caseloads are divided alphabetically by first letter of the family name. For example, if your family name begins with the letter "A" your advisor is Kelly Luquer. Advisor caseloads are subject to change without notice.
Faculty & Scholar Advisors
Jessica RaphaelInternational Faculty & Scholar Advisor
Phone: (631) 632-4685
Email: vis_scholar@stonybrook.edu
Tricia Simons FigueroInternational Student & Scholar Advisor
Phone: (631) 632-2933
Email: Tricia.SimonsFiguero@stonybrook.edu
- Advising Hours & Document Pickup
Advising by Appointment
We are excited to announce that VIS is returning to an in-person advising model for the fall, while continuing to offer remote advising via Google Hangout, Zoom or by phone.
F-1 Student Advising Hours
Day Time Type Monday
10am-4pm
Virtual or In-Person
Tuesday
10am-4pm
Virtual or In-Person
Wednesday
10am-4pm
Virtual
No Advising on Thursdays
Friday
10am-4pm
Virtual or In-Person
Click to Schedule an F-1 International Student Appointment with a Student Advisor
J-1 Student, Faculty and Scholar Advising Hours
Please email tricia.simonsfiguero@stonybrook.edu to schedule a J-1 Student and Scholar Appointment.
Document Pickup
Document drop off / pick up is availble during regular business hours. When collecting documents, you must have a face covering and be prepared to show identification (ie. SBU ID card).Document Pickup Hours
Day Time Monday
10:00am-4:00pm
Tuesday
10:00am-4:00pm
Wednesday
10:00am-4:00pm
Thursday
10:00am-4:00pm
Friday
10:00am-4:00pm
- Contact
Contact Us
Visa and Immigration Services
Stony Brook University
E-5310 Frank J. Melville Jr. Memorial Library
Stony Brook, NY 11794-3393
Phone: (631) 632-4685
Fax: (631) 632-7064
E-Mail: vis@stonybrook.edu - Chat with a VIS Advisor
Chat with a VIS Advisor
Note: As Visa and Immigration Services is in peak season, LiveChat has been disabled until June 1st, 2022. Please continue to utilize our other services such as student advising, contacting your caseload advisor or emailing us at vis@stonybrook.edu. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Our online chat service makes it easier for you to connect with a VIS Adviser if you have a quick question or need additional direction. Advisors can be reached through the online chat on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.Chat is designed for short, immigration-related questions. Based on the complexity of your question, you may be advised to schedule an appointment to speak with an advisor directly. Please note:
- At times, chat may be quite busy with an advisor(s) replying to multiple students at once. Your patience is appreciated.
- You will need your SBU ID to begin a chat session with a VIS advisor.
To Begin a Chat Session
- In the bottom right-hand corner click on "Chat with a VIS Advisor" (If you see "Leave a Message," it is outside of our chat hours, but you can leave a message and an advisor will respond via email within 1-2 business days).
- Enter your name, email address, and SBU ID# then click "Start the Chat".
To End Your Chat Session
- Click the "X" in the upper right hand corner of the chat window.
- Confirm by clicking "Close the Chat".
- Provide any optional feedback to VIS and/or have your chat session emailed to you by clicking "Send Transcript" in the top left corning of the chat window.