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

  Staff & Administration

  

  Lindsi Walker

  Senior Assistant Dean, International Academic Programs and Services

  Email: lindsi.walker@stonybrook.edu

  

  Meghan Gambino

  Director of Visa & Immigration Services

  Email: Meghan.Gambino@stonybrook.edu

  

  Margaret Hartofilis

  International Student & Scholar Assistant

  Email: margaret.hartofilis@stonybrook.edu

  

  Laura Perles

  International Student & Scholar Assistant

  Email: Laura.Perles@stonybrook.edu

   

    Student Advisors

  

  Tricia Simons Figuero

  International Student Advisor

  Phone: (631) 632-2933

  Email: Tricia.SimonsFiguero@stonybrook.edu

  Caseload: A / B / C / D

  

  Elizabeth Brooke

  International Student Advisor & Success Coordinator

  Phone: (631) 632-1140

  Email: Elizabeth.Brooke@stonybrook.edu

  Caseload: E / F / G / H / I / J

  

  Alison Eassa

  International Student Advisor

  Phone: (631) 632-7036

  Email: Alison.Eassa@stonybrook.edu

  Caseload: K / L

  

  Christos Kalesis

  International Student Advisor

  Phone: (631) 632-7048

  Email: Christos.Kalesis@stonybrook.edu

  Caseload: M / N / O / P / Q / R / Sa - Sh

  

  Alissa Chomicki

  International Student Advisor

  Phone: (631) 632-1138

  Email: Alissa.Chomicki@stonybrook.edu

  Caseload: Si – Sz / T / U / V / W

  

  Kelly Luquer

  International Student Advisor

  Phone: (631) 632-7192

  Email: Kelly.Luquer@stonybrook.edu

  Caseload: X / Y / Z

  

  Jasmina Gradistanac

  International 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 Tricia Simons Figuero.

   

  Faculty & Scholar Advisors

  

  Jessica Raphael

  Advisor to International Faculty & Scholars

  Phone: (631) 632-1655

  Email: Jessica.Raphael@stonybrook.edu

   Advisor caseloads are subject to change without notice.

   

  Student Assistants

  

  Mirette

   

• 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.

   If you are a student and need to speak with a VIS advisor, please schedule an advising appointment using our online calendar.  If you are a new/initial student, please email vis@stonybrook.edu so we can connect you with our New/Initial Team. If you are a visiting research scholar or international faculty member please email vis_scholar@stonybrook.edu to schedule a time to talk.

  Click to Schedule an Appointment with a Student Advisor

  
  F-1 & J-1 Student Advising Hours

  Day	Time	Type
  Monday	9:30am-3:30pm	Virtual and In-Person Advising By Appointment
  Tuesday	9:30am-3:30pm	Virtual and In-Person Advising By Appointment
  Wednesday	9:30am-3:30pm	Virtual and In-Person Advising By Appointment
  Thursday	No Advising
  Friday	9:30am-3:30pm	Virtual and In-Person Advising By Appointment

   

    Faculty & Scholar Advising Hours

  Day	Time	Type
  Tuesday	9:30am-12:30pm	Virtual Advising By Appointment
  Thursday	9:30am-12:30pm	In-Person Advising By 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	9:00am-5:00pm
  Tuesday	9:00am-5:00pm
  Wednesday	9:00am-5:00pm
  Thursday	9:00am-5:00pm
  Friday	9:00am-5:00pm

   
• 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

  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 during regular weekday hours of 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., and extended hours on Thursdays from 10:00 a.m.-3 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

  1. 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).
  2. Enter your name, email address, and SBU ID# then click "Start the Chat".

  To End Your Chat Session

  1. Click the "X" in the upper right hand corner of the chat window.
  2. Confirm by clicking "Close the Chat".
  3. 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.