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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
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    Lindsi Walker

    Interim Vice Provost, Office of Global Affairs

    Email: lindsi.walker@stonybrook.edu

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    Meghan Gambino

    Assistant Dean for Visa and Immigration Services

    Email: Meghan.Gambino@stonybrook.edu

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    Alison Eassa

    Assistant Director, Visa and Immigration Services

    Email: Alison.Eassa@stonybrook.edu

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    Nicole Elkins

    International Student & Scholar Assistant

    Phone: (631)632-1140

    Email: Nicole.Elkins@stonybrook.edu

     Student Advisors

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    Laura Perles

    International Student Advisor

    Phone: (631) 632-7170

    Email: Laura.Perles@stonybrook.edu

    Caseload: A / B / C / D

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    Alison Eassa

    Assistant Director

    Phone: (631) 632-7036

    Email: Alison.Eassa@stonybrook.edu

    Caseload: E / F / G / H

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    Kelly Luquer

    International Faculty & Scholar Manager, and Student Advisor

    Phone: (631) 632-7192

    Email: Kelly.Luquer@stonybrook.edu

    Caseload: I / J / K

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    Christos Kalesis

    International Student Advisor

    Phone: (631) 632-7048

    Email: Christos.Kalesis@stonybrook.edu

    Caseload: L / M / X

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    Meagen Stephani

    International Student Advisor

    Phone: (631) 632-1103

    Email: meagen.stephani@stonybrook.edu

    Caseload: N / O / P / Q / R

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    Tricia Simons

    International Student & Scholar Advisor

    Phone: (631) 632-2933

    Email: Tricia.Simons@stonybrook.edu

    Caseload: S /T / U / V / All J-1 Students

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    Alissa Chomicki

    International Student Advisor

    Phone: (631) 632-4685

    Email: Alissa.Chomicki@stonybrook.edu

    Caseload: W / Y / Z

     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 Laura Perles.  Advisor caseloads are subject to change without notice.

    Faculty & Scholar Advisors

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    Kelly Luquer

    International Faculty & Scholar Manager

    Phone: (631) 632-7192

    Email: Kelly.Luquer@stonybrook.edu

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    Jessica Raphael

    International Faculty & Scholar Advisor

    Phone: (631) 632-4685

    Email: vis_scholar@stonybrook.edu

     

  • Advising Hours & Document Pickup
    Advising by Appointment

    VIS offers both in-person, walk-in advising and online advising via Google Meet or by phone.

    F-1 Student Advising Hours
    Day Time Type

    Monday

    10am-1:55pm

    2pm - 3:55pm

    Virtual

    Walk-In

    Tuesday

    10am-11:55am

    12pm-1:55pm

    Walk-In

    Virtual

    Wednesday

    10am-1:55pm

    2pm-3:55pm

    Virtual

    Walk-In

    No Advising on Thursdays 

    Friday

    10am-3:55pm

    Virtual

    Click to Schedule an F-1 International Student Appointment

    J-1 Student Advising Hours
    Day Time Type

    Tuesday

    2pm-3:55pm

    Virtual

    Click to Schedule a J-1 International Student Appointment 

    J-1 Scholar Advising Hours
    Day Time Type

    Tuesday

    10am-11:55am

    Virtual

    Friday

    2pm-3:55pm

    Virtual

     
    Document Pickup 
    Document drop off / pick up is availble during regular business hours. When collecting documents, please  be prepared to show identification (ie. SBU ID card).

    Document Pickup Hours
    Day Time

    Monday

    9:00am-4:00pm

    Tuesday

    9:00am-4:00pm

    Wednesday

    9:00am-4:00pm

    Thursday

    9:00am-4:00pm

    Friday

    9:00am-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. 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.

    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.