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 WalkerInterim Vice Provost, Office of Global Affairs
Email: lindsi.walker@stonybrook.edu
Meghan GambinoAssistant Dean for Visa and Immigration Services
Email: Meghan.Gambino@stonybrook.edu
Alison EassaAssistant Director, Visa and Immigration Services
Email: Alison.Eassa@stonybrook.edu
Nicole ElkinsInternational Student & Scholar Assistant
Phone: (631)632-1140
Email: Nicole.Elkins@stonybrook.edu
Student Advisors
Laura PerlesInternational Student Advisor
Phone: (631) 632-7170
Email: Laura.Perles@stonybrook.edu
Caseload: A / B / C / D
Alison EassaAssistant Director
Phone: (631) 632-7036
Email: Alison.Eassa@stonybrook.edu
Caseload: E / F / G / H
Kelly LuquerInternational Faculty & Scholar Manager, and Student Advisor
Phone: (631) 632-7192
Email: Kelly.Luquer@stonybrook.edu
Caseload: I / J / K
Christos KalesisInternational Student Advisor
Phone: (631) 632-7048
Email: Christos.Kalesis@stonybrook.edu
Caseload: L / M / X
Meagen StephaniInternational Student Advisor
Phone: (631) 632-1103
Email: meagen.stephani@stonybrook.edu
Caseload: N / O / P / Q / R
Tricia SimonsInternational Student & Scholar Advisor
Phone: (631) 632-2933
Email: Tricia.Simons@stonybrook.edu
Caseload: S /T / U / V / All J-1 Students
Alissa ChomickiInternational 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
Kelly LuquerInternational Faculty & Scholar Manager
Phone: (631) 632-7192
Email: Kelly.Luquer@stonybrook.edu
Jessica RaphaelInternational 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.
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 HoursDay Time Type Tuesday
2pm-3:55pm
Virtual
Click to Schedule a J-1 International Student Appointment
J-1 Scholar Advising HoursDay Time Type Tuesday
10am-11:55am
Virtual
Friday
2pm-3:55pm
Virtual
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 HoursDay 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
- 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.