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 Walker

  Interim Vice Provost, Office of Global Affairs

  Email: lindsi.walker@stonybrook.edu

  

  Meghan Gambino

  Assistant Dean for Visa and Immigration Services

  Email: Meghan.Gambino@stonybrook.edu

  

  Alison Eassa

  Assistant Director, Visa and Immigration Services

  Email: Alison.Eassa@stonybrook.edu

  

  Nicole Elkins

  International Student & Scholar Assistant

  Phone: (631)632-1140

  Email: Nicole.Elkins@stonybrook.edu

   Student Advisors

  

  Laura Perles

  International Student Advisor

  Phone: (631) 632-7170

  Email: Laura.Perles@stonybrook.edu

  Caseload: A / B / C / D

  

  Alison Eassa

  Assistant Director

  Phone: (631) 632-7036

  Email: Alison.Eassa@stonybrook.edu

  Caseload: E / F / G / H

  

  Kelly Luquer

  International Faculty & Scholar Manager, and Student Advisor

  Phone: (631) 632-7192

  Email: Kelly.Luquer@stonybrook.edu

  Caseload: I / J / K

  

  Christos Kalesis

  International Student Advisor

  Phone: (631) 632-7048

  Email: Christos.Kalesis@stonybrook.edu

  Caseload: L / M / X

  

  Meagen Stephani

  International Student Advisor

  Phone: (631) 632-1103

  Email: meagen.stephani@stonybrook.edu

  Caseload: N / O / P / Q / R

  

  Tricia Simons

  International Student & Scholar Advisor

  Phone: (631) 632-2933

  Email: Tricia.Simons@stonybrook.edu

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

  

  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

  

  Kelly Luquer

  International Faculty & Scholar Manager

  Phone: (631) 632-7192

  Email: Kelly.Luquer@stonybrook.edu

  

  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

  Click to Schedule a J-1 International Scholar Appointment 

   

  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.