New Student Check-in and Orientation
- Overview
All F-1 and J-1 students starting a new program at Stony Brook, transferring to SBU from another U.S. institution, or entering the U.S. with an initial I-20/DS-2019 (this includes those returning from leave) are required to complete the "International Student Check-in" process. The process differs slightly for F-1 and J-1 students, so please read the respective instructions carefully.
If you are unable to complete any of these requirements for any reason, please contact VIS at vis@stonybrook.edu for further instructions.
- F-1 International Student Check-In
F-1 International Student Check-In"International Student Check-in" is a federally mandated process that ensures compliance with immigration regulations for all international students. It includes electronically reporting to Visa and Immigration Services (VIS) to have your immigration documents reviewed and your SEVIS record activated.
PART 1: BEFORE YOU ARRIVE TO THE U.S.
Part 1 of the International Student Check-In checklist includes reporting visa information (if applicable) and completing the 'F-1 International Student Orientation' module. This module is designed to equip you with essential knowledge on maintaining your status during your studies. It is mandatory for all incoming students, and completion is required to access other forms within the International Student Check-in.
We encourage you to complete Part 1 of the International Student Check-in before arriving in the United States. Doing so will help expedite the overall process and ensure that you have a solid understanding of how to maintain your status.
How to Access the International Student Check-In in accessVIS
- Open your Google browser and go to https://vis.stonybrook.edu or click the 'Start Your Check-in' button below.
- Log in:
- If you have activated your NetID: On the accessVIS main page, click 'LOG IN' and enter your NetID Single Sign-On username and password.
- If you do not know your NetID: Log in through New Student/Scholar Login (Limited Services) using your Stony Brook ID#, PIN, and date of birth.
- Navigate to 'Arrival & Intake' on the left side menu bar of the accessVIS homepage.
- Click 'F-1 International Student Check-In' and complete all required e-forms.
PART 2: AFTER YOU ARRIVE TO THE U.S.
Upon arriving in the United States, you are required to complete Part 2 of the International Student Check-In checklist. This section involves providing your local address, phone number, and emergency contact information. You will also need to submit your Form I-94 so VIS can verify your immigration status and the duration of your authorized stay in the U.S.
The I-94 is an arrival and departure record issued by the U.S. government to all foreign visitors. If you entered the U.S. from abroad, your I-94 record is created electronically, and an immigration officer will also stamp your passport. If you filed a change of status (Form I-539) from within the U.S., you should have received a paper I-94. It is crucial that your I-94 record accurately reflects your F-1 international student status and is up-to-date.
Before starting Form 4: I-94 Information & Upload, ensure you have a copy of your Electronic I-94 Admission Record available for upload. Documents uploaded to accessVIS must be in PDF format and should not exceed 100MB in size.
Please note: The I-94 record is not the same as your travel history. If you have entered the U.S. multiple times, your I-94 record may not reflect your most recent entry immediately. Allow up to 10 days after your arrival for your I-94 record to be updated.
If you tried to retrieve your I-94 from the official online system and you receive a response that your I-94 is "Not Found", read the following questions to help you check for mistakes and try to enter the information again:
Do Not Use Dashes or Titles:
1. Did you enter your first and last name the same way it appears on your passport?
2. Did you enter the passport number that appears on the upper right hand side of your passport?
3. Did you enter your country of citizenship (country that issued the passport, not where you currently live)?
4. If you entered your first and middle name and it is not found, try one name or the other. Also try entering your first and middle name in the first name box.
If you're still not able to locate your I-94, see how to contact US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to get your I-94.
Step 3: Enroll Full-Time
Federal regulations require that students in F-1 status be registered for a full-time course load each fall and spring semester until graduation. Failure to be registered full-time by the add/drop deadline is a violation of your nonimmigrant status, may result in the loss of your F-1 status.
For information on enrollment requirements, including limitations on online course enrollment, click here.
Step 4: Report Your Local Address in SOLAR
If you haven't done so already, you must report your U.S. local (off-campus) address in SOLAR. Please follow the steps below to do so:
- Login to SOLAR with your Stony Brook University ID number and password.
- Go to Security and Personal Data then click Addresses.
- Select Add A New Address to add your local (off-campus) address. Even if your address is listed as "Home" or "Mailing", you must still add it as your "Local" address.
- Verify your address information, and select "Local" under Address Type.
- Click Save, then OK. Your local address should now appear.
For guidance on formatting your address correctly, click here.
- J-1 International Student Check-In
J-1 International Student Check-InInternational Student Check-in is a federally mandated process that ensures compliance with immigration regulations for all international students. It includes electronically reporting to Visa and Immigration Services (VIS) to have your immigration documents reviewed and your SEVIS record activated.
The Immigration Intake cannot be completed in accessVIS until after your arrival in the United States. Therefore, please ensure that you have physically arrived before initiating the process.
While the Immigration Intake is to be completed after your arrival, we encourage you to submit the J-1 International Student Orientation as soon as you receive your Form DS-2019. This will help expedite the overall process and ensure that you have a solid understanding of how to maintain your J-1 status.
Step 1: J-1 International Student Orientation
The J-1 International Student Orientation is specifically designed to provide you with essential information on how to maintain your J-1 status throughout your studies. It is a mandatory requirement for all incoming students, and completion is necessary to access the Immigration Intake form.
We encourage you to review the orientation module and complete the submission process in accessVIS as soon as you receive your Form DS-2019. Doing so will help expedite the overall process and ensure that you have a solid understanding of how to maintain your J-1 status.
To begin, click on the link below to access the comprehensive J-1 International Student Orientation. Take your time to review the material thoroughly. Once you have completed the orientation, you must upload the completion certificate issued at the end of the module in the J-1 International Student Orientation form in accessVIS. For the best experience, we recommend using the Google Chrome browser and ensuring that you have the latest version installed.
Access to the Immigration Intake form will only be granted once you have reviewed the J-1 International Student Orientation and completed the submission process in accessVIS.
J-1 INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION
How to Access the J-1 Student Orientation & Immigration Intake in accessVIS
- Click the "Start Your Check-in" button below.
- Click the "LOG IN" button on the accessVIS main page. If you do not know your NetID, login through New Student/Scholar Login (Limited Services) using your Stony Brook ID#, PIN, and date of birth.
- Enter your NetID Single Sign On username and password and then click on the “Log In” button.
- Click "Arrival & Intake" which can be found on the leftside menu bar on the accessVIS homepage.
Step 2: J-1 Student Responsibilities
Review and certify your understanding of the requirements for maintaining your J-1 Exchange Visitor Status within the J-1 Student Responsibilities form in accessVIS.
Step 3: Complete and Submit the Immigration Intake
Upon your arrival in the United States, it is mandatory that all J-1 international students complete and submit the Immigration Intake form in its entirety.
Before starting the Immigration Intake in accessVIS, ensure that you have scanned copies of the following documents readily available for upload. Remember, documents uploaded in accessVIS must be in PDF format and should not exceed 100MB in size.
- Form DS-2019
- Passport (Picture/Information Page)
- U.S. J-1 visa (except for citizens of Canada and Bermuda)
- Electronic I-94 Admission Record
- I-901 SEVIS Fee Payment Receipt
Do NOT begin and/or submit the Immigration Intake in accessVIS until AFTER you have arrived in the U.S.
Step 4: Enroll Full-Time
Federal regulations require that students in J-1 status be registered for a full-time course load each fall and spring semester until graduation. Failure to be registered full-time by the add/drop deadline is a violation of your nonimmigrant status, may result in the loss of your J-1 status.
For information on enrollment requirements, including limitations on online course enrollment, click here.
Step 5: Report Your Local Address in SOLAR
If you haven't done so already, you must report your U.S. local (off-campus) address in SOLAR. Please follow the steps below to do so:
- Login to SOLAR with your Stony Brook University ID number and password.
- Go to Security and Personal Data then click Addresses.
- Select Add A New Address to add your local (off-campus) address. Even if your address is listed as "Home" or "Mailing", you must still add it as your "Local" address.
- Verify your address information, and select "Local" under Address Type.
- Click Save, then OK. Your local address should now appear.
For guidance on formatting your address correctly, click here.