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.
- Our Mission
Our 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
Senior Associate ProvostOffice of Global Affairs
Email: lindsi.walker@stonybrook.edu - Meghan Gambino
Assistant DeanVisa and Immigration Services
Email: meghan.gambino@stonybrook.edu - Alison Eassa
Assistant Director; International Student Advisor
Email: alison.eassa@stonybrook.edu - Nicole Elkins
International Student & Scholar Assistant
Phone: 631-632-1140
Email: nicole.elkins@stonybrook.edu
Student AdvisorsInternational 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 Kelly Luquer. Advisor caseloads are subject to change without notice.
- Kelly Luquer
International Student Advisor; International Faculty & Scholar ManagerPhone: (631) 632-7192
Email: kelly.luquer@stonybrook.edu
Caseload: A / B - Laura Perles
International Student AdvisorPhone: (631) 632-7170
Email:laura.perles@stonybrook.edu
Caseload: C / D / E / F / G - Christos Kalesis
International Student AdvisorPhone: (631) 632-7048
Email:christos.kalesis@stonybrook.edu
Caseload: H / I / J / K - Tricia Simons
International Student & Scholar AdvisorPhone: (631) 632-2933
Email: tricia.simons@stonybrook.edu
Caseload: L / M / J-1 Students - Alison EassaAssistant Director; International Student Advisor
Phone: (631) 632-7036
Email: alison.eassa@stonybrook.edu
Caseload: N / O / P / Q - Meagen Stephani
International Student AdvisorPhone: (631) 632-1103
Email: meagen.stephani@stonybrook.edu
Caseload: R / S / T / U / V - Alissa Chomicki
International Student AdvisorPhone: (631) 632-1138
Email: alissa.chomicki@stonybrook.edu
Caseload: W / X / Y / Z
Faculty & Scholar Advisors
- Kelly LuquerInternational Faculty & Scholar Manager; International Student Advisor
Phone: (631) 632-7192
Email:kelly.luquer@stonybrook.edu - Jessica Raphael
International Faculty & Scholar AdvisorPhone: (631) 632-1655
Email: jessica.raphael@stonybrook.edu
- Lindsi Walker
- Advising Hours & Document Pickup
F-1 Student Advising
VIS offers scheduled in-person advising, as well as and virtual advising via Google Meet.
Day Time Type Monday
10am - 2pm
2pm - 4pmVirtual
In-PersonTuesday
10am - 12pm
12pm - 4pmIn-Person
VirtualWednesday
10am - 12pm
12pm - 2pm
2pm - 4pmVirtual
In-Person
VirtualThursday
10am - 4pm Virtual*
*First two and last two weeks of the semester onlyFriday
10am - 4pm
Virtual
Schedule an F-1 Student Advising Appointment
* Advising hours are subject to change without notice.
J-1 Student Advising
To schedule a J-1 Student advising appointment, please email Tricia Simons at tricia.simons@stonybrook.edu.J-1 Scholar Advising
Day
Time
Type Monday
10am-12pm
Virtual or In-Person
Thursday
1pm-3pm
Virtual
Friday 12pm-2pm Virtual
Document PickupDocument drop off / pick up is available during regular business hours. When collecting documents, please be prepared to show your SBU I.D. card.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 UsIf you need assistance or have immigration related inquiries, please reach out to us using the following contact information:
Address: E-5310 Frank J. Melville Jr. Memorial Library, Stony Brook, NY 11794-3393
Phone: (631) 632-4685
Fax: (631) 632-7064
Email: vis@stonybrook.eduEmail Assistance
Monday - Friday 8:30AM - 4:30PM
E-Mail: vis@stonybrook.eduPlease allow 2-3 business days for a response. Business days are Monday through Friday, excluding university holidays.
Phone Assistance
Our phone line is managed by our student staff, who can assist you with general inquiries and connect you with resources. Please note that our student staff do not provide immigration advice. For general assistance, call (631) 632-4685.
For immigration-related questions, we encourage you to connect with an International Student or Scholar advisor during advising hours.
Get Help or Share Feedback
If your request is taking longer than the normal processing time (5-7 business days) without a status update, if it's been more than 2 business days since you emailed VIS staff without a response, or if you'd like to offer general feedback, please fill out our VIS Inquiry and Feedback Form. Our team will review your submission and get back to you with an updated timeline or guidance on next steps.