FAQ's
Office hours are Monday-Friday, from 8:30-4:30.
Appointments are strongly encouraged
The best way to reach the ISS is to email ISS@SUNYPoly.edu.
Additionally, there is information on our website that may answer your questions, and we encourage you to review our website carefully for valuable information.
International Student Services
State University of New York Polytechnic Institute
Student Center, Room 109
100 Seymour Road
Utica, NY 13502 USA
The Form I-20
YES. Students are required to maintain records of all of their old Form I-20's.
You may be asked to provide these copies in the future by USCIS.
If you lose a Form I-20, or it is damaged, then you should make sure you are able to explain that the document was lost/damaged and is not in your records any longer.
While it is required that you keep your I-20s for your records, USCIS does understand that these documents may be lost or damaged in some situations.
Students should reprint their Form I-20 reprinted only if information printed on the Form I-20 has changed, or, if you have lost/damaged your I-20.
Students often request reprints of their Form I-20 when it is not necessary.
It is advised that you only request a reprint when it is truly needed.
The ISS will deny reprint requests that are not necessary at that time.
Students will need to obtain an updated “travel authorization” on page 2 of their Form I-20 for travel outside of the U.S.
These travel authorizations are valid for (1) year while students are enrolled in their program of study at SUNY Poly, and for (6) months when students are engaged in post completion OPT/STEM Extension OPT.
Travel Authorizations should only be requested if your Form I-20 does not currently have a valid (unexpired) authorization on page 2.
Requests for travel authorizations will be denied if the student already has a document with a valid signature.
To learn more about Travel Requirements or request a travel authorization signature, visit Maintaining F-1 Status
Submit a request for a Reprint of your Form I-20 and indicate that your Form I-20 was lost or damaged as the reason for the reprint request.
The reason for the reprint will be noted in SEVIS, so if your document was lost, USCIS will have a record that you reported that your prior I-20 as lost/damaged.
Maybe. If you are currently enrolled in coursework at SUNY Poly and need to extend your Form I-20 in order to continue your courses.
Students may not delay their program completion/graduation and are required to follow program guidelines.
Students may not extend their program in order to facilitate employment in any way.
Review the information provided about Program Extensions carefully.
If you are engaged in your initial 12 months of post completion OPT, you may be eligible for a STEM OPT Extension.
Travel
Full instructions and information about travel requirements are available at Maintaining F-1 Status
The ISS recommends that students make copies of all immigration documents and keep these copies (electronic of physical) in a safe place in case any documents are lost.
F-1 Students do not require a travel authorization on page 2 of their Form I-20 to travel within the U.S.
Students should carry their passport, Form I-20, state ID (driver’s license, etc.), and college ID
F-1 Students who depart the U.S. must have the following documents to re-enter the U.S.:
- Form I-20 with valid travel authorization on p. 2
- Valid passport
- Valid F-1 Visa stamp
- Valid EAD card AND proof of employment in the U.S. (during the post completion OPT or STEM OPT employment period only)
To find out if you need a visitor's visa to enter Canada, check to see if your country is on the list available on the Canadian Government website.
The ISS cannot advise on application requirements and processes to enter other countries. If you wish to travel to other countries, you must review the requirements for each country you wish to visit prior to your travel.
Visas
Your F-1 Visa stamp may expire while you are present in the U.S.
You do not need to renew your Visa stamp in order to remain in the U.S. as long as you are otherwise maintaining your status lawfully.
You must have a valid Form I-20, with a program end date in the future OR valid post completion OPT or STEM OPT authorization.
If your visa stamp expires, and you intend to travel outside of the U.S., you will be required to renew your visa prior to re-entering the U.S.
No, visa’s cannot be renewed while you are in the U.S. You may only renew these at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in a foreign country.
All students must have a valid, unexpired passport while present in the U.S.
You cannot allow your passport to expire!
If your passport will/is expired, you must contact the Embassy for your home country which is located in the U.S.
Your Embassy will instruct and assist you with passport renewals.
Every country/embassy may have different requirements, so the ISS cannot advise or assist in this process. You must work with the embassy directly to obtain the documents you need.
Any individual who wishes to come to the U.S. for any purpose must review the information and instructions provided by the U.S. Embassy in their home country.
The ISS and SUNY Poly cannot assist with visa applications for family and friends.
NO! Many students falsely believe they need to provide an invitation letter for their family to obtain a visa for travel to the U.S.
In truth, embassy officials have been asking school officials to stop issuing “invitation letters” because they do not want them, and students falsely believe they are important to the visa application process.
Despite this clear guidance, some students still believe that an “invitation letter” will help their families obtain the visas they need.
If any student insists on providing an “invitation letter”, they may opt to use the template provided at Maintaining F-1 Status
The ISS and SUNY Poly will not issue any letters to “invite” family members for your graduation. If you wish to provide a letter for your family, you must write this letter yourself, as YOU (not SUNY Poly) are the one who is inviting them to your graduation ceremony.
Any student who insists on providing an “invitation letter” may opt to use the template provided at Maintaining F-1 Status
To find out if you need a visitor’s visa to enter Canada please check to see if your country is on the list available on the Canadian Government website at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp
Applicants for Canadian visas must submit applications by mail to a Canadian consulate. For complete instructions please visit the Government of Canada website.
I have an F-2 visa and want to change it to a F-1 visa.
To change status from F-2 dependent to F-1 student, an application, fee, and supporting documents must be sent to USCIS. The PDSO will review completed application materials, make photocopies of them and mail packet for applicants.
Applicants for a change of status from F-2 to F-1 may not attend SUNY Poly until their change of status is approved by USCIS. For complete details on how to apply for a change of status, please contact iss@sunypoly.edu.
Possibly. To determine if you are eligible for Automatic Revalidation, review the information provided by the U.S. Department of State carefully.
CPT (Internship)
Complete instructions and information about Curricular Practical Training can be reviewed at Employment for F-1 Students
You may not begin any employment until you have received full approval from the ISS and your SUNY Poly Academic department.
Students should review the information and instructions outlined at Employment for F-1 Students
Students cannot begin any employment until you have received full approval from the ISS and your SUNY Poly Academic department.
You must have an updated Form I-20, issued by the ISS, with your CPT authorization listed on page 2.
You may not begin working until your CPT authorized start date, as printed on your Form I-20.
You may only work during the period authorized on your Form I-20.
You cannot begin working until the start date on your Form I-20.
You cannot work past the end date listed on your Form I-20
If you wish to continue working beyond the authorized employment end date on your Form I-20, you should contact the ISS to inquire about your ability to extend your CPT authorization.
Possibly. If your employer would like for you to continue your employment, for any length of time after the next semester has begun, you will need to submit a new CPT Request.
A new CPT request must be submitted for every semester (Fall/Spring/Summer) you wish to engage in CPT employment.
Students will be required to enroll in the corresponding internship course for every semester they are engaged in CPT employment.
If your academic department authorizes that your employment is an integral part of your degree, and your program completion is not delayed due to engage in CPT authorization, you may be authorized for CPT in multiple semesters.
If you are engaged in FULL TIME CPT authorization (20+ hours per week) for more than 364 days, you will forfeit your post completion OPT benefits.
There is no limit on the number of days you may be approved for PART TIME CPT (less than 20 hours per week).
OPT
Complete instructions and information about Optional Practical Training can be reviewed at Employment for F-1 Students
Students must submit the OPT Form I-20 Request to the ISS
The ISS will review this information and, if approved, issue an updated Form I-20 which will outline the OPT Request information on page 2.
Students must then submit all required documents to USCIS, including but not limited to:
- Form I-765
- Form I-765 application fee
- Form I-20 with OPT request
- Passport size photos
- Photocopies of your passport and F-1 visa
- Photocopies of all previously issued Form I-20s
- Copy of your SUNY Poly transcript
- Copy of your most recent I-94 record
USCIS may take up to 3-5 months to review your OPT application once you have fully submitted it.
Once USCIS reviewes your application, if approved, you will receive your EAD in the mail. You cannot begin working until you receive your EAD.
Once your OPT is approved by USCIS, you are responsible for updating the SEVP Portal with all employment information and changes.
YOU report this information into the SEVP Portal directly, the ISS does not do this for you.
There is no need to email the ISS with your Post Completion OPT employment information.
Students are authorized up to 90 days of unemployment during their entire post completion OPT authorization period.
The 90 days is cumulative for the entire OPT period, and will accrue as time passes if no valid employment is reported in the SEVP Portal.
There is no penalty for using up to 90 days of unemployment, however, once the 90-day limit has been surpassed, it is expected that you will depart the U.S. and your OPT authorization will no longer be valid.
If your SUNY Poly program of study was a STEM eligible field, you may apply for the STEM OPT Employment Extension.
STEM OPT Extension applications must be submitted prior to the end of your current OPT authorization.
All information and instructions about the STEM OPT Extension application process may be reviewed at Employment for F-1 Students
STEM OPT Extension applications must be submitted prior to the end of your current OPT authorization.
Social Security Numbers
Complete instructions and information about Social Security requirements can be reviewed at Employment for F-1 Students
Students are not eligible for a social security number unless they have authorized employment.
Only the Social Security Administration may issue Social Security Numbers.
ou must contact the Social Security Administration to inquire about the process to replace a lost or destroyed SSN card.
You do not need a SSN to obtain a NY state drivers licenses
Any student interested in obtaining a NY state drivers license should review the information provided by the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) carefully.
Dependents
Spouses on F-2 visas are not permitted to work in the United States.
Spouses on J-2 visas can apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS in order to be employed in the United States. The employment may not be for the purpose of financially supporting the J-1 spouse. The J-2 may begin employment only after receiving the EAD from USCIS.
Spouses on F-2 visas may not take part in full-time study. F-2 spouses may take part in study that is “a vocational or recreational in nature,” meaning to pursue a hobby or if the study is occasional, casual, or recreational. This means they may not take part in classes that lead to a degree. Spouses on J-2 visas may study in the United States.
Emergencies
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) occasionally will pull students aside for “Secondary Inspections”.
Secondary Inspection is often a random, more thorough examine of your documents and paperwork.
If you are pulled aside for secondary inspection, remain calm and provide the CBP officer with the information they are requesting.
Secondary inspection may take a few minutes, but can sometimes take a few hours depending on the information the CBP officer is reviewing. It is important to remain calm and provide the information to the officer as requested.
Students may leave the U.S. at any time and do not need prior authorization or approval.
A valid travel authorization on their Form I-20 will be required to return to the U.S.
This may be issued after your departure. You do not need to have this signature or updated document to depart the U.S.
Students in need of immigration advising may review the information and options available through the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).
Miscellaneous Questions
Following program completion, F-1 students have a 60-day “grace period” during which they may”
- Depart the U.S.
- Apply for Post completion OPT (if they have not already done so)
- Transfer their SEVIS record to another University in the U.S.
- Apply for a change of status to remain in the U.S. for a different purpose than to be enrolled as a student.
- The ISS cannot advise or assist with any change of status applications or procedures to change from F-1 to any another status.
- All questions about these options or procedures must be directed to an immigration attorney.
Information about SEVIS transfer requirements may be reviewed at Maintaining F-1 Status
All information about your student health insurance may be reviewed at Medical Insurance - International Students | SUNY Polytechnic Institute
The ISS cannot advise on health insurance coverage or benefits. Questions should be directed to the Wellness Center.
All transcript requests or questions about course registration/requirements should be directed to the Registrars Office
The ISS cannot assist or advise on transcript or course registration matters.
All billing and tuition inquiries must be directed to the Bursars Office
The ISS cannot assist or advise on billing and tuition matters.
