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 Student Orientation & Immigration Intake

  
  F-1 Student Orientation & Immigration Intake

  "International Student Check-in" is a federally mandated process that ensures compliance with immigration regulations for all international students. It ​i​ncludes electronically report​ing 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 F-1 International Student Orientation as soon as you receive your Form I-20. This will help expedite the overall process and ensure that you have a solid understanding of how to maintain your F-1 status.

  Step 1: F-1 International Student Orientation

  The F-1 International Student Orientation is specifically designed to provide you with essential information on how to maintain your F-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 I-20. Doing so will help expedite the overall process and ensure that you have a solid understanding of how to maintain your F-1 status.

  To begin, click on the link below to access the comprehensive F-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 "F-1 International Student Orientation Form" section 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 F-1 International Student Orientation and completed the submission process in accessVIS.

  F-1 International Student orientation

  How to Access the F-1 Student Orientation & Immigration Intake in accessVIS

  1. Click the "Start Your Check-in" button below.
  2. On the accessVIS main page, click the "LOG IN" button. If you don't know your NetID, log in through New Student/Scholar Login (Limited Services) using your Stony Brook ID#, PIN, and date of birth.
  3. Enter your NetID Single Sign On username and password and then click on the “Log In” button.
  4. Navigate to "Arrival & Intake" on the left side menu bar of the accessVIS homepage.
  5. ​Click "F-1 Student Orientation & Immigration Intake" and complete all required e-forms.

  Start Your Check-in

  Step 2: Complete and Submit the Immigration Intake

  Upon your arrival in the United States, it is mandatory that all F-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 I-20
  • Passport (Picture/Information Page)
  • U.S. F-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 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:

  1. Login to SOLAR with your Stony Brook University ID number and password.
  2. Go to Security and Personal Data then click Addresses.
  3. 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.
  4. Verify your address information, and select "Local" under Address Type.
  5. Click Save, then OK. Your local address should now appear.

  For guidance on formatting your address correctly, click here. 

• J-1 Student Orientation & Immigration Intake

  
  J-1 Student Orientation & Immigration Intake

  International Student Check-in is a federally mandated process that ensures compliance with immigration regulations for all international students. It ​i​ncludes electronically report​ing 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

  1. Click the "Start Your Check-in" button below.
  2. 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. 
  3. Enter your NetID Single Sign On username and password and then click on the “Log In” button.
  4. Click "Arrival & Intake" which can be found on the leftside menu bar on the accessVIS homepage.

  Start Your Check-in

  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:

  1. Login to SOLAR with your Stony Brook University ID number and password.
  2. Go to Security and Personal Data then click Addresses.
  3. 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.
  4. Verify your address information, and select "Local" under Address Type.
  5. Click Save, then OK. Your local address should now appear.

  For guidance on formatting your address correctly, click here.