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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
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      Senior Associate ProvostOffice of Global Affairs


      Email: lindsi.walker@stonybrook.edu
    • Meghan Gambino
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      Assistant DeanVisa and Immigration Services


      Email: meghan.gambino@stonybrook.edu
    • Alison Eassa
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      Assistant Director; International Student Advisor


      Email: alison.eassa@stonybrook.edu
    • Nicole Elkins
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      International Student & Scholar Assistant


      Phone: 631-632-1140

      Email: nicole.elkins@stonybrook.edu


    Student Advisors

    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.

    • Laura Perles
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      International Student Advisor
      Phone: (631) 632-7170

      Email:laura.perles@stonybrook.edu

      Caseload: A / B / C
    • Kelly Luquer
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      International Student Advisor; International Faculty  & Scholar Manager
      Phone: (631) 632-7192

      Email:kelly.luquer@stonybrook.edu

      Caseload: D / E / F / G
    • Tricia Simons
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      International Student & Scholar Advisor
      Phone: (631) 632-2933

      Email: tricia.simons@stonybrook.edu

      Caseload: H / I / J / K / J-1 Students
    • Christos Kalesis
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      International Student Advisor
      Phone: (631) 632-7048

      Email:christos.kalesis@stonybrook.edu

      Caseload: L / M / N
    • Alison Eassa
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      Assistant Director; International Student Advisor
      Phone: (631) 632-7036

      Email: alison.eassa@stonybrook.edu

      Caseload: O / P / Q / R
    • Meagen Stephani
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      International Student Advisor
      Phone: (631) 632-1103

      Email: meagen.stephani@stonybrook.edu

      Caseload: S / T / U / V
    • Alissa Chomicki
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      International Student Advisor
      Phone: (631) 632-1138

      Email: alissa.chomicki@stonybrook.edu

      Caseload: W / X / Y / Z

     


    Faculty & Scholar Advisors

    • Kelly Luquer
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      International Faculty  & Scholar Manager; International Student Advisor
      Phone: (631) 632-7192

      Email:kelly.luquer@stonybrook.edu
    • Jessica Raphael
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      International Faculty  & Scholar Advisor
      Phone: (631) 632-1655

      Email: jessica.raphael@stonybrook.edu
  • Advising Hours & Document Pickup


    F-1 Student Advising

    VIS offers in-person, walk-in advising (no appointment necessary) and virtual advising via Google Meet.
    Day Time Type
    Monday
    10am - 2pm
    2pm - 4pm
    Virtual
    Walk-In
    Tuesday
    10am - 4pm
    Virtual
    Wednesday
    10am - 12pm
    12pm - 2pm
    2pm - 4pm
    Virtual
    Walk-In
    Virtual
    Thursday
    No advising on Thursdays No advising on Thursdays
    Friday
    10am - 4pm
    Virtual

    Schedule an F-1 Student Advising Appointment

     

     

    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
    Tuesday
    10am-12pm
    Virtual
    Friday
    12pm-2pm
    Virtual
     



    Document Pickup 

    Document 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
    8:30am - 4:30pm
    Tuesday
    8:30am - 4:30pm
    Wednesday
    8:30am - 4:30pm
    Thursday
    8:30am - 4:30pm
    Friday
    8:30am - 4:30pm
     
  • Contact


    Contact Us

    If 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.edu

    Email Assistance

    Monday - Friday 8:30AM - 4:30PM
    E-Mail: vis@stonybrook.edu

    Please 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.

    Advising Hours & Scheduling

    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.

    VIS Inquiry and Feedback Form