Current International Students

First of all, please keep in mind that you can remain in the United States with an expired F-1 visa as long as you maintain your student status. See U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for more information. 

If you are returning to your home country or traveling to a country where automatic revalidation does not apply, you must have a valid F-1 student visa to return to the United States. We strongly suggest applying for a new F-1 visa at the United States Embassy in your home country of residence.

Here are some of the documents that you should bring with you to your F-1 visa interview to obtain a new visa:

• A valid Form I-20 from SUNY Oswego with a recent travel signature on page 2 (If the last signature under the Travel Endorsement was done less than a year ago, you should reach out to us at [email protected]).
• Any previously-issued I-20s
• An unexpired passport (valid at least 6 months into the future)
• Recent financial documents showing evidence of continued financial ability
• Receipt of your I-901 SEVIS fee payment
• Your student transcript (found in myOswego)
• Your certificate of enrollment verification
• Visa application form, fees, and photographs (consult the instructions under your home country at United States Embassy)
• Copies of EAD card if you are participating in the Optional Practical Training (OPT).

If you have any questions regarding the visa application process, don't hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected].

See how to request a Social Security number for the first time. 

Employers should provide the employment verification letter that includes the following information:

• Employer name
• Position title
• Rate of pay
• Working hours
• Employment start date
• Employment end date

Students who obtained the employment verification letter can submit it to the Employment Letter Submission Form for SSN Application (New). 

Once the student submits the Employment Letter Submission Form for SSN Application (New) form, the student will receive an email from us within 1-3 business days with the information on what to do next. 

Review the information How to Apply for Driver's License and the driver's license application process and documentation needed, as outlined on the Study in the States website. 

International students attending SUNY Oswego can apply at the Oswego County DMV. Bring original copies of the following documents:

• All signed versions of your Form I-20
• A valid passport and your most recent student visa.
• Proof of residence. All acceptable forms of proof can be found on ID-44.
• An SSN card or Form SSA-L676, “Refusal to Process SSN Application.”
• If you are on Optional Practical Training, bring your Form I-766, “Employment Authorization Document." The DMV will use the A number on this card to verify your status.

Additionally, provide documentation listed below. All acceptable forms of proof can be found on ID-44, which is an application for Driver License in New York. 

• Proof of citizenship
• Proof of lawful status
• Proof of date of birth

If you are a new student, please allow two weeks from the semester start date before you visit the local DMV to ensure that your SEVIS record is in Active Status.

First, review the Canadian government's website to determine if you need a visa in order to enter Canada.

Then, please review COVID-19 requirements for traveling to Canada. You should take care to upload your COVID-19 vaccination details and negative COVID-19 PCR test results to the ArriveCAN system and carry your receipt of upload, your pre-arrival test results, and proof of vaccination with you when you cross the border.

Finally, review the information below, For students who are planning to travel internationally, for a list of documents you need to bring to re-enter the United States.

Visit the official I-94 website.

• To retrieve the I-94 arrival/departure record, select Get Most Recent I-94.
• To retrieve the Traveler's History, select View Travel History.
• Once the option has been selected, read through the terms of service. It's important to understand and agree to these terms as they outline the legal aspects of using the I-94 online system. Select I Acknowledge and Agree.
• You'll be prompted to enter your personal information. Be sure to enter the information exactly as it appears on your current passport.
  • First Name 
  • Last Name
  • Birth Date
  • Document number: enter your passport number
  • Document Country of Issuance: select the country that issued your passport
  • Select Next to continue.
•  Once you've completed the form, you'll see a Results page. Select Print to save your record as a PDF file.

Here are the documents you need to bring to re-enter the United States:

• A physical (printed) copy of your Form I-20 or DS-2019. Make sure you have a valid Travel Endorsement - this is a signature from the International Student and Scholar Services Office in the Travel Endorsement section of your document (located on page 2 of the I-20, or on the bottom half of the DS-2019). A Travel Endorsement signature is only valid for 365 days (or 6 months if a student is on OPT), so be sure to complete the Form I-20/DS-2019 Request at least 3 days before your trip if you need a recent signature.
• Passport that is valid for at least 6 months into the future
• Valid student visa. If your student visa will expire by the time you intend to reenter the United States then you will need to obtain a new student visa at the United States Embassy or Consulate outside the U.S.
• SEVIS I-901 fee or proof that it has been paid. From the FMJFee website, you can make a payment, check the status, and print a copy of your receipt. 
• Proof of financial support
• Your most recent academic transcript and proof of enrollment at SUNY Oswego (strongly recommended)

Canadian students

According to the official U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Canada, a visa is not needed for Canadian citizens studying or participating in an exchange program in the United States. The following documentation is required:

• A Canadian passport
• The original I-20 (or DS-2019) certificate with a valid Travel Endorsement
• Proof that the SEVIS fee has been paid
• Proof of ability to pay school fees and living expenses in the United States
• Proof of ties to Canada

OPT students

Students on Optional Practical Training (OPT) who plan to travel abroad will need to bring additional documentation with them when reentering the United States. Students on OPT should contact the ISSS Office well in advance when planning for international travel.

• Unexpired passport valid until at least 6 months into the future
• Unexpired I-20 with valid travel endorsement signature. The signature on page 2 must be less than 6 months old on the date you return. Be sure to complete the Form I-20 Request well in advance of your trip if you need a recent signature.
• Valid Employment Authorization Document (EAD card)
• Form I-94
• A letter from your employer confirming employment and mentioning that you will be returning to the United States to resume employment
• A copy of a few most recent paystubs
• SEVIS I-901 fee, if you have Valid student visa. If your student visa will expire by the time you intend to reenter the United States then you will need to obtain a new student visa at the United States Embassy or Consulate outside the U.S. 

Students are encouraged to review U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for more details regarding international travel. Please notify us at [email protected] when you plan to travel internationally to make sure you are aware of any travel restrictions and to obtain a Travel Endorsement signature on your Form I-20 or DS-2019, if necessary.

F-1 and J-1 visa holder students can legally stay and study in the United States with an expired visa as long as Form I-20 is valid and Admit Until Date in I-94 says "D/S."

However, international students who leave the U.S. must present valid visas to enter the U.S. Therefore, if you are planning to re-enter the U.S. after the F-1 or J-1 visas have expired, you would need to apply for a new visa before seeking re-admission to the U.S. Visas cannot be renewed in the United States and students need to reach out to the U.S. embassy outside of the USA. Please note that students cannot apply for a visa or renew their visa in the United States.

Once you are issued a new visa, please take a photo and send it to [email protected] for record-keeping purposes.

Please review the Registrar's Office resource for retrieving enrollment verification documents.

A Social Security number is needed to verify students. Visit the Registrar's Office if you need to update your SSN information in order to obtain an enrollment verification. A valid mailing address is also needed to obtain an online enrollment verification. Before the start of the term, be sure your address information is correct.

For any additional questions related to retrieving your enrollment verification, please reach out to the Registrar's Office via email at [email protected].

Important: Exchange students are also advised to reach out to Registrar's Office to retrieve an enrollment verification letter.