International Students

Employment is defined by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) as "any type of work performed or services provided in exchange for money, tuition, fees, books, supplies, room, food or any other benefit."

As an international student, you can engage in employment outside of campus only when specifically authorized by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

With your F-1 visa in status, you may engage in on-campus employment through SBU. On-campus employment is limited to a maximum of 10 hours per week. You do not need to apply to the USCIS to get an Employment Authorization Document.

Due to government regulations, students with an F-1 student visa status may only enter the U.S. 30 days prior to the start date of school.

The I-20 is a legal document that SBU will send you. You will bring this with you when you go to apply for a visa at the U.S. Embassy. This documents lets the U.S. consulate know that you meet our acceptance requirements and have proven that you can afford to come to SBU. The I-20 does not guarantee you a visa.

Once you have completed the application process and are accepted to SBU, we require the following documents:

• International Student Financial Information Form
• Copy of the identifying page of your passport
• $200 enrollment deposit

Once the Office of Undergraduate Admissions has received the above items, SBU will issue the necessary documents (Form I-20) for you to apply for a student visa. It is your responsibility to present all documents to the U.S. Embassy or consulate nearest you to obtain a student visa.

If you have Canadian citizenship, you do not need a student visa, but do need to have an I-20 and pay the SEVIS fee to be registered in the immigration database.

An F-1 student is someone who has residency in a foreign country to which he or she plans to return, and has come to the United States temporarily and solely for the purpose of attending college, university, seminary, conservatory or another academic institution.

The SEVIS I-901 fee is required for all F and M students as well as J exchange visitors. Paying your SEVIS I-901 is very important. Without this fee, you will not be eligible to apply for a visa. Once you receive your I-20, you will need to pay the $350 SEVIS fee and complete the Form I-901.

You are required to present the hard copy of the Payment Receipt for this fee at the time of your interview with the Consulate at the American Embassy.

When you are ready to pay your SEVIS fee, you can do so online at www.fmjfee.com.

If you have questions:

• First, check the I-901 FAQ page at www.ice.gov/sevis/i901
• If the answer to your questions is not there, then contact the I-901 Help Desk at (US) 1-212-620-3418
• Or, email the SEVIS Representatives at fmjfee.sevis@dhs.gov.

You are subject to immigration laws imposed by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). You must keep your basic documents valid. If you entered the United States as a student, you must maintain that status by enrolling in a minimum of 12 credit hours for undergraduate students. Failure to maintain status will result in a loss of all F-1 benefits and may provide the INS grounds to begin deportation proceedings.

Your passport allows you to leave and enter the country. All passports must be renewed six months before their expiration date as long as you are a student with an F-1 status. You should contact your home country's embassy for specific instructions. In the case your visa has expired and you plan to travel outside the U.S., you may need to return to your home country to apply for a new student visa. If your visa has expired and you have no plans to travel outside of the U.S., then it will not be necessary to obtain a new visa provided that you are maintaining your status as an international student.