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Immigration
Immigration Visas and Arrival at Port of Entry (POE)
Most international students and scholars at SUNY Oswego are here on one of two visa types, either an F-1 or a J-1. Some scholars may arrive with a third type of visa known as an H-1B visa, or they may apply for such a visa upon their arrival on campus while in another status. Other international students may be on campus in a visa category not originally intended solely for study.
SUNY Oswego issues the F-1 visa most commonly for self-sponsored, and/or degree-seeking students at either the Graduate or Undergraduate level of study. For Academic Exchange students sponsored by an international agency or government, a J-1 visa may be requested, or required, by the sponsor for specific reasons.
There are benefits to both the F and J visa holder intended for the period during and after study, or for the J scholar, during and after project work.
When a student or scholar enters the US for the first time, s/he will be requested to complete an I-94 form prior to leaving US Customs and Immigration. If you arrive by plane, these forms will be given out on the aircraft prior to landing in the US. Ensure that you take the top portion of this I-94 form with you when you leave US Immigration.
If you have an I-20 Form [F-1 visa application] with you when you arrive in the US, you'll have four pages on two sheets of paper. Make sure that you have pages 1 to 3 with you when you leave US Immigration at your port of entry.
If you have an DS-2019Form [J-1 visa application] with you when you arrive in the US, make sure that you retain that form with you when you leave US Immigration at your port of entry.
If you are entering the US from Canada or Mexico by land, the same protocol applies. Ensure that you have the appropriate pages of your I-20 or DS-2019 and your I-94 form with you when you leave your border crossing and enter the US. If you are entering the U.S. initially by land from Canada or Mexico you may be charged $6.00 for your I-94 form.
In summary, when you leave US Immigration and enter the US, you should have your visa application [the appropriate pages of your DS-2019 or I-20], your I-94 and your stamped passport with you.
For more details about International Student visas to the USA, see this page: http://travel.state.gov/visa/tempvisitors_types_students2.html
If you have lost baggage during a trip, notify the airline responsible immediately, while you are still at the airport. Note the name of the airline employee and the time and date of your transaction. The airline should give you some kind of documentation before you leave the airport. Once that's done, continue to your destination. You can work on follow-up once you arrive on campus.
For more information on US visas and US Immigration, visit this site: http://travel.state.gov/visa/index.html
Medical Insurance
SUNY Health Form (From the Mary Walker Health Center)
View Complete Insurance Policy (456KB .pdf)
Medical insurance and a completed SUNY Health Form are mandatory for international students and scholars attending SUNY Oswego.
- The State University of New York Medical Insurance Plan is mandatory for all F and J visa students and scholars attending SUNY Oswego. Exceptions apply only to those scholars and students officially sponsored, covered, and thoroughly documented by a national government or international agency.
- The SUNY medical plan offers comprehensive coverage. It also provides on-campus claims assistance through the International Student and Scholar Services [ISSS] Office. To view the Certificate of Insurance and International Student Accident and Sickness Insurance Policy, click here - View Complete Policy - click on College Students, and follow the links for International Students.
- The cost for a month's coverage of medical insurance is $US 57.25; a full semester of coverage is $286.25; a calendar year's coverage is $687.25. Minimum coverage runs from the 15th of any given month to the 15th of the following month.
- As long as a student or scholar remains in the USA on SUNY Oswego's F or J visa, medical insurance will be required.
- All new international students will be expected to pay their medical insurance as part of their bill, at the Bursar's Office, within five business days after their arrival on campus. Major credit cards are accepted by the Bursar's Office. Neither the Office of International Education, nor the ISSS, can accept credit card payments.
Students who do not have appropriate medical insurance prior to the start of classes may have their course registration blocked or cancelled. Subsequent registrations may also be blocked or cancelled unless students can show the appropriate and necessary coverage for any continuing semesters.
Employment & Taxes
Students holding F or J visas may work on campus up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and full-time during extended holiday periods. Students should be aware that this employment is not guaranteed, and that income derived from this work may not be enough to have any major impact on campus costs. Off-campus employment for F and J visa students is permitted only under restricted circumstances defined by INS regulations.
Illegal employment may result in deportation. Students should pay close attention to this fact.
On-campus work includes employment in the dining halls, restaurants, residence halls, bake shop, computer centers, and limited possibilities in the Tutoring Center and Instructional Technology Center. Graduate students may waive some of their tuition costs through a limited number of assistantships, which are occasionally available in the second year of study.
No student should count on the availability of on-campus work to pay tuition, fees, room, or board.
Taxes
All students in F and J status are required to file tax papers, even if you have earned no income in the United States. For example, Internal Revenue Service [IRS] Tax Form 8843 is required of each student, whether or not s/he has found work. Here are some of the forms that you may have to complete:
Federal Forms:
For tax purposes:
http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/index.html
For employment purposes:
Form W-2 Wage and Tax Statement - Gives you a tax receipt of your earnings and taxes and benefits paid out from your check.
Form W-4 Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate - Must be completed prior to receipt of your first pay check from any employer. Claim "1" in lines A, B, and E.
W-9 Request for ITIN Number - Required for tax purposes if you have no Social Security Number.
Form I-9 Department of Justice - Employment Eligibility Verification
New York State Forms:
For tax purposes:
http://www.tax.state.ny.us/forms/
Forms required for non-residents:
http://www.tax.state.ny.us/forms/income_nonresident_forms.htm
For employment purposes:
IT-2104E - Certificate of Exemption from Withholding
IT-2104 - Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate
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