New!! International Thanksgiving Dinner Reply Card
New Travel Seminar Schedule (see below)
Please read the letter from Dr. Patricia Burak, Director of SCIS regarding the latest updates on Health Insurance.
Swine Flu (H1N1 virus) Information Update, please click here.
Regular Office Hours
During the semester, the Slutzker Center for International Services is open daily Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
SCIS Advisors will be available daily for brief walk-in questions from 11:00 am. to 3:00 pm only. Students are welcome to come in during these hours should they wish to see an advisor without an appointment.
Scholars and students, who cannot come in during student advising hours, please call 315-443-2457 to request an appointment.
If you have a general inquiry, please e-mail us at lescis@syr.edu.
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SCIS Seminars 
Seminars begin promptly at time indicated.
Practical Training:
1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month
CPT – 3:00pm
OPT – 3:45pm
New!!There will be an extra Practical Training Seminar on Wednesday, November 25. CPT at 3:00pm and OPT at 3:45pm.
Travel Information:
1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month – 1:30pm
From Monday, November 9th through the Friday, December 18th, seminars will be held every business day at the Slutzker Center. When you come for the seminar, please make sure to bring your original I-20/DS-2019, passport, visa, I-94 card, and proof of health insurance. Your health insurance should contain medical evacuation and repatriation. If it does not, you must purchase the supplemental MedEx policy, which costs $25/person per year.
Monday - 2:00pm
On Campus Employment:
Tuesday – 2:00pm
Friday – 9:30am
Life after Practical Training:
1st Monday of every month 2:00pm
By appointment
Off Campus Employment:
By appointment only
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U.S. Immigration Requirements If You Are Leaving Syracuse University Permanently.
SCIS advisers are often asked what the immigration requirements are if a student will no longer be continuing at SU, either because the student is returning to his/her home country, or is beginning Practical Training or Academic Training, or because the student is going to begin study at a new school.
Regardless of your plans, retain your old I-20s (or DS-2019s)! These forms represent your immigration history in the United States and should be kept in a safe place as you would keep any important document in case you might need them in the future.
The immigration regulatory process for transferring your F-1 status from Syracuse University to a new school in the United States requires you to complete a Transfer Out Form with the SCIS so that your federal SEVIS record can be transferred to your new school. The Transfer Out Form and more detailed information may be found on our website:
http://international.syr.edu/transfer_out.htm
Also, follow your new school's instructions for Transfer In forms, obtaining your I-20, and for reporting to that school in a timely fashion.
Students who will be ending their studies this December but have no plans to apply for practical training (F-1), academic training (J-1) or continue at a new school or in a new field or level of study (i.e. Master's, J.D., Ph.D), or seek a change of non-immigrant status must depart the United States within 60 days of their academic program end date if they are in F-1 status (see item #5 on your current I-20), or within 30 days if they are in J-1 status.
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Latest Information on H-1B Visa Processing
The most recent H-1B updates were published on November 6, 2009, approximately 54,700 H-1B cap-subject petitions had been filed.
USCIS will provide regular updates on the processing of FY2010 H-1B petitions. The updates can be found on the USCIS’ Web site at www.uscis.gov/h-1b_count
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Beware of false immigration Web sites
Students should be aware that there have been reports of false Immigration websites that strongly resemble the US Immigration Services website and often require payment for access to information and forms. Relevant information and all immigration forms are available free of charge on the US Immigration Services website http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis
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STEM Code Update
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OPT Extension/ Cap Gap Rule
On April 8, 2008, DHS published the interim final rule that changes several key aspects of F-1 optional practical training (OPT). The rule is effective April 8, 2008.
The new rule published in the Federal Register will allow F-1 nonimmigrant students with certain STEM degrees (i.e., Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) to extend their OPT by 17 months if they meet the eligibility requirements and also expands cap gap relief to all F-1 students with pending H-1B petitions. More information...
Interim Rule with NAFSA Annotations
SEVIS Policy Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions
USCIS OPT Extension/Cap Gap Relief FAQ's_#1
USCIS OPT Extension/Cap Gap Relief FAQ's_#2
E-Verify
SCIS STEM Extension Webpage (w/ application process)
SCIS OPT Extension/ Cap-Gap Handout
SCIS Cap Gap Relief Webpage (W/ requesting Cap Gap I-20 instructions
USCIS to Allow F-1 Students Opportunity to Request Change of Status
USCIS Reaches FY 2009 H-1B Cap
STEM Extension Information
The STEM degree CIP Codes listed in the document below are not currently eligible for the 17 month OPT extension.
The Slutzker Center is working on compiling a list of eligible SUNY-ESF CIP Codes.
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