About - ISSO

The International Student Services Office (ISSO) is the main resource for assistance with immigration matters, as well as personal, social, and cultural adjustment during your time here at Suffolk University.

International students at Suffolk are supported by the peer and staff experts of the ISSO. These advisors serve as advocates to the University community and help connect international students to the resources around Suffolk that they need. The ISSO also helps University faculty and staff best serve our international student population.

Make an Appointment

The International Student Services Office (ISSO) is here to help. Students can schedule an appointment to meet with an International Advisor. To learn more about how to schedule an appointment, view our Make an Appointment page, or give us a call at 617-573-8034.

COVID-19 resulted in many changes for higher education students, and the guidance from SEVP for international students has evolved throughout the pandemic. Please carefully review the FAQs below for information about current immigration guidance and the upcoming semester at Suffolk. If you have additional questions, please contact the International Student Services Office.

FAQs

The normal, pre-COVID rule states that international students may only take one online course while studying in the United States.

In March 2020, SEVP released new, temporary guidance permitting schools to adapt their policies and procedures to rapidly changing health and safety conditions.

During the pandemic, SEVP allowed F-1 students to temporarily take more than one online from inside or outside the United States.

No. In May 2022 SEVP updated the guidelines to return to pre-pandemic rules for certain students, depending on when they began their studies.

Suffolk will be returning to pre-pandemic guidance for all direct-enroll International students. This means that if you are enrolling, or are enrolled, in a Suffolk degree program, you may take one online course.

If you are enrolled in an Academic English or Pathway program, like INTO Suffolk, you are not eligible to take online classes.

Refer to ICE.gov/COVID19 for the most up-to-date version.

If you would like to request a travel letter please contact the International Student Services Office.

Staff

Name Title
Viviana Leyva Associate Director, Center for Education & Study Away
Leanne Dolat
 International Student Advisor
Christopher Murphy
 International Student Advisor
Amy Ewen
 Director, Center for International Education & Study Away