About - ISSO
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.
International Student Services FAQs
Where can I find information about current immigration guidance and the upcoming spring semester at Suffolk?
Be sure you carefully review the International Students FAQs on Suffolk’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) Advisory website. These pages contain a great deal of important information about immigration, university operations, health and safety, course modalities, etc.
I am a student who started my first semester at Suffolk remotely OR I am a student who deferred my acceptance to the next semester. How do I obtain my I-20?
Please email the International Student Services Office to connect with an International Student Advisor who will work with you to collect the necessary documents in order for the I-20 to be issued.
What happens to my F-1/J-1 status if I have to return to my home country?
You should make sure that your I-20 or DS-2019 has a recent travel signature and that your student visa will be valid for when you plan to return to the United States. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued new guidance, and you can now take online or remote courses in the U.S. or from abroad. You can also participate remotely in practical training by working collaboratively with an employer.
If your I-20 does not have a recent travel signature (signed in the last 6 months), you can email the ISSO to request a new I-20 sent to you via email.
What if I left the U.S. without getting a travel signature?
You can email the ISSO to request a new I-20 with a travel signature. The I-20 will be sent to you via email. Be sure to print it out in colored ink.
You can request shipment of your I-20 if you require a physical version with the original signature. Due to COVID-19’s impact, however, regulations permit the use of a printed version of the I-20 in color which can easily be sent to you via email.
Who do I need to contact if I will be leaving the country?
Please email the International Student Services Office to register your travel plans.
If my F or J visa expires while I'm abroad, what do I do?
Arrange to renew your visa as soon as possible. Check your U.S. consulate or embassy to see if it has reopened, as the status of individual embassies will vary. You can request transcripts and an enrollment verification letter from the Registrar’s Office. If you need additional assistance, please contact the International Student Services Office.
I am a graduate student. Is my situation any different?
No and yes. Given current DHS guidance, and from an immigration status and legal standpoint only, you are subject to the same policies as all other international students studying on campus.
As a graduate student, you should carefully consider how the decision to return home might affect your degree requirements and on-time graduation. Please discuss your academic progress with your program director and/or graduate program advisor (your advisor information can be found on your Program Evaluation in WebAdvisor).
I live in a different time zone. How do I attend my classes?
Please contact the faculty member in charge of your class for information on how the time difference will be accommodated. All faculty have been instructed to make accommodations for students in time zones that are significantly different from Boston.
What happens if I cannot access the internet consistently and/or I get sick and cannot participate in classes?
The University is urging all faculty to be flexible in these situations. Please contact your professors directly with any questions.
If after multiple unsuccessful attempts to contact your professor, then we advise that you reach out to your Academic Dean’s office (CAS, SBS, or LAW) to request assistance.
Do I need any special approvals to take my courses online for the rest of the semester?
No, DHS guidance from Fall 2020 remains in effect for the spring semester and continuing international students are permitted to take all coursework online.
If my classes are all online, can I still do my CPT?
Yes, as long as you stay enrolled in the required internship course. The professor of your internship course will send instructions on how to continue with your coursework. Ask your employer about the possibility of working remotely, too. If you decide not to continue in CPT, be sure you alert your professor, your faculty advisor/program director, and the ISSO immediately.
How will I receive my diploma?
The Registrar’s Office will mail you your diploma. As an additional courtesy, all international students with receive an official transcript together with the diploma. You will also receive a secure PDF version via email.
Can I apply for OPT from outside the United States?
At this time, DHS regulations still require you to be physically present in the United States when you apply for OPT. Please contact the International Student Services Office for more details.
What happens to my OPT if my employment is remote? Will it be considered unemployment?
No, as long as you have been hired and are still considered an employee of the company, you are not accruing unemployment days.
Now that the job market is down, what do I do if my unemployment is approaching 90 days? What are my options for employment?
The Career Development Center has created an excellent collection of COVID-19 Job Search Resources to help you during this challenging time.
If you continue to struggle to find paid work, you are able to accept an unpaid job or internship in the meantime. You can also be self-employed during OPT. Try to seek help from a staffing agency, too.
If you have no job within the 90-day employment window, you cannot start one after that and we cannot report it to DHS on your behalf, unfortunately.
Citizens of my home country are not currently permitted to enter the United States. Can I come back for the spring semester?
The Department of Homeland Security prevents citizens from certain “high risk” countries from entering the United States. All travel restrictions are subject to change, and the best method is to wait and see if you will be permitted to re-enter the country. You can consult the Center for Disease Control and Protection (CDC) for updates. You may also consider traveling to a third country, staying for the quarantine period (14 days as of September 14, 2020 – check the CDC website for the latest update), and then returning to the U.S. However, by the time your next semester starts, travel restrictions could be lifted.
We also strongly recommend that you monitor the website of your home country’s embassy in the U.S., as well as you home country’s national public health agency.
If I am not able to return to campus, am I able to take classes online during the spring and summer?
Yes.
Do I still have to file a tax return in the United States?
Yes, all international students are required to file a tax return as a condition of their visa. The deadline to file your tax return will be April 15, 2021.
Staff
Name | Title |
---|---|
Gregory Jabaut | Director, Center for International Programs & Services |
Viviana Leyva | Assistant Director, Center for International Programs & Services |
Manager of Short-Term Global Programs | Faculty-Led Program and International Internship Manager |
Tyler Crespi |
International Student Advisor |
Valentina Joseph |
International Student Advisor |