Editor鈥檚 Note: The ISSS Newsletter is distributed monthly. Between monthly newsletters, please follow us on Facebook and/or Instagram to learn more about programs, events, and updates.
Contents:
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International Coffee Hour: May 7th
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Reminder of ISSS Availability
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Summer Break and Travel Information Reminders
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Semester Withdrawal Deadline Reminder
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Leadership Volunteers needed for Fall 2025 International Student Orientation
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The Clock is Ticking on the Optional Practical Training (OPT) Application
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Extension of Stay
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REAL ID Reminder
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1. International Coffee Hour: May 7th at 3:00pm!
Wednesday, May 7 | 3:00pm - 4:30pm | Old Champlain Atrium (Old Champlain Hall, Room 133)
Good company! Complimentary refreshments! Come relax at our . May's Coffee Hour sponsors are the Office of Student Conduct and the CARE Team.
Participants will have the opportunity to learn more about the sponsor while mingling with both international and domestic students. There will be games, interactive activities, crafts, and complimentary coffee and snacks! We will also be celebrating our spring 2025 graduating students!
Please note that advising hours will be from 1:30pm-3:00pm on May 7. If you are traveling over the summer break and your travel signature will be more than 12 months old when you return to the US, you should get an updated signature. ISSS staff will be available at International Coffee Hour to issue updated travel signatures. Bring your I-20 or DS-2019 to get a new travel signature!
If you have any questions about International Coffee Hour, contact Annie Smith (dsmith66@binghamton.edu), ISSS Programming Coordinator. All are welcome!
2. Reminder of ISSS Availability
Advising Hours:
The office of International Student and Scholar Services holds advising hours on Mondays and Tuesdays from 10:00am to 11:45am and Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm. Please visit the ISSS website for updates.
Special Notices:
On Wednesday, May 7, advising hours will be from 1:30pm-3:00pm, with advisors available at International Coffee Hour for travel signatures.
The ISSS will be unavailable on Monday, May 26 in observance of Memorial Day. Please visit the ISSS website for updates.
Summer Hours:
On Monday, May 19, 2025 the ISSS will begin to operate on 鈥渟ummer hours.鈥 This means that staff will be available from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm Monday-Friday during the summer break.
3. Summer Break and Travel Information Reminders
The ISSS Office recommends that you use caution when planning travel outside the United States. Travel restrictions have the potential to affect your ability to return to the United States. If you choose to travel internationally, your travel plans may be disrupted, and you may be forced to remain outside of the U.S. for an indefinite amount of time.
If you choose to travel outside the United States:
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- Make sure that you have all of the required documents to return to the US, including a valid passport, a valid F-1 or J-1 visa, and an I-20 or DS-2019 with a valid travel signature. If the signature on your I-20 or DS-2019 will be more than 12 months old (6 months for students on OPT or STEM OPT) when you return to the US, you should visit the ISSS office for an updated signature before you leave or online. Review the detailed instructions on our Travel page for more information. Students who are on OPT or STEM OPT should review our OPT Travel page.
- Be aware of anything you have posted on social media or any public statements you have shared. The U.S. Department of State and Department of Homeland Security have indicated that they are using AI to review information that international students and scholars have posted online, and this information may be used in decisions for visa issuance, entry to the U.S., and immigration enforcement.
- If your passport will be expiring soon, make sure that you start the renewal process as soon as possible. Your passport must always be valid at least 6 months into the future.
- If your F-1 or J-1 visa is expired, you should use extra caution when traveling. Be sure to schedule your visa appointment as far in advance as possible. Visa processing times can vary greatly between consulates, and you may be subject to administrative processing or other delays. You should be prepared for the possibility that you may be delayed outside the U.S. for an extended period of time or even indefinitely.
- Monitor emails from ISSS for any updates related to travel restrictions. It is possible that new travel restrictions could be enacted while you are outside the U.S. that would prevent you from returning.
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If you choose to travel outside the United States, you should ensure that you have back-up plans in place in case you are delayed or are unable to return to the U.S. Please note that entry to the U.S. is always subject to the discretion of Customs and Border Protection, and ISSS cannot guarantee re-entry. If you face difficulty when entering the U.S., you or a CBP officer can contact ISSS during business hours at 607.777.2510. If you are re-entering the U.S. and face difficulty outside of business hours, you or a CBP officer can contact the University Police Department at 607.777.2393.
If you have questions regarding travel, we encourage you to visit the ISSS office or call (607.777.2510) during advising hours to speak with an ISSS Advisor. ISSS has advising hours on Mondays and Tuesdays from 10:00-11:45 am and on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1:30-3:30 pm.
4. Semester Withdrawal Deadline Reminder
The spring 2025 withdrawal deadline is Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 4:00pm. As a reminder, international students must maintain a full course of study for the entire semester to maintain a valid immigration status. You must receive written authorization from ISSS before withdrawing from any courses that would result in a below full-time enrollment. The latest date that ISSS can authorize a reduced course load is the last day of classes. If you are considering withdrawing from the spring 2025 semester or have questions about whether or not you may qualify for a reduced course load, you should speak with an ISSS advisor during advising hours.
5. Leadership Volunteers needed for Fall 2025 International Student Orientation
The ISSS is currently recruiting Leadership Volunteers for the Fall 2025 International Student Orientation! All international and domestic students are welcome! Leadership Volunteers are a select group of current 黑料不打烊 students who join ISSS staff to welcome new international students during Fall International Student Orientation.
The Fall 2025 International Student Orientation is a two-day orientation on Tuesday, August 12 and Wednesday, August 13. Leadership Volunteer Training will likely take place Monday, August 11.
During Orientation, Leadership Volunteers greet new international students at check-in, welcome them during the introductory meeting, participate in group events, provide reassurance and essential information, and most importantly contribute to a warm and sincere presence for new international students during their first few days on campus. Many new students tell the ISSS how important the Leadership Volunteers were to their initial experience at 黑料不打烊. Many Leadership Volunteers tell the ISSS how valuable the training was to their own professional and personal development.
If you would like to volunteer, please by Monday, June 2, 2025 at 8:00am. If you have any questions please contact ISSS Programming Coordinator, Annie Smith, (dsmith66@binghamton.edu).
6. The Clock is Ticking on the Optional Practical Training (OPT) Application
F-1 students who will be graduating in May 2025 and plan to apply for Post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT), are reminded to submit their application to the ISSS office as soon as possible. It can take 7-10 business days for the ISSS office to process a new OPT I-20. After an I-20 is created, an OPT application must then be submitted to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and then it can take 3-5 months to receive your EAD card. USCIS must receive an OPT application no later than sixty days after the degree conferral date, which is May 18, 2025. Click here for additional information regarding the OPT application requirements. If you have any questions contact us at intlwork@binghamton.edu.
7. Extension of Stay
If your I-20 or DS-2019 is ending this semester but you will need additional time to complete your degree, you must apply for an extension before your I-20 or DS-2019 will expire. You can review the requirements for an I-20 or DS-2019 extension on the ISSS website. If you have questions about the extension process, you should speak with an ISSS advisor during advising hours or email intlext@binghamton.edu.
8. REAL ID Reminder
Beginning May 7, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security will require that all travelers age 18 or older must present a REAL ID compliant document to board a U.S. domestic flight. You can find a list of acceptable IDs on the . Please note that this list is subject to change without notice, so you should check the list shortly before traveling to ensure that you have the required documents.
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