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Current International Students

Here’s all the info you need as a current ESF student. 

Emergency Contacts

OIE serves as the emergency point of contact for all ESF international students, students conducting research abroad and participating in international programs, and for ESF faculty taking students abroad.

For any questions, please reach out to us at oie@esf.edu.

If this is an emergency, please contact  (315) 470-6666 (University Police).

 

International Student Forms

We’ve compiled all the forms you’ll need as an international student in one easy-to-find place.

Access Forms

 

 

Immigration Status

The Office of International Education (OIE) is the primary on-campus immigration resource available to the ESF international student community. We assist with maintaining immigration status and adhering to U.S. immigration laws by providing advice related to immigration regulations and topics such as employment and travel.

 

F-1 Visa Holders J-1 Visa Holders

 

 

 

Getting a Driver's License

For international students, scholars, and employees, your eligibility to apply for a New York State license is tied to your program dates.  Your authorized status in the U.S. must have a total duration of at least one year, AND you must have at least 6 months remaining before the current expiration date.

  1. Go to the Social Security Office with your passport, I-94, and current 1-20.
  2. Inform the Social Security Office that you are not eligible for a Social Security Number because you are not working.
  3. Ask the Social Security Office to issue you a letter indicating that you are not eligible for a Social Security Number.
  4. Present the letter from the Social Security Office to the Department of Motor Vehicles
  5. The Department of Motor Vehicles should issue you a number that should allow you to follow the process to apply for a Driver’s License.

For the latest information about obtaining a New York State Driver’s License, Learners Permit, International Drivers Permit or Non-Drivers Photo ID as an International Student, please visit New York State Department of Motor Vehicles for more information.

Local New York State DMV Offices (Onondaga County)

Syracuse
Syracuse Office—NYSDMV
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday; 8:30am-4:00pm
Phone: 1-800-CALL-DMV
Address: Western Lights Plaza, 4671 Onondaga Blvd., Syracuse, NY 13219

Taft Road
N. Syracuse Office—NYSDMV
Hours of Operation: Monday-Thursday; 8:30am-6:00pm
Phone: 1-800-CALL-DMV
Address: 5801 E. Taft Rd., N. Syracuse, NY 13212

Open roadway with ESF vehicle heading away from camera.

 

Getting Mail at ESF

SUNY ESF’s Office of International Education provides an express mailing service called eShipGlobal that allows you to receive your documents from the Office of International Education via FedEx, UPS or DHL. To submit a request to have your document mailed to you, please follow the instructions provided below.

Register for an eShipGlobal (“UEMS”) account online here >

  • Click the document icon (or “SEND/RECEIVE DOCUMENTS FROM UNIVERSITY”).
  • Enter “SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry” in the university search box.
  • Select “Office of International Education” from the list of departments provided.
  • Select your preferred carrier/shipping service (FedEx, UPS or DHL).
  • Select method of payment (Credit/Debit Card, Wire Transfer or PayPal) & enter payment information.

Once your payment has been processed, you will automatically receive a confirmation email, & your shipping label and information will be sent to the Office of International Education. Once the Office of International Education has processed and shipped your document, you will automatically receive an email notification confirming that your package is in transit & your tracking information.

You may also check the status of your shipment at any time, 24/7, by logging into your eShipGlobal account, downloading the “UEMS” mobile app, or by contacting eShipGlobal Customer Service.

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Employment Resources

A Social Security Number (SSN) is required by U.S. federal law for all individuals employed in the U.S. It is used to identify employees and tax salaries, and it is issued only for employment purposes.

Why Do I Need an SSN?
For tax purposes, anyone receiving income in the U.S. must provide their employer with an SSN. It is not required to begin employment but must be obtained immediately after being hired.

How to Apply for an SSN
To apply for an SSN, you must apply in person at the local Social Security Administration office. You can apply if:

  • You have been authorized to work either on or off campus
  • You meet Social Security’s eligibility requirements
  • Complete the Social Security Memo Form
  • Take your completed application and original documents (Passport, I-20, I-94, Social Security Memo Form) to the Social Security Office

Eligibility Requirements

  • Your initial entry to the U.S. must have been more than 10 days before applying.
  • For non-EAD-based F-1 student employment (CPT and on-campus), SSA will not process the application more than 30 days before the employment start date.
  • For EAD-based F-1 employment (OPT), the employment start date on the EAD must have already been reached.

 

ESF Campus

  1. The on-campus employer types the employment details into Section A of the Social Security Memo, prints it on department letterhead, and signs it.
  2. Select the correct memo for F-1 or J-1 students with State and Research Foundation funding.
  3. The student takes the completed Section A to the OIE to complete Section B.

SU Campus

  1. The SU hiring department types the employment details into Section A of the Social Security Memo, prints it on department letterhead, and signs it.
  2. The student takes the completed Section A, along with their I-20/DS-2019, passport, visa, and I-94 card, to Syracuse University’s Human Resources Office to complete the I-9 Employment Eligibility Process.
  3. After Section B is endorsed, the student brings the form to the OIE to obtain the final endorsement in Section C.

  1. The student must have work authorization (e.g., CPT/OPT authorization, EAD) and a job offer.
  2. The off-campus employer completes Section A of the Social Security Memo, prints it on company letterhead, and signs it.
  3. The student brings the completed Section A to the OIE to complete Section B.

  • J-1 students need an employment offer and authorization from their sponsoring agency to apply for an SSN.
  • They must show a letter of authorization or an authorization comment on their DS-2019 when requesting the Employment Memo for the SSN application.

  • J-1 students not seeking employment or payment for services in the U.S. can apply for an ITIN for tax purposes.
  • They need a support letter from their sponsor and the OIE.
  • When requesting the letter, specify the exception you are filing under (e.g., 2(b) or 2(c) Scholarships, Fellowships, and Grants) and whether you will claim a tax treaty benefit.