Due to the COVID-19 global health crisis, our physical office is closed. However, ISS advisors are working remotely to serve you. We are processing immigration document requests, responding to emails, and updating our website. We have moved from an in-person document pick-up to providing mailing services for original documents. We are with you virtually! Contact Us
ISS has compiled a list of resources to improve students’ academic, personal, and social experiences during this global health crisis.
Policy guidance for the Fall 2020 semester for F-1 & J-1 students is now available. Visit our Fall 2020 FAQ page to learn how current guidance impacts Fall classes and get other updates on COVID-19's impact at UB.
ISS will continue operating in a virtual environment during this national emergency. The physical office is closed. Click here to review how to contact ISS. ISS advisors are diligently responding to email inquiries sent to isss@buffalo.edu, but please allow 3-5 business days for a response.
International Student Services (ISS) is offering virtual advising via Zoom. 10-15 minute virtual advising appointments will be available between 9:00 - 11:30 AM and 1:30 – 4:00 PM Monday through Friday and will continue for the remainder of the summer semester.
To schedule an appointment, log in to the Student Success Portal, then click Student Support, and choose International Student Services.
Prior to making an appointment we encourage you to review our website. Answers to your questions may already be here!
If you are approved for OPT and graduated more than 1 year ago the online appointment system may not work for you. ISS is now offering virtual drop-in advising for students on OPT every Wednesday.
For more information please visit our OPT Virtual Advising page. Please note it will require UBIT login to access.
During this pandemic and national emergency, we will move from an in-person document pick-up to providing mailing services for original documents. When we are communicating to you about a document we will provide you with instructions to facilitate shipping.
At this time, we ask that you do not use the ISS address for mailing purposes.
Please complete all necessary steps to change your shipping address from 210 Talbert to a location where you can receive your own mail. For those of you with pending USCIS application, you can use the USCIS Online Change of Address form.
If you are changing your address because you are moving, you must also update your address in HUB (if you are a current student) or submit an Add or Update Contact Information e-form in myISSS (if you are on OPT).
ISS will continue to process all e-forms but processing times will be lengthened for high volume services:
• Curricular Practical Training Requests: 12-15 business days
• 12 month OPT recommendations: 12-15 business days
• STEM OPT recommendations: 12-15 business days
• Extension of Stay requests: 12-15 business days
• Travel signatures: 7-10 business days
Information about Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT) can be found on the ISS website. We ask that you first read our website about CPT and/or OPT first, then email ISS if you have specific questions or need clarification. ISS is working on other potential methods for providing information about these topics.
Looking for COVID-19 related information from Spring 2020? Check out our archive of questions that used to be on this page but may no longer be relevant to the current semester.
