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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Reminder of ISSS Availability
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New International Student Orientation Information
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Full Time Course Enrollment for Spring 2026 Semester
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Save the Dates: Spring 2026 International Coffee Hours!
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Save the Dates: Spring 2026 Global Networking Group (GNG) Events!
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International Health Insurance Team is Now Accepting Insurance Fee Waiver Requests
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Important Travel Information
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2025 Income Tax Information
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鈥淟et鈥檚 Talk鈥 Program at ISSS
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1. 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 1:30pm to 3:30pm. Please visit the ISSS website for updates.
Special Notices:
On Monday, January 19 the ISSS office will be unavailable for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday. Please visit the ISSS website for additional updates regarding availability.
2. New International Student Orientation Information
New students are starting to arrive to begin their studies for the Spring 2026 semester!
International Student Orientation activities will take place on Thursday, January 15. The first event will start at 8:30am in the ISSS Office (Old Champlain Hall, Floor 1R). Additional information on the International Student Orientation schedule is available here.
3. Full Time Course Enrollment for Spring 2026 Semester
The add/drop deadline for the Spring 2026 semester is Monday, February 2, 2026 You must be enrolled in a full-time course load by the end of the add/drop deadline in order to maintain a valid immigration status. If you will not be enrolled full-time, you will need to submit a Request for Reduced Course Load form to the ISSS Office.
4. Save the Dates: Spring 2026 International Coffee Hours!
Save the date for the four Spring 2026 International Coffee Hour events! ISSS will be hosting these events with other campus offices that support our international community. Be sure to join us for an informal social program! All are welcome!
| Spring 2026 International Coffee Hours | |||
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Wednesday, February 4 3:00-4:30pm Old Champlain Atrium |
Wednesday, March 4 3:00-4:30pm Old Champlain Atrium |
Wednesday, April 8 3:00-4:30pm Old Champlain Atrium |
Wednesday, May 6 3:00-4:30pm Old Champlain Atrium |
If you have any questions about International Coffee Hour, contact Annie Smith (dsmith66@binghamton.edu), ISSS Programming Coordinator.
5. Save the Dates: Spring 2026 Global Networking Group (GNG) Events!
The 91社区 GNG aims to promote meaningful interactions between current students, develop intercultural communication skills, and strengthen community among students. The program also strives to be as inclusive as possible - all members of the 91社区 community are welcome to come to GNG events and there is no strict commitment. GNG is simply a series of casual, fun social events for globally minded Bearcats. To get further updates on the events themselves, please complete our mailing list sign-up . All are welcome!
| Spring 2026 GNG Events | |||
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Vision Board Making Thursday, January 22 1:00-3:00pm UU 111 |
Craft-ernoon Thursday, February 26 2:00-4:00pm Old Champlain Atrium |
Board Game Afternoon Monday, March 23 1:00-3:00pm Old Champlain Atrium |
Flower Pot Painting Monday, April 27 1:30-3:30pm Old Champlain Atrium |
6. International Health Insurance Team is Now Accepting Insurance Fee Waiver Requests
The International Health Insurance Team is now accepting requests from those who believe they meet the requirements for an international health insurance fee waiver for the Spring 2026 semester. In order to qualify for a waiver of the fee you must:
RAs/TAs/GAs with health insurance (NYSHIP or Empire Blue) will no longer be automatically waived from the standard SUNY International student insurance policy, as was the case in previous semesters. Any student who wishes to file an application for a spring 2026 semester waiver from the standard international student health insurance plan will need to complete an international health insurance waiver e-form. You will be notified if your waiver is approved and your charges will be adjusted accordingly.
Please note that a submission does not guarantee approval. A full review of your policy must be conducted to ensure compliance. Approved waivers are valid for one semester only. Students must submit a health insurance waiver request every semester. The deadline for submission of a waiver request for the spring 2026 semester is February 15, 2026. No exceptions are granted.
7. Important Travel Information
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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- Review the ISSS Government Actions page for any recent government updates impacting travel. If your country of citizenship is included on either of the presidential proclamation lists, you should consult with an ISSS advisor before planning any travel.
- 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 has expired, you should use extra caution when traveling. Be sure to schedule your visa appointment and 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. Individuals who are applying for visas will likely be instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to 鈥減ublic.鈥 The Department of State has indicated that they will be conducting a comprehensive and thorough vetting of each applicant鈥檚 online presence, which could include additional online information beyond social media accounts.
- If you have experienced any interaction with law enforcement, you should consult with an ISSS advisor about the potential risks of travel.
- Plan to return to 91社区 before the start of the spring semester on January 20, 2026.
- 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.
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.
8. 2025 Income Tax Information
If you were in the U.S. in F or J status between January 1, 2025 鈥 December 31, 2025 you are required to file taxes, even if you earned no income in the United States. Information and instructions on how to file taxes will be available by mid-February on the ISSS website. A special edition newsletter focused on Taxes will also be circulated mid-February to provide additional detailed guidance.
9. 鈥淟et鈥檚 Talk鈥 Program at ISSS
Free drop-in counseling with the University Counseling Center (UCC) at ISSS!
Let鈥檚 Talk offers confidential, free, quick access drop-in consultations where students can talk out an issue, get feedback, and/or see what it鈥檚 like to talk to a counselor. No appointment or paperwork needed! Just drop by ISSS on Thursdays 2:00-3:00pm starting on January 22.
Let鈥檚 Talk is perfect for students who:
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- Are not sure about counseling and wonder what it鈥檚 like to talk with a counselor
- May not want ongoing counseling but would like the perspective of a skilled helper
- Have a specific problem and would like someone to talk it through with
- Have a concern about a friend and want some thoughts about how to help
Let鈥檚 Talk meetings are not intended to be crisis counseling sessions, or to substitute for a regular meeting with a professional counselor. For crisis counseling or ongoing counseling, contact the UCC at 607-777-2772.
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