Once you have accepted our offer of admission, all visa related questions should be directed to Sal Longarino, Director of the Office for International Services.  Mr. Longarino divides his time between Fordham's Lincoln Center and Rose Hill Campuses.  He is generally at the Lincoln Center campus on Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 33 West 60th Street, Room 305. The Office for International Services can be reached at ois@fordham.edu or 212.636.6270.  Note that you may make appointments with Office of International Services staff online by clicking here and following the prompts. 

Securing a Visa

Prior to beginning their studies, students who are not U.S. citizens or green card holders must secure a visa.  Most such students will need an F-1 or J-1 visa.  The Office for International Services can help students determine which visa is appropriate for their situation.  The process for securing a visa should be completed as early as possible after a student accepts the offer of admission to Fordham University, as students frequently encounter delays.  The first step to securing an F-1 or J-1 student visa is to complete the Application for Certificate of Eligibility (AFCOE), and return it to:

Mr. Sal Longarino
Director, Office for International Services
33 West 60th Street, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10023
U.S.A

Alternatively, students may fax the AFCOE to the Office for International Services at 212.636.7368.  Once the AFCOE has been processed successfully, the Office for International Services will provide the student with either an I-20 (for an F-1 visa) or DS-2019 (for a J-1 visa).  Upon receipt of the 1-20 or DS-2019, students should proceed to their local U.S. consulate or embassy in order to obtain the visa. 

All students should carefully review the information here prior to visiting their U.S. consulate or embassy.  For information on visa interview wait times, please visit the following website, managed by the U.S. Department of State: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/wait/wait_4638.html.

PLEASE NOTE: Students who have previously deferred their admission must obtain a new Form I-20 or DS-2019 from the Office for International Services. 

Part-time students are not eligible for an F-1 or J-1 visa. 

The Office of International and Non-J.D. Programs hosts a meeting with Mr. Longarino during orientation for LL.M. and exchange students in order to acquaint students with the services offered by the Office for International Services.  All LL.M. and exchange students who require F-1 or J-1 visas must be present at this session.  S.J.D. students must arrange separate meetings with Mr. Longarino to ensure that they are in compliance with visa requirements. 

Upon arrival in the U.S., students are required to meet with Sal Longarino regarding their visas.  Students must bring to the meeting a copy of their visa, the picture page of their passports, their I-20 or DS-2019 Form (as applicable), and their I-94 Form (issued at Immigration upon entering the U.S.).  Failure to submit these documents to Mr. Longarino may result in the student being reported to the U.S. government for having violated legal requirements.  Students may make appointments with Mr. Longarino by clicking here or by sending an email to ois@fordham.edu.