Travel Exemptions & Restrictions

Click the link below for the most up-to-date information on travel requirements and restrictions:

travel.state.gov/visa-news usnews.com/european-students-exempt

What do I need to enter the US on an F-1 Visa?

• Your Valid I-20 Form
  • You must present a hardcopy to border control when you arrive in the US! Digital versions on your phone or tablet are NOT accepted.
  • New students – make sure to sign and date your initial attendance I-20 on page one. You do not need to have a travel signature on page two.
  • Returning students – bring your most recent continued attendance I-20 with travel signature on page two! We recommend that the date signed is within one-month of your return flight. Email Sarah Sager ssager@nyaa.edu to obtain an updated signature.
• Passport
  • Make sure there is at least 6 months remining before the expiration date.
• F-1 Visa
  • Make sure it has not yet expired.
• Enrollment Verification Letter
  • We recommend you also have this as a precaution.
  • Please email Sarah Sager ssager@nyaa.edu to request a letter.

Click the link below to download the guide:

International Students: Maintaining Your F-1 Status

Step 1: Obtain your Documents

Order a copy of your diploma and/or transcript using the forms below.

• Diploma Request Form
• Transcript Request Form

Step 2: Have your Documents Notarized

Take your documents to a notary to have them stamped and signed. Please click here for guidance on locating a notary near you.

Step 3: Certify with the County Clerk

When you have your notarized document, take it to the County Clerk’s office to have the signature of the notary public certified. Learn more about the County Clerk’s office before your visit.

The County Clerk’s office is located at:

New York County Clerk
Notary Section
60 Centre Street
Room 141B Basement
New York, NY

You can also mail your notarized document to the Albany office (same day service not available at this location):

New York Department of State
Division of Licensing Services
Apostille and Authentication Unit
PO Box 22001
Albany, NY 12201-2001

You will be charged a per document fee by the County Clerk’s office.

Step 4: Obtain an Apostille/Certificate of Authentication

After your document has been certified by the County Clerk’s office, you must take or mail your documents to the New York Department of State. This office will affix the Apostille to your documents. Click the link below to learn more.

Apostille or Certificate of Authentication

When a document is to be used in another country, it may be necessary to have the document authenticated.

About IDNYC

New York City residents are now able to sign up for IDNYC – a government-issued identification card that is available to all City residents age 10 and older. Immigration status does not matter. Mayor Bill de Blasio announced this initiative in his State of the City address in January 2014 and less than one year later proudly launched the largest municipal identification card program in the nation. Click here for more information and how to apply.

Getting Your IDNYC Card

All New York City residents age 10 and older can get an IDNYC card. Applicants must complete an application and submit it at an IDNYC Enrollment Center. Applicants are also required to present proof of identity and residency in New York City. Many types of documents are accepted, all of which are listed on the documentation page. You must submit your application and proof of identity and residency in person at an IDNYC Enrollment Center or an IDNYC Pop-Up Enrollment Center, which travels to neighborhoods across the City. After you apply for the card, it will be sent to you in the mail.

The IDNYC card is free for all New Yorkers who apply. For cardholders 16 and older, cards are valid for five years from the date the application is approved. The application process is accessible to people with limited English proficiency and people with disabilities.

International Student Identity Card

The International Student Identity Card (ISIC), is the ultimate student lifestyle card and the only internationally accepted proof of bona fide student status on the planet.

With an ISIC card in your pocket, or a virtual ID on your mobile (say hello to a greener, digital future), you’ll be spoiled with an avalanche of student discounts (over 150,000 to be exact) in 130+ countries!

Unlock access to the best student deals around. Get Your Card Now!

More info.

To report your visa lost or stolen, email the Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate outside the United States which issued your visa. Go to https://www.usembassy.gov/  to locate the email address and contact information. Be sure to include your full name, date of birth, place of birth, address in the United States, and an e-mail address. Specifically state whether the visa was lost or stolen. If you have a copy of the passport or visa, scan and email this to the U.S. embassy or consulate. Otherwise, if known, report the category of visa, and the passport number from the lost/stolen visa.

If you have already reported your visa lost/stolen to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, and then you later find your misplaced visa, then your visa will be invalid for future travel to the United States.  Therefore, in that situation you must apply for a new visa at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Lost or stolen U.S. visas cannot be replaced in the United States. For replacement of a visa, you must apply in person at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad. When applying for the replacement of a visa, you will need to provide a written account documenting the loss of your passport and visa. Include a copy of the police report.

The Academy is not able to assist students with IRS tax form preparation or answer tax related questions.  The following information is provided as a courtesy and resources to help you better understand your tax obligation. Tax laws are subject to change.  Therefore, you should check each year to know the current legal requirements.

Tax Reporting Requirements

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is the U.S. government agency that collects taxes. As a nonresident F-1 student, you may need to file paperwork with the Internal Revenue Services (IRS) annually, even if there is no U.S. source of income. It is your individual responsibility to understand and meet your tax obligations. Generally, tax returns are due every April 15th based on earnings from the previous year, though there are exceptions to this deadline.This year, due to the COVID-19 crisis, the deadline is July 15, 2020.

Records should be kept for five years. International students (with exception of permanent residents, resident aliens for tax purposes, or those married to U.S. citizens) must file a 1040-NR Form for nonresidents.  F-1 non-immigrant visa holders should not file forms 1040, 1040-A, or 1040-EZ.

All non-immigrants F-1 or F-2 status will need to file a Form 8843 with the IRS.  If the international student or scholars have no income this is still required and must be filed annually by June 15.

Be Careful of Tax SCAMS

International students can be vulnerable targets for criminals impersonating government officials online, via email or by telephone.  An email sender or caller will claim that they are contacting you from U.S. government agency (IRS, DHS/USCIS/ICE, FBI, police, etc.) regarding important, time sensitive matter that requires your immediate attention.  These people may try to obtain your personal information and/or coerce you in paying them money.  Protect yourself from scammers!

If you suspect that you have been contacted by an immigration scam, or if you have been a victim of a scam, you should report it immediately to an Academy DSO.

IRS tax Scam tips video & IRS tax tip sheet

Tax Resources

• Internal Revenue Services (IRS)
• International Taxpayers Information
• Foreign Students and Scholars Information
• Tax Treaties
• Hannah Cole, Sunlight Tax, hannah@sunlighttax.com
• Eric Schuab, Immigration Attorney, eshaub@artistvisa.com

Students who wish to transfer their I-20 from the Academy to another institution should gather the necessary information to complete the SEVIS I-20 Transfer-Out Request Form:

1. 1. Offer of admission (scan or photo of admission letter or email with offer of admission)
   2. Scan or photo of Transfer-In or Transfer Eligibility or similar-named form (only if required by the new school)
   3. New school’s SEVIS code (contact your new school if you do not know what this is)
   4. Decide your requested SEVIS transfer/release date (see list below)
   5. Complete the Academy’s SEVIS I-20 Transfer-Out Request Form
   6. Email completed form to ssager@nyaa.edu for processing

Allow up to 5 business days for processing. Please note that after the transfer out date the Academy will no longer have access to your SEVIS record, so request a transfer only after your plans are certain. You will receive an email confirmation when your SEVIS transfer/release is complete. You will then need to contact the new school’s international admissions or student office to arrange when and how to receive your new I-20.

How to determine your SEVIS I-20 Transfer Date

The list below provides guidance for choosing your SEVIS I-20 transfer date. Please note that the Academy cannot set a past date as the SEVIS I-20 transfer date. If the Academy receives your transfer request after your selected transfer date, your SEVIS record will be transferred on the day of processing. You cannot cancel a SEVIS I-20 transfer on or after the transfer date. You can only request to cancel the SEVIS transfer prior to the transfer date. If you:

• Are withdrawing from the Academy without completing a degree or certificate
  • • One day after the last day of classes in your last semester/term
    • The Academy cannot transfer your SEVIS record before the end of the semester
• Are temporarily leaving the Academy to study full-time at another school and plan to return to the Academy in the future
  • • One day after the last day of classes in your last semester/term
    • The Academy cannot transfer your SEVIS record before the end of the semester
• Are graduating and will not apply for or use OPT
  • • One day after your final Thesis or Independent Project critique in your last semester/term
    • The Academy cannot transfer your SEVIS record before the end of the semester
    • The Academy cannot transfer your SEVIS record until all of your graduation requirements are complete
• Are recently graduated and are in your 60-day grace period (did not apply for OPT)
  • • As soon as possible
    • At least 10 business day before the end of your 60-day grace period
• Are recently graduated and completed all graduation requirements and have pending OPT application, but you DO NOT plan to use any OPT
  • • As soon as possible
• Have OPT approval but you DO NOT plan to start a job/practical training position
  • • As soon as possible
    • Request the transfer at least 10 business days before your 90-day-limit of unemployment ends
    • If you exceed 90 days of unemployment, your F-1 status is considered invalid
• Have a pending or approved OPT application and plan to do some OPT before starting your new degree program
  • • One day after your last date of employment
    • Discuss your final employment date with your supervisor
    • Remember that OPT authorization is cancelled on the transfer date irrespective of end date printed on EAD card
• Have approved OPT authorization but you do not plan to start a job/practical training position
  • • As soon as possible
    • Request the transfer at least 10 business days before your 90-day-limit of unemployment ends
    • If you exceed 90 days of unemployment, your F-1 status is considered invalid

Information About Travel

If you are a current F-1 student, please stop by the Admissions office prior to traveling outside of the United States. You must have a valid signature on the third page of your I-20.

International students attending the Academy on an F-1 student visa who work on campus need to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN). You may do so at the Social Security Office at 123 Williams Street, NYC. Visit studyinthestates.dhs.gov for more details on Social Security Numbers and applying as an F-1 student.

To contact the Williams Street office to try to make an appointment, please call 1-866-657-3406 Monday – Friday from 7AM – 4PM.

Social Security Number Application Guide

You must complete application form IN BLUE INK and bring the original documents listed below to the SSA office. Please note that you are responsible for filing your income tax return on any earnings. Please see the International Students page for resources on taxes.

1. Download and complete the application form IN BLUE INK: https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf (Mail the original document with your signature to the SSA Office. Keep a copy of the completed form for your records.)
2. Email ssager@nyaa.edu to get an enrollment verification letter from the Academy, as well as a form explaining your eligibility for the Social Security number. This form will need to be filled out by the student in IN BLUE INK.
3. Gather the following to bring with you to the office:

• • ID page on your Passport with F-1 visa
  • Most recent signed I-20 form

Once complete, bring everything to the Social Security Administration Office (SSA) Office at this address:

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
3RD FLOOR
123 WILLIAM STREET
NEW YORK, NY 10038
1-866-657-3406