Welcome to the University of Bridgeport, International Student
Services Office (ISSO) website.
The International Student Services Office assists international
students, scholars and their dependents in immigration matters and
adjusting to life in the United States.
All new
international students and scholars are required to report to this
office for passport check-in upon arrival on campus. A mandatory
immigration and personal safety information session is also required
for all international students prior to initial registration. These
meetings are offered at the start of the Spring and Fall semesters, and
at the start of each English Language Institute session.
Information
is provided on a wide range of topics including visas (maintaining
status, travel and employment eligibility), financial questions, social
and cultural differences, and personal concerns. To minimize the
difficulties our international students and exchange visitors may
experience upon arrival, we offer a cultural adjustment workshop during
Orientation, monthly International Coffee Hour, bimonthly newsletter
Diversity Crossroads, and information is available at the office
throughout the semester. Each semester free seminars are held to
provide professional advice by immigration attorneys. Prior to the tax
return deadline, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) is made available by ISSO staff and business students trained
and certified by the Internal Revenue Service.
We look forward to serving you.
For More Help
General
questions can be answered through email or phone. For more assistance,
please make an appointment to speak with an advisor at the
International Student Services Office by calling (203)
576-4395.
If you have an emergency situation
after business hours (such as being detained at an airport) and need
immediate help, please call the Campus Security Office at (203)
576-4911 and request that the Director of International Student
Services be called at home. This is only for emergency circumstances.
If help can wait until the next business day (such as a visa refusal),
please call the International Student Services Office between the hours
of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, Monday – Friday.