Full guide
Process, exceptions, and official sources
Every step in order, with exceptions, special cases and official sources.
This information is for general orientation only and does not constitute legal, tax or medical advice. Always verify with the official sources cited.
Because bureaucracy in New York already matters before the flight
New York combines the most expensive rental market in the country (Manhattan often over $3,800/month for a studio apartment) with excellent public transportation. Outside of NYC, many SUNY campuses have more manageable costs.
Below you will find the federal rules (the same everywhere) and the New York only rules: driver’s license, state taxes, bank and university documents.
F-1 visa: step-by-step process (federal)
- Admission and I-20— University withSEVP certification; documented funds; signature on Form I-20.
- SEVIS I-901 fee— Payment onfmjfee.com; keep the receipt.
- DS-160— Question aboutCEAC; print confirmation with barcode.
- MRV fee and appointment— Interview at the US consulate/embassy in your country; indicative rate$185(check updated amount).
- Interview— Passport, I-20, economic proof, ties to the country of origin; answers consistent withnot immigration.
- Campus entrance and check-in— Within the I-20 deadlines; address report toDSO within a few days of changing residence.
After arrival in New York: local documents
New York DMV and driver’s license
In New York you must obtain a state license or ID throughNew York DMV within30 days from the residence (except for exemptions for students who do not drive - check on the site).REAL ID available; Enhanced ID for borders.
- Book an appointment onNew York DMV(online when possible).
- Bring: Passport, I-20, I-94, proof of address in New York, SSN or SSA denial letter.
- Pass theoretical/practical tests if required; pay state fee.
- Keep a temporary receipt until the card arrives.
SSN and ITIN
- Request SSN only if you have an authorized job offer (CPT/OPT) or letter from the DSO.
- For tax returns: State return required (in addition to federal).
Apostilles and documents from abroad
For birth certificates or diplomas used in New York, the appropriate office isNew York Department of State. Check if the university accepts notarized copies + certified translation instead of the full apostille.
Taxes and universities in New York
- Income declaration: State declaration required (in addition to federal). Links:Tax Foundation.
- In-state tuition fees (DACA/undocumented): eligible (Dream Act).
- Typical campuses: Columbia, NYU, CUNY, SUNY, Cornell (Ithaca).
First week: operational checklist
- Check in with DSO and sign updated I-20 if necessary.
- Open account (documents: passport, I-20, address); Common banks: Chase, Citibank, TD Bank.
- Book New York DMV if you plan to drive or need REAL ID for domestic travel.
- Activate campus health insurance (tight deadlines - see Health guide).
- Save digital copies of I-20, passport, visa, I-94, rental agreement.
Frequent mistakes of international students
- Working without authorization— Freelancing or remote work for foreign clients also violates F-1 status.
- Address not updated in SEVIS— May block travel or renewals.
- License expired or never applied for— In New York the deadline is 30 days: fines and problems with car insurance.
- Confusing federal and state taxes— State declaration required (in addition to federal).
J-1 Visa (Exchange): Quick Differences
- DS-2019 instead of I-20; program sponsor (university or institution).
- Work and tenure rules depend on the category J — Responsible Officer on campus.
- Specific insurance obligation J-1; do not cover with incomplete plan.
Travel and Sign I-20
- Sign DSO travel endorsement before leaving the USA during your studies.
- Grace period after end of program: do not work without new status.
- Intercollegiate transfer: new I-20, SEVIS transfer within USCIS windows.
New York: DMV, Dream Act and Enhanced ID
- NY Dream Act: Aid for non-status students at private SUNY/CUNY — separate from federal aid.
- Enhanced ID: Useful for land travel to Canada without a passport in some cases.
- DMV backlog: Book online; document wallet for proof of identity (6 ID points).
- NY Statement: Form IT-201 if a NY tax resident — be careful if you work in two states.
Frequently Asked Questions (New York Red Tape)
- Can I remain without a license? Yes if you don’t drive; for ID just DMV card without driving test in many states.
- Do you need SSN to open account? It depends on the bank - ask for a list of documents first.
- Change from F-1 to another status? Only with new petition/release — don’t improvise.
The data tables below the article summarize verified numbers for New York; for evolving amounts and deadlines, always use the official portals.
Sources
A NYC verifica se fee legale e chi paga — spesso tenant.
Quick reference
New York combina federal standard con NY Department of State, DMV e tax department (NY DTF). NYC aggiunge regole locali per lavoratori e affitti.
Universities and pathways
SUNY / CUNY
CUNY a NYC economico per residenti; SUNY spread nello stato. Community college poi transfer comune.
Private (Columbia, NYU, Cornell NYC)
Costi altissimi; housing campus o borse quasi obbligatorie.
Excelsior Scholarship
Tuition-free SUNY/CUNY per eleggibili residenti — internazionali esclusi.
International
CPT/OPT federal; campus internazional office molto trafficato — appuntamenti anticipati.
Documents and setup
SSN e DMV NY
Federal vs state
NYC vs resto stato
Affitto e lavoro: NYC Human Rights Law extra protections. Upstate: più simile Midwest.
State-specific data for New York: Bureaucracy and documents
Data verified: 2026-03
Federal rule, the same in every state: F-1/J-1 status, SEVIS, and CPT/OPT are administered by USCIS and the DSO
| REAL ID | REAL ID available; Enhanced ID for border |
|---|---|
| Driver licensing and ID agency | New York DMV — DMV/DPS |
| New-resident licence deadline | 30 days |
| State income-tax filing | State return required in addition to the federal return |
| Local ID for international students | State ID or driver licence recommended for banking and rentals; an F-1 visa does not replace local ID |
| Apostille and notarial office | New York Department of State |
| In-state tuition for undocumented students | eligible (Dream Act) |
Sources: New York DMV — official state agency · USCIS — Students and employment · USA.gov — State and local governments · U.S. Department of Education — College Scorecard
Official sources and verification
9 HTTPS sources are already linked where they are used in the guide.
Open additional sources and verification details
Official U.S. sources
Informational summary only—always read the latest official pages. Not legal, tax, or medical advice.
Student visa policy and SEVIS are federal programs (U.S. Department of State and SEVIS/ICE).
Rules for F/M/J students, CPT/OPT, and Form I-765 are published by USCIS. Confirm the current page before starting any work.
Electronic I-94 records are issued by CBP (Department of Homeland Security). Verify class and admit-until date after each entry.
REAL ID is a federal standard implemented by state motor-vehicle agencies. USA.gov links to state-level driver/ID services.
SSN assignment is handled by the Social Security Administration. Follow SSA’s official instructions for documents and appointments.