Immigration Documents

 

Passport

The passport is an identification document issued by an individual’s country of citizenship that certifies their legal identity and nationality.

  • At the time of entering the U.S., your passport should be valid six months beyond your intended period of stay in the U.S. ().
  • Your passport must always remain valid while in the U.S.
  • Your passport may be renewed at your country’s embassy/consulate in the U.S.

I-20: Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status

The Form I-20 is a legal document issued by a U.S. government-approved educational institution through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) database. It certifies that a student has been admitted into a full course of study at the institution and has demonstrated proof of sufficient funds to stay in the U.S. for the F-1 program.

  • The Form I-20 is used to apply for an F-1 student visa at a U.S. consulate/embassy abroad.
  • The Form I-20 must be presented at the U.S. port of entry every time one seeks to enter the U.S in F-1 status.
  • It is valid only for the period specified on the form and only for the academic program at the school indicated on the I-20.
    • Your program end date is based on completion timelines approved by the U.S. DHS. Your end date must be updated if you complete the program earlier or require a program extension.

I-20 Travel Signature

Page 2 of the I-20 contains a travel endorsement section. A valid travel signature from an ISSS advisor, who is a Designated School Official (DSO), is required for reentry into the U.S. A travel signature is valid for 12 months when you are a student; it is valid for 6-months when you are on Optional Practical Training, post-graduation.

Re-issuance

New I-20s are issued to continuing students whenever there is a significant update to a student's record. This includes changes in biographical data, program dates, change of major, the addition of a work authorization, etc. All changes in information on the I-20 must be reported to ISSS within 10 days of the change. ISSS will issue a new I-20 if necessary.

  • Important: Keep copies of all I-20s that are issued to you as they are required to document maintenance of status and may be requested for future benefit applications (e.g., H-1B)

DS-2019: Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status

The form DS-2019 is a legal document issued by a U.S. government-approved educational institution through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) database. It certifies that a student has been admitted into a full course of study at the institution and has demonstrated proof of sufficient funds to stay in the U.S. for the length of the J-1 program.

  • A DS-2019 is used to apply for a J-1 student visa at a U.S. consulate/embassy abroad.
  • The DS-2019 must be presented at the U.S. port of entry every time one seeks to enter the U.S. in J-1 status.
  • It is valid only for the period specified on the form and only for the academic program at the school indicated on the DS-2019.
    • Your program end date is based on program completion timelines that have been approved by the U.S. DHS. Your end date must be updated if you complete the program earlier or require an extension.
    • J-1 students are not eligible for changes ofcategory or a downward change of level.
  • Page 1 of the DS-2019 contains a travel endorsement section. A valid travel signature from an ISSS advisor, who is an Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO), is required for reentry into the U.S. A travel signature is valid for 12 months when you are a student.
  • New DS-2019s are issued to continuing students whenever there is a significant update to a student's record. This includes changes in biographical data, program dates, change of major, the addition of a work authorization, etc. All changes in information on the DS-2019 must be reported to ISSS within 10 days of the change. ISSS will issue a new DS-2019 if necessary.
  • Keep copies of all DS-2019s that are issued to you as they are required to document maintenance of status and may be requested for future benefit applications (e.g., H-1B).

I-901 SEVIS Fee Receipt

You must print the proof of payment receipt at the time of payment and bring it with you to your visa appointment and when you seek to enter the U.S.

  • Proof Payment of the  can be printed anytime at .

F-1 or J-1 Visa

The F-1 or J-1 visa is a sticker with your photo and biographical information placed in your passport by a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. It permits the individual to request permission to enter the U.S. in a particular immigration status for a specific purpose (e.g., to pursue study) at a .

  • Note: The visa may expire in the U.S. if all other immigration documents are valid and up to date.
  • An F-1 or J-1 visa can only be renewed at a U.S. embassy/consulate outside the U.S.
  • You must have a valid visa to enter the U.S. (exception: ).
  • Visa validity does not necessarily match the F-1 or J-1 program dates.
  • Please note there are some exceptions to the F-1 or J-1 visa requirement. For example, citizens of Canada are exempt from the F-1 or J-1 visa requirement.

Visas for SEVIS Transfer Students

You can travel with a valid, unexpired F-1 visa and a “transfer pending” CU «Ƶ I-20. Your visa remains valid even if it lists your previous school’s name, as long as you have not been outside of the U.S. more than five months between the end of your previous program and your return to the U.S.

I-94 Arrival/Departure Record

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers create an I-94 Arrival/Departure Record to document the admission of international visitors at the , or in some instances a . Please use  to access your most recent I-94.

  • Review your I-94 arrival record every time you re-enter the U.S. to confirm that your entry was recorded properly.
    • Pay special attention to your Class of Admission (e.g., F1, J1) and Admit Until Date (D/S: Duration of Status for F/J programs).
  • CBP sometimes makes mistakes that require correction. See Printing a Copy of Your I-94 & Obtaining an I-94 Correction.