Entering the U.S.

PLAN YOUR ARRIVAL
You may be refused entry into the United States if you attempt to arrive more than 30 days before the program start date listed on your SEVIS I-20 form.

ALWAYS HAND-CARRY YOUR DOCUMENTS
Do not check the following documents in your baggage. If your baggage is lost or delayed, you will be unable to present the documents at your port of entry. As a result, you may not be able to enter the United States.

• Your passport, valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected stay
  
• SEVIS Form I-20
  

In addition, it is strongly recommended that you also hand carry the following documentation:

• Evidence of financial resources;
  
• Evidence of student status, such as recent tuition receipts and transcripts;
  
• Paper receipt for the SEVIS fee,
  
• Name and contact information for your “Designated School Official”, including a 24-hour emergency contact number at the school.
  

For comprehensive information on procedures for traveling and arriving in the United States, visit http://educationusa.state.gov/predeparture/travel/customs.htm

COMPLETE YOUR ENTRY PAPERWORK
If Arriving By Air: Flight attendants will distribute Customs Declaration Forms (CF-6059) and Arrival Departure Record Forms (I-94). These must be completed prior to landing.

AS YOU ARRIVE AT THE PORT OF ENTRY
All visitors entering the United States must state their reason for wishing to enter the country. You will also be asked to provide information about your final destination. It is important that you tell the CBP Officer that you will be a student. Be prepared to include the name and address of the school program where you will enroll/participate.

Once your inspection is successfully completed, the inspecting officer will:

• Stamp your SEVIS Form for duration of status (“D/S”) for F visa holders
  
• Stamp your SEVIS Form for 30 days beyond program end date for M visa holders
  
• Stamp the Arrival-Departure Record Form (I-94) and staple it in the passport
  

FOLLOWING ADMISSION INTO THE UNITED STATES
Students should report to their school within 30 days before the date that appears on the SEVIS I-20 form to register for courses or to validate their intended participation. Failure to do so may result in serious consequences including student visa cancellation.

Officials of the U.S. Government inspect all persons arriving at a port-of-entry to the United States. There are four separate inspections: Public Health, Immigration, Customs and Agriculture. When arriving at an airport, the airline will give all non-United States citizens a form to complete while still en route to the United States, either form I-94 (white), or form I-94W (green), Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver Arrival/Departure form. The forms ask for basic identification information and the address where you will stay in the United States.

Upon arrival, the airline personnel will show you to the inspection area. If you are not U.S. resident, the Immigration Inspector must determine why you are coming to the United States, what documents you may require, if you have those documents, and how long you should be allowed to initially stay in the United States. These determinations usually take less than one minute to make. You must present a passport and a valid visa issued by U.S. Consular Official. If you are allowed to proceed, the Inspector will stamp your passport and issue a completed form I-94 to you. A completed form will show what immigration classification you were given and how long you are allowed to stay. You will then be permitted to proceed to Customs.

In certain instances, the inspector may not be able to decide if you should be allowed into the United States. In this case, your inspection may be deferred (postponed), and you will be instructed to go to another USCIS office located near your intended destination in the United States for further processing. In this case make sure to call to your school official to inform them about your situation.