Documents Required  |  Pre-Arrival  |  Arrival

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

At the port of entry (POE) into the U.S., be prepared to present the following items to immigration officials:

Valid U.S. Visa
A visa allows you to come to the U.S. in the appropriate non-immigrant status. The visa is used only to enter the U.S. and is not to be confused with the amount of time you are allowed to remain in the United States. The visa does not have to remain valid throughout your stay. However, any time you leave the U.S., when you re-enter to resume your studies or engage in optional practical training, your visa MUST be valid at that time. Visas are issued ONLY at U.S. embassies and consulates, which are located outside the U.S. It is generally preferable to apply for a visa in your home country.

I-20 (for F-1 Students only)
An I-20 is the document which is issued to each student wishing to study in the U.S. on an F-1 visa The I-20 indicates the name of the school, major field, level of study, as well as your name, country of citizenship, date of birth, source(s) of funding. After your arrival on campus, you are required to provide a copy of your I-20, your passport pages, visa stamp, and your I-94 card. It is a good idea for you to keep a copy of these documents, should they ever get lost.

DS-2019 (for J-1 Exchange Visitors and Students only)
The DS-2019, the Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J- 1) status, is the basic document for obtaining an exchange visitor visa and J non-immigrant status, and for maintaining exchange visitor status.

Valid Passport
As a non-immigrant, you must maintain a valid passport while in the United States. Renewal should be requested from your consulate or embassy at least six (6) months prior to the expiration date in your passport. (Canadian citizens are not required to have a passport unless entering the U.S. from outside the Western Hemisphere.)

Financial Evidence
An evidence detailing the source and amount of your funding. Consular and immigration officers exercise considerable discretion in determining whether your financial support is sufficient to cover all academic and living expenses.

I-94 Card
It is the arrival/departure card completed on the plane before you arrived in the United States. The immigration inspector at the airport or border removes the bottom portion of the card and staples it into your passport. Individuals in F-1 or J-1 status normally have the notation “D/S” written on their I-94 card. If a specific date is written, on your I-94 card, rather than “D/S,” that means that your legal stay ends on that date. If this is the case, come to the International Center to speak with an advisor or counselor.