What to Expect on Arriving in the US
Once you have acquired your F-1, J-1, or M-1 visa, you may finalize your plans for arriving in the US. Keep in mind that your first entry to the US with the visa corresponding to the I-20 or DS-2019 issued by the institution you'll be attending can be no more than 30 days before the program start date listed on that document. Also keep in mind that a visa only allows you to request permission to enter the US; it is the receiving US Customs & Border Protection (CBP) officer who determines your admissibility. As in your consular interview, you want to make it as easy as possible for the officer to help you reach your final destination.
To help facilitate your initial entry, make sure the following items are on your person or in your carry-on:
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A passport valid for at least six months beyond your expected stay in the US;
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Unless a citizen of Canada, the valid visa corresponding to your I-20 or DS-2019;
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The I-20 or DS-2019 corresponding to your visa and signed by you;
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The I-797 receipt for payment of the I-901 SEVIS fee;
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Letter of admission from the US institution or sponsor that issued your I-20 or DS-2019;
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Evidence that you or your sponsor(s) have funding adequate to cover the tuition and living expenses associated with your study.
It is crucial that you keep these documents with you, for if traveling by air you will go through immigration before being able to collect your luggage.
If arriving by air, flight attendants will distribute the Customs Declaration Form CF-6059 and the white Arrival/Departure Record Form I-94 (do not use the green I-94W); both of these must be completed prior to landing. If you arrive by land or sea, the CBP officer at the port of entry will provide these forms for you to complete. When filling out the CF-6059, make sure you declare all items of significant value you are bringing with you. Prior to packing it's a good idea to review what food and other goods you may bring into the US; this information is available on the CBP website. When filling out the I-94, make sure you complete both the upper (Arrival) and lower (Departure) portions of the form. Be sure to write your family (last) and given (first) names exactly as they appear on the biographical page of your passport; the US address you enter on this form should reflect where you will reside, not the address of your school or program.
When you approach the Passport Control booth, the officer will ask to see your passport, visa, I-20 or DS-2019, I-797 SEVIS fee receipt, I-94, and CF-6059. At that time your digital photograph and 10-digit fingerprint scan will be taken. Similar to the consular interview, the CBP officer will ask you why you wish to enter the US and what your final destination is. Be sure to tell the officer that you plan to study at the name and location of the institution or program you'll be attending. Even though the officer will be in uniform, there is no reason to be nervous. The average inspection takes less than 5 minutes, and you should just be yourself and truthfully answer any questions asked. Failure to provide honest answers could jeopardize your current studies as well as your future ability to visit the US.
Once the inspection is complete, the officer will:
- Stamp your I-20 or DS-2019 and handwrite "D/S" (meaning "duration of status") for F and J visa holders, or, for M visa holders, stamp your I-20 for a period of entry 30 days beyond the program end date;
- Stamp the I-94 card; handwrite the type of status you've been admitted into (F-1, J-1, or M-1) and either "D/S" for F and J visa holders, or the date-specific end date matching that written on the I-20 for M visa holders; staple it into your passport; AND
- Return your stamped I-20 or DS-2019, stamped I-94, passport, and CF-6059 to you.
Make sure you have all these documents with you—and that they have been properly stamped and annotated—before you proceed to collect your luggage. Turn in the CF-6059 as you exit Customs. If the officer has not followed the above procedure, politely point it out. The stamped forms are very important because they provide evidence of your immigration status in the US.
If there is an error with your documentation or some information CBP cannot verify in their system, you may be moved to another area called secondary inspection. Here you may be issued a Form I-515A giving you a 30-day period of admission, and instructed to see your international student advisor immediately. Your inspection may also be deferred to another date and location in order to resolve any outstanding issues. If this happens, contact the office that issued your I-20 or DS-2019 immediately.
You also might be asked to provide additional information in the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERS), which would add some more time to your inspection. For more detailed information on the US arrival process, consult the Arrival Procedures for Students & Exchange Visitors Quicklink on the CBP website.
Whether you have an issue at the port of entry or not (most likely you will enter the US without difficulty), you must report to your institution or program within 30 days of the start date on your I-20 or DS-2019; if you don't, you may face issues the next time you attempt to enter the US. Most offices that issue I-20s and DS-2019s ask that you report to them as soon as you arrive and offer orientation programs designed specifically to help you learn more about the conditions and benefits of your immigration status in the US. It is very important that you attend all orientations as they will familiarize you with your responsibilities as a US nonimmigrant and help you make the most of your US education.
Because US immigration policy is dynamic and the information above just a sketch of current practices, it is recommended that you consult with your institution or program not only when you have immigration-related questions but throughout your study in the US.