ARRIVAL PROCEDURES FOR STUDENTS OR EXCHANGE VISITORS

**DEFINITIONS**

> **F-1 Academic Students** enter the United States to pursue a full
> course of study at one of the following types of DHS-approved academic
> institutions in the United States:

-   Established college or university

-   Seminary

-   Conservatory

-   Academic high school (or, for F-3 students, elementary school)

-   Language Training Program

> Attendance at a public elementary school, a publicly funded adult
> education program is prohibited. Study at a public secondary school is
> time-limited and requires reimbursement to the local educational
> agency.
>
> **M-1 Vocational Students** enter the United States to pursue a full
> course of study at one of the following types of DHS-approved
> nonacademic institutions (other than language training programs) in
> the United States:

-   Community college or junior college which provides vocational or
    technical training and which awards recognized associate degrees;

-   Vocational or other nonacademic high school;

-   Post-secondary vocational or business school;

-   School that provides vocational or nonacademic training other than
    language training;

-   School that offers both vocational and academic courses, as long as
    the student's primary intent is to study vocational courses.

> Language training qualifies only when taken at the same school for the
> purpose of enabling the student to understand the vocational or
> technical course of study.
>
> **J-1 Exchange Visitors** are foreign nationals who have been selected
> by a Department of State (DOS) designated program sponsor to
> participate in an exchange visitor program in the United States. This
> program is designed to promote mutual understanding between the United
> States and other countries through the interchange of persons,
> knowledge, and skills.

**ADVANCE PREPERATION PRIOR TO ENTRY**

Careful planning and preparation by students and exchange visitors can
ensure that the delay based established procedure is minimal. If you are
a non-immigrant student or exchange visitor, here are some things you
should do:

-   Before leaving your country, confirm that your passport and
    nonimmigrant visa are still valid for entry into the United States.
    The passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the date
    of your expected stay.

-   Check to see that your visa accurately reflects your correct visa
    classification.

-   If the visa states the name of the institution you will attend or
    identifies the exchange program in which you are participating,
    verify that this information is accurate as well. If your review
    indicates any discrepancies or potential problems, visit the U.S.
    Embassy or Consulate to obtain a new visa.

-   Students and exchange visitors entering the United States for the
    first time under their respective nonimmigrant visa classification
    may only be admitted up to 30-days prior to the program start date.

-   When you receive your U.S. nonimmigrant visa at the Embassy or
    Consulate in your country, the consular officer will seal your
    immigration documents in an envelope and attach it to your passport.
    You should not open this envelope! The Customs and Border Protection
    Officer at the U.S. port--of-entry will open the envelope.

-   When you travel, you should carry some specific documents on your
    person. Do not check them in your baggage! If your baggage is lost
    or delayed, you will not be able to show the documents to the
    Customs and Border Protection Officer and, as a result, may not be
    able to enter the United States.

Documents you should carry on your person:

-   Passport (including attached envelope of immigration documents) with
    nonimmigrant visa;

-   SEVIS Form I-20AB, I-20MN, or DS-2019;

-   Visa exempt nationals presenting a SEVIS Form I-20AB, I-20MN or
    DS-2019 issued on or after September 1, 2004, who are entering the
    United States for the first time should have a Form I-797, Receipt
    Notice or Internet Receipt verifying SEVIS Fee payment. Refer to the
    [U.S Immigration and Customs
    Enforcement](http://www.ice.gov/graphics/enforce/imm/sevis/sevis.htm)
    website for additional SEVP/SEVIS Program Information;

-   Evidence of financial resources,

In addition, it is **recommended that you also carry** the following
documents:

-   Evidence of Student/Exchange Visitor status (recent tuition
    receipts, transcripts);

-   Name and contact information for Designated School Official (DSO) or
    Responsible Officer (RO) at your intended school or program;

-   Writing instrument (pen).

If you are traveling by aircraft, the flight attendants on board will
distribute CF-6059 Customs Declaration Forms and Form I-94,
Arrival-Departure Record for immigration, before you land at your
initial point-of-entry in the U.S. Complete these forms while you are on
the aircraft and submit them to the appropriate Customs and Border
Protection Officer upon your arrival. **If you do not understand a form,
ask the flight attendant for assistance.**

Upon arrival at the port-of- entry, proceed to the terminal area for
arriving passengers for inspection. As you approach the inspection
station, **ensure that you** **have:** passport, SEVIS Form I-20 or
DS-2019; completed Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record; and, CF-6059
Customs Declaration Form available for presentation to the CBP Officer.
The Form I-94 should reflect the address where you will reside (not the
address of the school or program sponsor).

If you are entering through a land or designated seaport, the Customs
and Border Protection Officer will provide the necessary CF-6059,
Customs Declaration Form and Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record at the
port-of-entry. If you do not understand a form, ask the CBP Officer for
assistance.

Like all entering visitors, you will be asked to state the reason you
wish to enter the United States. 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 or exchange visitor. Be
prepared to include the name and address of the school or exchange
visitor program where you will enroll/participate.

If you are authorized optional practical training, this should be
reflected on page 3 of your SEVIS Form.

Once your inspection is complete, the inspecting officer will:

-   Stamp your SEVIS Form for duration of status ("D/S") for F and J
    visa holders;

-   Stamp your SEVIS Form for 30-days beyond program end date for M visa
    holders, not to exceed one-year;

-   Stamp the Form I-94 and staple it in the passport;

-   Return the SEVIS Form.

**SECONDARY INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS**

If the inspector cannot automatically verify your information or you do
not have all of the required documentation, you may be escorted to an
interview area know as "secondary inspection." Secondary inspection
allows inspectors to conduct additional research in order to verify
information. Verifications are done apart from the primary inspection
lines so that an individual case will not cause delays for other
arriving passengers.

It is recommended that you have readily available the name and phone
number of the foreign student advisor at your school or the person
responsible for your J-1 Exchange Visitor Program in case your
admission/participation needs to be verified. In the event you arrive
during non-business hours (evenings, weekends, holidays), you should
have a phone number where this individual can be reached during
non-business hours.

Failure to provide proper documentation and to comply with entry/exit
procedures is cause to refuse the student or exchange visitor admission
into the United States. In limited circumstances, if a student or
exchange visitor is mostly, but not fully in compliance, he/she may be
issued a Form I-515A, Notice to Student or Exchange Visitor. This form
authorizes temporary admission for 30 days into the United States and
requires the student or exchange visitor to take immediate action to
submit proper documentation. Noncompliance with the directions contained
on these forms can result in future adverse action.

CONTINUING STUDENTS

Continuing students who are going to travel outside of the United States
must see their foreign student advisor and obtain an endorsement from
the DSO or RO. The endorsement will be made on page 3 of the SEVIS Form
I-20 or page 1 of the DS-2019. When returning to the United States, a
continuing student/exchange visitor must present a valid SEVIS Form I-20
or DS-2019 with the DSO or RO signature showing that the student is
active and in good standing with the school or program.