Here’s what you need to know if you’ve got a student visa and are heading to the US
Post Date – Sunday 23rd July 16th at 12:15pm
Here’s what you need to know if you’ve been granted a student visa and are heading to the United States. First, visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website for details on what to prepare for and what to bring.
During your travels, be sure to keep all immigration documents with you. Please do not leave any of these documents in your checked luggage, as you will need to present them for inspection at a US port of entry before claiming your luggage.
Upon arrival, you will apply to be officially “admitted” to the United States at a U.S. port of entry under a specific immigration category.
US Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) officials will review the following documents:
• Valid passport (valid for at least six months from the date you entered the United States)
• A valid visa corresponding to your intended academic activities in the United States
• All relevant immigration documents (eg Form I-20 for F-1 students, Form DS-2019 for J-1 students and scholars, I-797B for H-1B, etc.)
During an immigration inspection, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer will ask you some questions about the purpose of your trip to the United States. Be sure to explain that you will be studying, conducting research, teaching or working in your context. If you are asked questions about funds for your stay, answer honestly and show the officer your financial documents.
If you present the necessary documents and answer the officer’s questions satisfactorily, you will be “admitted” to the United States under a specific visa category.
The officer will electronically update your DHS entry record and stamp your passport with the following information:
• The date you entered the United States
• Immigration status and permission to enter the United States
• Your status expiration date (F-1 and J-1 visas will have “D/S” indicating the status period, while other categories will have specific dates)
Double-check the stamp in your passport to make sure it contains all three pieces of information.Additionally, you can access an online database to verify and print your immigration information during your stay in the US
After completing the inspection, be sure to bring all immigration documents with you before leaving the area.
If a US Customs and Border Protection officer finds your documents incomplete upon entry, you may receive Form I-515A and a date-specific passport entry stamp. These documents grant you temporary permission to enter the United States, usually for 30 days. If you receive Form I-515A, it is important that you contact your university’s International Student Office (ISO) immediately, as the ISO will require additional documentation in order to respond to the I-515A by the deadline.
Submit the necessary original documents before the date on your passport stamp expires to avoid termination of your F-1 student status and SEVIS record.
If you notice any errors in your passport entry stamp after leaving a US port of entry, please contact ISO for assistance.
– US Consulate General in Hyderabad
