Embassy of the United States

Information for Visitors to the U.S.

Information for Students

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:

• An established college or university
• A seminar
• A conservatory
• An academic high school (or, for F-3 students, elementary school)
• A Language Training Program

Attendance at a public elementary school or 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:

• A community college or junior college which provides vocational or technical training and which awards recognized associate degrees;
• A vocational or other nonacademic high school;
• A post-secondary vocational or business school;
• A school that provides vocational or nonacademic training other than language training;
• A 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 any delays they may face are 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 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 Immigration Officer and, as a result, may not be able to enter the United States.

Documents you should carry on your person:

• Passport with nonimmigrant visa;
• SEVIS Form I-20AB, I-20MN, or DS-2019;
• 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: your 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).

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.

WHAT YOU ARE PROHIBITED TO CARRY WITH DURING YOUR TRAVEL TO U.S.

Books, Video Tapes, Computer Programs & Cassettes

Pirated copies of copyrighted articles, such as unlawfully made reproductions or articles produced without the copyright owner's authorization are prohibited from importation into the United States. Pirated copies will be seized and destroyed.

Firearms & Ammunition

If your travel to the United States is primarily for the purpose of hunting or lawful sporting activities, firearms and ammunition may be entered under the stipulation that such firearms and any remaining unfired ammunition are taken out of the United States upon departure.

If hunting or a sporting event is a secondary reason for coming to the United States because the travelers will establish residence whether temporarily or permanently, the firearms and ammunition are subject to restrictions and import permits. Fully automatic weapons and semi-automatic assault-type weapons are prohibited.

For complete information and to obtain the necessary permits to import firearms, contact the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Department of Justice; Firearms and Explosives Import Branch; Washington, D.C. 20226, USA.

Food Products

Bakery items and all cured hard cheeses are admissible. The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) publishes a pamphlet called Travelers Tips, which offers detailed information on bringing food, plant, and animal products into this country. Imported foods are also subject to requirements of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Fruits, Vegetables, Plants

Many fruits, vegetables, plants, cuttings, seeds, unprocessed plant products, and certain endangered plant species are either prohibited from entering the country or require an import permit. Endangered or threatened species of plants and plant products, if not prohibited from importation, will require an export permit from the country of origin. Every single plant, plant product, fruit, or vegetable must be declared to the CBP officer/CBP agriculture specialist and must be presented for inspection no matter how free of pests it appears to be. Most commercially canned or processed items are admissible.

Meats, Livestock, Poultry

Meats, livestock, poultry and their by-products (e.g., sausage, pâté) are either prohibited or restricted entry into the United States, depending upon the animal disease condition in the country of origin. Fresh meat is generally prohibited from most countries. Canned meat is permitted if the inspector can determine that it is commercially canned, cooked in the container, hermetically sealed, and can be kept without refrigeration. Other canned, cured, or dried meat is severely restricted.

Medicines

Narcotics and dangerous drugs are prohibited entry. There are severe civil and/or criminal penalties if imported.

A traveler requiring medicines that contain habit-forming drugs or narcotics (e.g., cough medicine, diuretics, heart drugs, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, antidepressants, stimulants, etc.) should:

• Have all drugs, medicines, and similar products properly identified.
• Carry only such quantity as would normally be used by an individual having a health problem requiring the drugs or medicines.
• Obtain either a prescription or written statement from your personal physician that the medicine is for use under a doctor's direction and that it is necessary for your physical well being while traveling.
• Declare such drugs or medications to the CBP officer.

Money

There is no limit on the total amount of monetary instruments that may be brought into or taken out of the United States, nor is it illegal to do so. However, if you transport or cause to be transported (including by mail or other means) more than $10,000 in negotiable monetary instruments on any occasion into or out of the United States or if you receive more than $10,000, you must file a Report of International Transportation of International Currency or Monetary Instruments (FinCen 105) with U.S. Customs and Border Protection denoted in the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act, 31 U.S.C. 1101, et. seq. Failure to comply can result in civil and criminal penalties, including seizure of the currency or monetary instruments. Monetary instruments include U.S. or foreign coin, currency, travelers’ checks, money orders, and negotiable instruments or investment securities in bearer form.

Liquids

Air travelers may now carry liquids, gels and aerosols in their carry-on bag when going through security checkpoints.

With certain exceptions for prescription and over-the-counter medicines, baby formula and breast milk, and other essential liquids, gels, and aerosols, the following rules apply to all liquids, gels, and aerosols you want to carry through a security checkpoint.

• All liquids, gels and aerosols must be in three-ounce or smaller containers. Larger containers that are half-full or toothpaste tubes rolled up are not allowed. Each container must be three ounces or smaller.
• All liquids, gels and aerosols must be placed in a single, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag. Gallon size bags or bags that are not zip-top such as fold-over sandwich bags are not allowed. Each traveler can use only one, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag.
• Each traveler must remove their quart-sized plastic, zip-top bag from their carry-on and place it in a bin or on the conveyor belt for X-ray screening. X-raying separately will allow TSA security officers to more easily examine the declared items.

For more detailed information please visit Transportation Security Administration web page at http://www.tsa.gov/311.