As a foreign national entering the United States, you must have
certain documents as evidence of your legal status. These include:
- valid passport, issued by your country, with at least six
months validity beyond your entry date; nonimmigrant visa placed
inside your passport by a consular officer of a U.S. Embassy or
consulate (see 'Visa Information' for detailed instructions on
how to apply for a visa);
- Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 A-B, I-20 M-N, or DS-2019
form) for students and scholars;
- SEVIS I-901 fee receipt (form I-797 – paper receipt) and
copy of SEVIS I-901 form (see SEVIS information for description
of SEVIS form and fee);
- Arrival-Departure Record (I-94 form) and the Customs
Declaration Form (CF-6059), which will be issued to you, usually
on the airplane before landing, filled out by you and reviewed
and stamped by the immigration officer at your point of entry
into the United States. You may have additional clearance
procedures on arrival, in which case you will be directed to a
private work station where a photograph and electronic
(ink-less) fingerprints will be taken to verify your identity,
and a short interview conducted and follow-up appointment
scheduled to verify your plans.
These documents define your legal status. They are necessary for
your entry and stay in the United States, and for any temporary
departure from and reentry into the country. It is extremely
important that you keep these official documents valid at all times.
Failure to do so may cause problems with your stay in the United
States.
It is also a good idea to bring an official copy of your birth
certificate, as this may be requested when applying for various
forms of identification and other documents in the United States. If
you are married and your spouse will accompany you, bring a copy of
your marriage certificate or other proof of marriage. Be sure to
obtain notarized translations of these certificates if they are not
in English.
Ask at the U.S. embassy or consulate whether you must have a medical
examination and/or immunization(s) before entering the United
States. Regulations are different for each country of origin. Inform
the U.S. embassy or consulate if you plan to visit other countries
before going to the United States because this might affect the
requirements for you. Major airlines often can supply information on
U.S. entry requirements from other countries. Your doctor also might
recommend additional immunizations.
Most universities require proof of immunity to measles, mumps, and
rubella. This usually is defined as two vaccinations for measles,
one for mumps, and one for rubella, given on or after the first
birthday. Many schools also require either a recent (within six
months to a year) PPD skin test or chest x-ray to screen for or rule
out tuberculosis infection. Be sure that all immunizations are
recorded on the yellow card of the World Health Organization (WHO).
This card should be available from your doctor or from the public
health service in your country. For more information, visit the
World Health Organization homepage at https://www.who.int/. Also
check with the international student adviser to determine your U.S.
university's specific policies and regulations.
When you enter the United States, you must declare medications you
are carrying on customs forms. Certain drugs may not be brought into
the country. If you have questions, check with the U.S. embassy or
consulate before you leave home. If you take prescription medicine
on a regular basis, bring a sufficient supply and a copy of the
prescription, written in English. If you depend on eyeglasses, it is
a good idea to bring an extra pair, if possible, and a copy of your
eyeglass prescription, written in English.
Although you may feel more comfortable using medications from home
for headaches, colds, upset stomach, or minor injuries, aspirin,
ointments, and other remedies are readily available in the United
States. A pharmacist can advise you.
If possible, bring detailed and up-to-date medical and dental
records for yourself and any dependents who are traveling with you.
It is also a good idea to make sure that these records reflect
recent visits to your local health care professionals for general
examinations, blood tests, dental and eye checkups, x-rays, and so
on. This will not only help your U.S. doctors get a better idea of
recent or past diagnoses and treatments, but may also help you avoid
repeating these tests in the United States at greater expense. (See
"Health Insurance Plan Exclusions.")
Bring official transcripts from secondary schools, colleges, or
universities. Additionally, bring any syllabi, catalogs, bulletins,
course descriptions, or other relevant materials issued by the
secondary school or university you have attended most recently.
These records can be very helpful to the admissions office and
academic departments if questions arise concerning academic credit
or your placement in courses at your U.S. college or university.
Include with your documents the name, address, and telephone number
of the individual at your U.S. university to contact in case of a
travel delay or an emergency. Also include the name, address, and
telephone number of a contact person at home and the name, address,
and telephone number of your country's consulate in the United
States or another entity, such as an educational mission or
sponsoring agency. |
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