Entering the U.S.
The visa issued by the consulate does not guarantee entry to the U.S. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have authority to deny your admission at the port of entry at their discretion. Therefore, please have all your documents in order when you arrive to the U.S. As your flight approaches the U.S., the flight attendant will pass out a Customs declaration document. You will need to fill-out all the pertinent information regarding your arrival and items you are bringing in to the U.S. At the port of entry, a DHS/CBP officer/inspector will review your documents and ask you a few questions. Then they will stamp your passport with the location, non-immigrant classification, and the length of your stay in the U.S. Once you have arrived to UHV, we will print a document called I-94 during orientation. Form I-94 is record of crossings through U.S. ports of entry. UHV Office of International Programs will print one copy of the I-94 and give you a copy, but you must also know where to print the I-94. Every time you depart the U.S. you will need to print the I-94 and submit it to the Office of International Programs in compliance with federal regulations. Keep all of your documents in a safe place!
Important Information:
- Canadian students do not need visa stamps to enter the U.S., but they must present the Form I-20 or DS2019 at the port of entry in order to be properly classified as having non-immigrant student status.
- Students who are eligible to enter the U.S. under the visa waiver program should not choose this travel option. Please apply for the appropriate student visa.
- Students are not allowed to enter the U.S. 30 days prior to the start date of their I-20 or DS2019.