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Passport

Identification document issued by one’s country of citizenship that certifies an individual’s legal identity and nationality.

  • At the time of entering the U.S., passport should be valid six months beyond the intended period of stay in the U.S. (exceptions)
  • Must remain valid at all times while in the U.S.
  • May be renewed at your country’s embassy/consulate in the U.S.

I-20: Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status

Legal document issued by a U.S. school through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) SEVIS database. It documents acceptance into a full course of study at the institution and provides proof of sufficient funds for the program.

  • Used to apply for an F-1 student visa at a U.S. consulate/embassy abroad.
  • Must be presented at the U.S. port of entry every time one seeks to enter the U.S in F-1 status.
  • It is valid only for the period of time specified on the form and only for the academic program at the school indicated on the I-20.
    • Your program end date is based on program completion timelines that have been approved by the U.S. Department of Homeland Secuirty. Your end date must be updated if you complete the program earlier or require an extension.
      • Program extensions require documentation of a valid academic circumstance and financial support and must be submitted prior to the I-20 end date.
  • Page 2 of the I-20 contains a travel endorsement section. A valid travel signature from a university official (DSO) is required for reentry into the U.S. A travel signature is valid for 12 months when you are a student; it is valid for 6-months when you are on Optional Practical Training, post-graduation.
  • All changes in information on the I-20 must be reported to ISSS within 10 days of the change. ISSS will issue a new document if necessary.
  • Retain a file of all I-20s that are issued to you as they are required to document maintenance of status and may be requested for future benefit applications (e.g., H-1B)

DS-2019: Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status

Legal document issued by a U.S. school through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) SEVIS database. It documents acceptance into a full course of study at the institution and proof of sufficient funds for the duration of the program.

  • Used to apply for a J-1 student visa at a U.S. consulate/embassy abroad.
  • Must be presented at the U.S. port of entry every time one seeks to enter the U.S in J-1 status.
  • It is valid only for the period of time specified on the form and only for the academic program at the school indicated on the DS-2019.
    • Your program end date is estimated and must be updated if you complete the program earlier or require an extension.
      • Program extensions require documentation of a valid academic circumstance and financial support and must be submitted prior to the DS-2019 end date.
    • J-1 students are not eligible for changes of program objective, category, or reverse-matriculation.
  • Page 1 of the DS-2019 contains a travel endorsement section. A valid travel signature from a university official (ARO) is required for reentry into the U.S. A travel signature is valid for 12 months when you are a student.
  • All changes in information on the DS-2019 must be reported to ISSS within 10 days of the change. ISSS will issue a new document if necessary.
  • Retain a file of all DS-2019s that are issued to you as they are required to document maintenance of status and may be requested for future benefit applications.

I-901 SEVIS Fee Receipt

You must print the receipt at the time of payment and bring it with you to your visa appointment and when you seek to enter the U.S.

Proof Payment of the I-901 SEVIS fee can be printed anytime at "fmjfee.com." After entering your SEVIS ID, Last Name and Date of Birth you will be able to print your payment confirmation.

U.S. F-1 or J-1 Visa

The U.S. F-1 or J-1 visa is a sticker with your photo and biographical information that is placed in your passport by a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. It permits the individual to request permission to enter the U.S. in a particular immigration status for a specific purpose (e.g., F-1 visa, to pursue study) at a U.S. port of entry.

  • The visa may expire in the U.S. as long as all other immigration documents are valid and up-to-date.
  • It can only be renewed at a U.S. embassy/consulate outside the U.S.
  • You must have a valid visa to enter the U.S. (exception: Automatic Visa Revalidation)
  • Visa validity does not necessarily reflect the duration of one’s status in the U.S.
  • Please note there are some exceptions to the F-1 or J-1 visa requirement. For example, citizens of Canada are exempt from the F-1 or J-1 visa requirement

Visas for SEVIS Transfer Students

  • You can travel with a valid, unexpired F-1 visa and a “transfer pending” CU Boulder I-20 even if the visa lists your previous school’s name, as long as your visa is still valid and you have not been outside of the U.S. more than five months between the end of your previous program and your return to the U.S.

I-94 Arrival/Departure Record

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers create an I-94 Arrival/Departure Record to document the admission of international visitors at the U.S port of entry, or in some instances a Pre-Clearance location abroad.Please use the I-94 website to access your most recent I-94.

The arrival record indicates a visitor’s basic demographic information; entry port and date; class of admission (e.g., F1, J1), and Admit Until Date (D/S: Duration of Status for F/J programs).

Review your I-94 arrival record every time your re-enter the U.S. to confirm that your entry was recorded properly as Customs and Border Protection sometimes makes mistakes that require correction, please reach out to ISSS if you notice an error on your I-94.