Here are some highlights of what to expect in the airport upon arrival:
- You should expect to go through both immigration and customs inspections at the U.S. port of entry.
- Due to heightened security concerns since the attacks of September 11, 2001, your carry-on and checked luggage may be thoroughly searched by airport personnel. You may also be required to go through a pre-inspection procedure at certain airports abroad.
- You should expect immigration and customs procedures at the various U.S. ports of entry to take awhile to complete.
Be prepared to show the port-of-entry inspector the following documents:
- Passport (with F-1 visa)
- Original SAL I-20 (NOT a photocopy)
- I-94 card (this little white card will be given to you on the airplane)
- Be ready to state the reason you wish to enter the United States; tell the CBP Inspector that you will be a student at Studies in American Language at SJSU.
- Answer all questions politely and briefly. Do not offer any information that goes beyond the scope of the question asked you.
- The port-of-entry inspector will return your passport to you, will stamp and give to you the lower portion of your I-94 arrival/departure card, as well as stamp your SEVIS I-20. F-1 students - please check to make sure that they have stamped your documents and also written F-1 and D/S with the stamp.
Please note: F-1 visa students are permitted to enter the US 30 days prior to the program start date listed on their I-20. Students who attempt to enter earlier may be refused entry.
Please visit this link for more information: Arriving at a U.S. Port of Entry...What a Student Can Expect.
(Some content borrowed from SJSU IPS)
