Immigration

Student and Exchange Visitor Information System

Entering the U.S. - Immigration Procedure

As a guest in the U.S., it is important that you cooperate fully with the Immigration Officer and answer all questions clearly and respectfully. The officer may ask you for some general details about your visit. You will also show the officer the documents listed below.

The procedure for entering the U.S. is as follows:

When you arrive in the U.S., present your DS-2019 form and your J-1 visa in your passport to an officer of the Immigration Officer.
The Immigration Officer will take a copy of your DS-2019 form and return one to you. Keep your copy of the DS-2019 form safely with your passport at all times. If your DS-2019 is lost or stolen, contact CIEE immediately.
The Immigration Officer will also stamp your I-94 card. One part of the I-94 will be stapled to your passport and the other copy will be kept by Immigration as a record of your arrival. When you depart the U.S., your I-94 card will be taken and sent to the USCIS (Unites States Citizenship and Immigration Services). This is a record that you departed the country by the end of your authorized stay. This card must be with your passport at all times and is almost impossible to replace if lost, so please keep it safe.

If you are traveling within the U.S., keep in mind that the security and screening process may be different than the one you experienced when boarding a plane in your country. At U.S. security checks:

You are required to remove your shoes before you enter the walk-through metal detector. All types of footwear must be placed on the X-ray machine to be screened.
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.

For a complete list of what you can or can't bring, and other travel tips, visit the TSA Website.