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Re-Entering the U.S.

Required Documents to Re-Enter the U.S.

• F-1  students (current and OPT)

   

• J-1  students (current and post-completion Academic Training)

   

• J-1 scholars

   

• H-1B scholars

Form I-94 (Paper or Electronic) and Passport Stamps

• Entering the U.S. by Land: Paper Form I-94

Make sure you have the appropriate required documents from the above list when re-entering the U.S. If you are entering by land, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will issue you a Paper Form I-94, a small white card stapled into your passport.

• Entering the U.S. by Sea or Air: Electronic Form I-94

Beginning April 30, 2013 if you are entering the U.S. by air or sea, both of the following should occur:

1. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer should stamp your passport, indicating your date of entry and visa status granted (such as:  F-1 - D/S, J-1 - D/S).
2. You should be issued an Electronic Form I-94. This will be available to print on www.cbp.gov/I94. Please check this website, make sure your arrival information is correct, and print the record. See below for what mistakes to look for.

• If There is a Mistake on your Form I-94 or Passport Stamp

Your Form I-94 (paper or electronic) or passport stamp needs to contain certain information.  Look for one of the following:

1. For those entering in F-1 or J-1 (student or scholar) status, the Form I-94 and the stamp in your passport should have the notation "F-1 - D/S" or "J-1 - D/S." This indicates that you have been granted admission for "duration of status" (D/S). Duration of status means that as long as you are maintaining your F-1 or J-1 status, you may legally remain in the U.S. until the end of your academic program (as listed on your Form I-20 or Form DS-2019).
2. For those entering in H-1B status, the stamp in your passport and/or Form I-94 (paper or electronic) should have a "valid until" date that corresponds to the ending date on the H-1B approval notice.

If your Form I-94 (paper or electronic) and/or passport stamp (if you have one) are not marked correctly according to your status, you can request a correction if you are still at the port of entry.

Otherwise, if you do not notice a mistake while you are still at the port of entry, please come to the ISSO as soon as possible so that we can advise you on how to receive a correction.