Page Comparison

DHS Department of Homeland Security                                Security (formerly called U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service) 

                                As  As of March 1, 2003, there are three Bureaus in the new DHS:

                                                BCIS (Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services)

                                                BICE (Bureau of Immigration & Customs & Enforcement)

                                                BCBP (Bureau of Customs & Border Protection)

        SEVIS               SEVIS: Student & Exchange Visitor Information System, a

A recently implemented electronic filing system of DHS for international students.

        DSO                DSO: Designated School Official

                At UNW: The International Student Advisor in the Registrar’s Office (N2134)

Form I-94      94: Arrival/Departure record

F-1                  1: Visa for student in academic or language program

Visa                 Visa: Used to enter the United States, and is stamped in the student’s passport

I-20 A-B          B: Certificate of eligibility for nonimmigrant non-immigrant (F-1) student status, pages 1& 3 of the form

I-539               539:  Application to extend status/change nonimmigration non-immigration status

I-688B            Employment 688B: Employment authorization document (EAD)

I-765               765:  Application for employment authorization

There are four travel documents that are important to you: (1) your valid passport (issued by your home country), (2) your U.S. visa (F-1), (3) your Form I-20 A-B or Form I-20 ID if you have previously been in the U.S. in F-1 status and (4) evidence of financial support.

 NOTE: Citizens of Canada should check with your consulate before attempting to cross the border into the US. They will advise you regarding what documents you need to have in your possession, in addition to the I-20, and they can inform you of any procedures of which you need to be aware. Do contact your consulate and be well prepared.

 NOTE: All F-1s get their I-94 at the port of entry. It is extremely important that you keep it with your passport and VISA.

All ports of entry may not handle your arrival in the same manner. However, your I-20 will be stamped and returned to you. The Immigration Officer will enter your arrival information into the electronic SEVIS system.

NOTE:The DSO keeps a copy of all of your documents. Please bring all of your travel documents to this person in the Registrar’s Office (N2134) as soon as you arrive. The university must have copies of your documentation on file ASAP.

 IMPORTANT: You should have your I-94 and your I-20 A-B in your possession at all times except when DHS is processing documents for you. It is highly recommended that you carry a copy of these documents with you at all times. If you should lose them, you should apply for replacement documents. The DSO, in the Registrar’s office, should help you with any immigration matters. 

As a foreign student, you are subject to US laws except those pertaining to immigration, voting rights and citizenship; you are also protected by American laws.

Should you come into conflict with U.S. law, the first person to contact is the DSO in the Registrar’s Office or the Director of C-Grace G111Cultural Development  G105. He/She will let you know whom to contact next, either a lawyer or another responsible person.