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A Guide for International Graduate Students 2009-2010

1.  VISA & IMMIGRATION CONCERNS FOR  STUDENTS OUTSIDE THE U.S.

Travel Documents

1. Passport

International students must obtain a passport from their government under whatever regulations apply in their country for permission to travel abroad and reenter. The passport, which also serves as proof of identity, must be kept valid at all times while within the United States. If your passport will expire while you are in the U.S., apply for an extension PRIOR to the expiration date. You can renew your passport through your country’s Embassy/ Consulate in the U.S. If your passport is lost or stolen, you should report it immediately to the local authorities and file for a replacement at your Embassy/Consulate. Canadian citizens are required to have a passport when arriving in the U.S. by air, of from the outside of the Western Hemisphere, and will be required to have a passport for all land and see entries no later than June, 2009.

2. Certificate of Eligibility (I-20/DS-2019)

Because you have accepted an offer of admission from Princeton University, you are being sent a Certificate of Eligibility (I-20/DS-2019) to apply for a student visa. If an I-20 form is enclosed, you will apply for an F-1 visa. If a DS-2019 is enclosed, you will apply for a J-1 visa. Your document was created in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). SEVIS is a U.S. government internet-based reporting and document  production system. Please review your I-20 or DS-2019 immediately. Make sure all information printed about you and your program of study is correct. If there are any errors, contact the Office of Visa Services (OVS) to determine whether or not a replacement document must be issued. Note that you have been given a reporting date as determined by your department. It is the first date listed in item 5 on the form I-20 or item 3 on form DS-2019. This is the latest date by which you are expected to arrive in Princeton. Please note that there is an International Graduate Student Orientation program scheduled on September 10th and 11th for all new international graduate students. Some students may have orientation programs organized by their academic departments as well (this information will be sent directly to students by their department). All first-year graduate students can register on-line, beginning Wednesday, September 2nd, and must sign in with the Graduate School on Tuesday, September 15th. 

If you cannot arrive at Princeton by the program start date noted on your I-20/DS-2019, contact your academic department and request permission to arrive on a later date. If the department agrees, ask for a letter stating that they have no objection to your late arrival. This letter may be requested by the U.S. Embassy/Consulate and/or the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials at the port of entry, so carry it with your other immigration documents.

 If you plan to arrive earlier than the program start date noted on your I-20/DS-2019, please coordinate this with the Housing Office (if you will live on campus) and with your academic department. It may not be possible for you to begin to work on campus (including research assistantships) earlier than the date noted on your I-20/DS-2019. Please consult the OVS if you have questions about your immigration documents. If you have questions about housing, please contact the Housing Office directly.

More information about the Housing Office, as well as contact information, can be found at the Housing Office website.

Important notes:

●  F-1 and J-1 students may enter the U.S. up to but no more than thirty (30) days prior to the start date as noted on their I-20/DS-2019. 

● You are required to attend the school whose I-20/DS-2019 you used to obtain your visa.  

● Read the printed instructions on your form and sign it as required. The I-20/DS-2019 is a very important document; keep it with your passport in a secure location at all times.