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A Guide for International Graduate Students 2009-2010
B. OTHER VISA QUESTIONS
Visitor Visa DO NOT enter the U.S. as a visitor, either with a B-1 or a B-2 visa stamp. If you are from a country whose citizens are eligible for the Visa Waiver Program, DO NOT enter the U.S. with a WT (waiver tourist) or WB (waiver business) green I-94. If you enter as a visitor and apply for a change of status after arrival, you must wait until the change of status to F-1/J-1 is approved by DHS before beginning your program. A change of status inside the U.S. may take up to several months to process, and change of status applications submitted shortly after arrival are usually denied because they are considered visa fraud (entering the U.S. with a visa that does not accurately match your intention for entering the U.S.). Extending or changing from WT or WB to any other non-immigrant status is not possible under any circumstances. If you are coming to the U.S. to study, you should come with an F-1 or J-1 student visa. If your I-20/DS-2019 is lost or delayed, you may be able to apply for a B-2 Prospective Student visa. If the B-2 visa is marked Prospective Student you may use that to enter the U.S. and then apply for a change of status after arrival in the U.S. However, you may not legally enroll in classes nor may you begin your assistantship before your change of status has been approved. Also, you may not engage in any other on-campus work while in B-1/B-2 status until that status has been changed. If your I-20/DS-2019 is lost, contact the OVS immediately. F vs. J Visa Most international students study in the U.S. in F-1 student status. Princeton University issues I-20s for all students unless a sponsor or home country requires a student to be a participant in the Exchange Visitor Program and to obtain a J-1 visa. The Exchange Visitor Program exists to promote international education and cultural exchange to develop mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries. Ordinarily a J-1 visa is required for those students who are sponsored by an international organization or government agency (either in the U.S. or abroad) or who are participants in a formal exchange between Princeton and an institution abroad. To ensure the maximum benefits of the program, many J-1 students are subject to the “two-year home residence requirement.” Individuals subject to this requirement have restrictions on their ability to remain in the U.S. following the completion of their studies. Further details are explained on page two of the DS-2019. If your sponsor requires a J-1 visa, you will find enclosed a DS-2019 that you will use to apply for a J-1 visa. Arrival in the U.S. Prior to your arrival in the U.S. you will be asked to complete a form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record. If you cross at a land border, there is a $6 fee for the I-94. If you travel by plane, this cost is included in the price of your airline ticket. When you arrive in the U.S., the DHS officer will review your passport, I-94, I-20/DS-2019, I-901 SEVIS fee receipt and accompanying documents (i.e., your Princeton University admission letter and/or reply and financial documentation). Remember to carry all these documents with you. Do not store them in your luggage. After being endorsed by an officer, the I-94 card should be stapled into your passport. The card should indicate the date of your arrival, the port of entry and your nonimmigrant status (either F-1 or J-1). The card should also be marked D/S indicating you may remain in the U.S. for Duration of Status. The date of your arrival, the port of entry, your non-immigrant status (either F-1 or J-1) and D/S indicating you may remain in the U.S. for Duration of Status should also be indicated on your I-20/DS-2019. D/S allows you to remain in the U.S. for the length of time you are enrolled as a full-time student, plus any authorized practical/academic training after you complete your program and a “grace period” to depart the U.S. Details about the grace period and practical/academic training will be discussed during International Graduate Student Orientation. Review your documents carefully at the immigration inspection station to make sure the proper information was noted. If any errors are made, politely ask for them to be corrected. It is very important to remember that, in most cases, the only way to have a document corrected is at the port of entry itself. Corrections to documents after leaving the port will be difficult and time consuming and can lead to problems with other agencies (for example: with the Motor Vehicles Commission when you apply for a driver’s license, Social Security Administration, Internal Revenue Services, etc.). If the DHS officer determines that you do not have the proper documents, he/she may issue form I-515 and require you to submit the proper documents to the DHS within 30 days of arrival. Your I-94 will be marked with a date of expiration INSTEAD of D/S. If this happens, you should report to the OVS with all of your documents immediately. For further information, consult a DHS sheet Arriving at a U.S. Port of Entry...What a Student Can Expect. US Visit US-VISIT is an automated entry system that applies to all visitors to the U.S., including F-1 and J-1 students. Contact the Office of Visa Services immediately if you have encountered any problems at the port of entry. If there is an emergency and you need to contact us after regular business hours (9 am to 5 pm) please call Public Safety at (609) 258-3134. SEVIS Reporting All F-1/J-1 students are required to report to the Office of Visa Services at Princeton University within 15 days of their arrival in the U.S. Please bring your passport, I-20/DS-2019, and I-94 card.
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© The Trustees of Princeton University Last modified 02/27/07 Web questions and comments: voelcker@princeton.edu |