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At the U.S. Port of Entry
When you can enter the country: An international student may enter the U.S. no more than 30 days prior to the program start date on his/her Form I-20. You may be denied entry into the U.S. if you arrive more than 30 days prior to the program start date.
Necessary Documents
What documents you should present at a U.S. Port of Entry:(Do not pack these in your luggage!)
Passport (valid for at least 6 months) with an F-1 visa
Valid Form I-20
Evidence of financial resources
Evidence of student status, such as recent tuition receipts or transcripts
Paper receipt for SEVIS fee, Form I-797
Name and contact information for your 'Designated School Official' at Cambridge College
I-94 Card
The flight attendants on your airplane will give you an I-94 card (Arrival-Departure Record). The I-94 card is rectangular in shape and WHITE in color. It will have a computer generated 'Admission Number' on the top and will ask you for some basic demographic information (name, country of citizenship, passport number, etc.). You need to fill this in very carefully, so that the information on your I-94 card matches the information on your passport and Form I-20. Instructions for completing this form are available on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Website.
Procedures at U.S. Port of Entry
Once you have landed and are going through a U.S. Port of Entry, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer will review all of your documents and may ask you some questions like 'What college will you be attending?' or 'What do you plan to study?' 'Where will you be staying?'. Do not be alarmed by these questions. The officer is only trying to make sure that your answers match the information on your paperwork. The CBP Officer will then tear the top of the I-94 card and give you or staple the bottom portion in your passport. The I-94 is one if not your most important document! If it is lost or stolen, you will have to pay $300 to replace it.You need your I-94 card because you will be asked to turn it in when you depart the U.S.
The CBP Officer will also stamp your I-94 card and your Form I-20. The stamps will read 'F-1 for D/S (duration of status)', meaning that you can remain in the U.S. as long as you remain a student in a valid non-immigrant F-1 status. Prior to departing the CBP processing area, review the information recorded on your I-94 card and Form I-20.
If you have any errors on your documents please contact the ISO as soon as you arrive or visit U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Website.
Upon completion of the CBP processing, you will need to retrieve your luggage and proceed through Customs. You may be asked to open your suitcases. You should not be carrying any agricultural products with you.
Once you have passed through these checkpoints, you will continue on your way to your final destination!
For more information on the process of entering, visit the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Website for international students:
US-VISIT is a new exit and entry verification system. Department of Homeland Security has begun collecting 10 fingerprints from international visitors at many airport locations. Please visit Department of Homeland Security website for more information:
Student I.D. Cards
When you arrive on campus, you should report to Student Records Department located at 1000 Massachusetts Ave. in Cambridge to get your Cambridge College I.D. A service representative will take your photo and assist you in getting your card.
If you experience any problems when using this site, please contact the IT department.
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