Visa Information for Accepted Students

You will need to carry the documents listed below with you. Do not pack them in your luggage because you will need to show them to the immigration inspector when you enter the U.S.

• Passport
• U.S. Visa Stamp
• I-20 or DS-2019
• Proof of SEVIS Fee payment
• Financial Documents

• Marriage certificate (for spouse)
• Birth certificate(s) (for children)
• Health and immunization records

First, after deplaning you will proceed to passport control.

• An immigration officer will inspect your passport, U.S. visa stamp, I-20 or DS-2019, and financial documentation.
• You will provide ten fingerprints and be photographed.
• Finally, once admitted to the U.S., you will be issued an I-94. Paper I-94 cards are only issued at land borders (U.S. Canadian Border or U.S. Mexican Border). If you make your initial entry to the U.S. from a land border, the inspector will stamp your I-94 card, write your visa category and “D/S” on it, and return all your immigration documents to you. If arriving in the U.S. by plane, your I-94 will be electronic. To view and print your electronic I-94, visit https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home.

Second, you will proceed to the baggage claim area and go through customs.

• At your first city of arrival in the U.S., you will collect your checked baggage (even if this city is not your final destination).
• A customs inspector may examine your luggage to see what you are bringing into the U.S.
• It is important to declare certain items at the border, including plants, certain foods and large amounts of money.
• You must declare to the officer any amount of money above $10,000 that you are carrying. This includes cash, money order, certified check, travelers’ checks or letter of credit. If you don’t, it can be seized.
• After exiting the customs area, you will place your baggage on the "re-check" belt or give it to the baggage attendant (your bags will then continue to Buffalo or to your final destination).