Rules and Regulations When Entering the       United States

Please follow these simple rules to ensure an uneventful entry and stay in the United States:

 

• Students may not enter the US more than 30 days prior to the start date listed on their I-20 or DS-2019 Form. The program start date is governed by the student's school and may not be changed. Students wishing to enter the US in F-1 status prior to the 30-day start date are not advised to do so. Please plan your travel to the US accordingly.

 

• Students should enter the United States for full-time study in either the F-1 or J-1 visa categories, NOT a B-2 Tourist Visa. You should not enter the US on a B-2 tourist visa, as it is likely that you will have to leave the US shortly after your arrival to obtain a J-1 or F-1 visa and return. In special cases, US consular offices will sometimes issue a B-2 visa marked "prospective student" which will allow you to change to F-1 or J-1 status without leaving the US. OAS does not recommend students to enter the US as a "prospective student" because you will NOT be able to commence your studies until your change of status to F-1 is approved by the USCIS. Generally, it takes the USCIS approximately 2 months to process a change of status application to F-1 and approval of the change of status is not guaranteed.

 

• At the port of entry in the US, an immigration officer will examine your I-20 or DS-2019, passport, and entry visa (if applicable). He or she will stamp both your I-94 card ("arrival and departure record") and your I-20 or DS-2019 form. Please keep these extremely important immigration documents in a secure place.

 

• Students must attend the school whose I-20 or DS-2019 form was used to obtain a student visa and to enter the US. If, for example, you enter the US on a Form I-20 issued by another college, but then attend TCNJ, you will almost certainly have to leave the US shortly after your arrival and re-enter using TCNJ's I-20 or DS-2019 Form. You cannot accept any employment, including a teaching assistantship, unless you hold F-1 or J-1 status valid for attendance at The College of New Jersey.

 

• Traveling to the US - What to expect at the Port of Entry

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US-VISIT PROGRAM:

Beginning December 31, 2003, the US Department of Homeland Security implemented a new system for recording information on the entry and exit of non-US citizens into and out of the United States. The new system is called US VISIT (Visitor and Immigration Status Indicator Technology.).The US-VISIT program is operational at most major U.S. airports and seaports and tracks foreign visitors to the U.S. through the use of biometrics (=measurable, physical characteristics used to recognize identities such as fingerprints and facial features.) Newark Liberty International Airport is one of these participating sites.

When students and the dependents in F/J status enter the U.S., immigration officers continue to review their travel documents (i.e. passport, SEVIS I-20, visa, etc.) In addition, they takes the non-immigrants' fingerprints (with inkless fingerprint scanner) and a digital photograph of their face. When non-immigrants depart the U.S., they are required to "check out" at an exit kiosk at the port of departure. The exit procedures have not been fully implemented. Non-immigrants are expected to complete the exit procedures where the exit kiosks and attendants are available in some major U.S. ports.

• US-VISIT Program website

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TEMPORARY ABSENCE & RE-ENTRY INTO THE UNITED STATES:

Absences longer than 5 months will require a new “initial attendance” I-20/DS-2019 and payment of SEVIS I-901 fee. This constitutes beginning a new F-1/J-1 program, and students will not be eligible for any off-campus employment (i.e. OPT, CPT) until they enroll for one academic year on full-time basis.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR RE-ENTRY:

In order to re-enter the U.S. after a temporary absence (not exceeding 5 months) you must carry the following documents:

• Valid Passport (valid at least 6 months into the future)

• Valid F-1/J-1 visa stamp (except for a short trip to Canada, Mexico and Adjacent Islands)

• Valid I-20/DS-2019 with travel endorsement from the DSO/RO of TCNJ or J-program sponsor. An F-1 student who is out of status must have a new “initial attendance” I-20.

• Evidence of adequate finances (includes personal/family bank statements, affidavits of supports, ect.)

• Copy of TCNJ transcript and your current course schedule for proof for Full-Time Enrollment
  

TRAVEL ENDORSEMENTS:

To travel outside of the country and re-enter the U.S. as an F-1/J-1 student, you must have a valid I-20/DS-2019 which has been endorsed by an International Student Advisor (F-1) or Program Sponsor (J-1). F-1 students may need a new I-20 if they have failed to maintain status.

F-1 and J-1 students whose form was issued by TCNJ must obtain the travel endorsement signature at the office of International and off-Campus program and the Summer School (Green Hall 111). Bring the following documents to request an endorsement:

 

• Completed TRAVEL ENDORSEMENT FORM

 

• Your current, original I-20/DS-2019

Allow one week for processing. A travel signature is valid for one year from the date of issuance. However, you are advised to obtain a new endorsement if the previous one is over six months old.

For J-1 students whose DS-2019 was issued by another program sponsor, you must contact your sponsor to have your document endorsed for re-entry.

 

CHANGE OF STATUS:

Students currently in the US in another nonimmigrant visa classification such as H-1B or F-2 who are not traveling outside the US, must apply to USCIS for a change of status. Generally, it takes USCIS approximately 2 months to process a change of status application to F-1 or J-1 student status. Students must report the results of their change of status application to the Office of International and Off-Campus programs the Summer School within two weeks of your notification by USCIS.

APPLYING FOR A NEW VISA:

To request permission to re-enter the U.S. from outside of North America, you must have a valid F-1 or J-1 visa in your passport. A U.S. visa can only be obtained abroad, at a U.S. Embassy/Consulate, preferably in your home country.

J-2/F-2 DEPENDENT TRAVEL:

Dependents in F-2/J-2 generally need the same documents to re-enter the U.S. as the primary F-1/J-1 student. Be sure to obtain an endorsement on the dependent I-20 or DS-2019 in order to re-enter the U.S.
Dependents are not required to travel with the primary F-1/J-1 student. In addition, dependents may remain in the U.S. without the primary as long as the F-1/J-1 maintains their current status and will return after a temporary absence (generally 30 days or less) using the same SEVIS ID number.

• More information on Spouse & Family (Dependents)
  

 

IF YOUR VISA HAS EXPIRED:

 

• Your visa does not determine how long you may stay in the United States. However, to reenter the U.S. in valid F-1 or J-1 status you must have a valid F-1 or J-1 visa. You can obtain a visa only from a U.S. consulate outside the U.S.

 

• New visa processing procedures and requirements are now in place that have led to significant delays in processing times. Meet with an advisor from the office of International and Off-Campus Programs and the Summer School prior to finalizing travel plans.

 

• Citizens of certain countries may find very significant delays due to new security measures, as well as students in certain "high technology" or "sensitive scientific" subject areas.

 

• If you need to travel but your entry visa has expired, you must apply for a new visa from a U.S. Consulate / Embassy. It is best to apply for a student/scholar visa in your home country. If you apply at a third country, expect processing delays. At the consulate / embassy, you should provide:
  

1. An unexpired passport valid at least six months into the future

2. A valid I-20 AB or DS-2019, which has been signed for travel

3. Proof of financial support as reflected on the I-20 or DS-2019

4. Students must show proof of enrollment at TCNJ in the form of a transcript or certificate of enrollment

5. To better prepare, read our page about Visa Information, wait times and the application process

 

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TRIPS TO CANADA, MEXICO AND ADJACENT ISLANDS:

To facilitate entry into Canada or Mexico as a visitor, you must carry all the documents listed below EXCEPT for a valid F-1/J-1 visa stamps for some students. In addition, a visitor's visa may be required depending on your country of citizenship.

• Have a valid F-1 or J-1 student / scholar status.

• Have a valid I-20 or DS-2019 in your possession, which has been signed for travel

• Have an unexpired I-94 card with you (do NOT surrender it when you leave the U.S.)

• Have an unexpired passport valid at least six months into the future

• Have a previously-issued nonimmigrant visa (even for a different nonimmigrant classification)

VISITOR'S VISA TO CANADA AND MEXICO:

F-1/J-1 students or their dependents who are planning a trip to Canada or Mexico should contact the respective consulate offices to determine whether a visitor's visa to the country is needed prior to your trip.

• Canadian Consulate

• Mexican Consulate

 

RE-ENTERING THE US FROM CANADA ON AN EXPIRED F-1/J-1 VISA:

Many students may travel to Canada, Mexico and Adjacent Islands and re-enter the U.S. on an expired F-1/J-1 visa if the trip does not exceed 30 days. (Referred to as Automatic Revalidation) Citizens of Iraq, Iran, Syria, Libya, Sudan, North Korea, and Cuba are not eligible for this benefit and must be in possession of a valid F-1/J-1 visa to enter or re-enter the U.S. at all times. Automatic Revalidation, or entry on expired visa, does not apply when a student applies for a new F-1/J-1 visa and is denied in Canada or Mexico.

 

CANADIAN CITIZENS:

If you are a Canadian citizen, you will need a passport or an entry visa to enter the U.S. from Canada or another country within the Western Hemisphere (a passport is also required for entry from a third country outside the Western Hemisphere). Please also note the following:

 

• You will need a valid I-20 or DS-2019 with a valid travel signature in order to reenter the U.S. as a foreign student or scholar

• You must present your Form I-20 or DS-2019 and make a request upon entering the U.S. to be granted F-1 or J-1 status. This means that you must receive or retain in your possession an I-94 card indicating that you were admitted for either F-1 or J-1 status for duration of status ("F-1 D/S" or "J-1 D/S"). Canadians who enter without the appropriate documents for F-1 or J-1 status are considered short-term tourists ineligible for employment or any other benefits associated with F-1 or J-1 status.

• Landed immigrants must have a valid F-1 or J-1 visa, as well as a valid passport and evidence of Canadian permanent residency to enter the U.S.