Button Menu

Entering the US

You’re ready for travel! Your bags are packed, your flight is booked, and you have a visa stamp in your passport. Here’s what you need to do when entering the United States as an F-1 or J-1 student

Note: Be sure to schedule your arrival no sooner than 30 days before the program start date on your I-20 or DS-2019.

  1. Gather your required documents for entry to the US

    • Valid passport

    • Valid entry visa stamp (Canadian and Bermudan students excepted)

    • I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1)

    • SEVIS fee receipt

    • Letter of Acceptance to DePauw University

    • Proof of Financial Support. (These are all the documents that you shared with DePauw as proof of funding/financial ability. They may include bank statements or other confirmation of funding.)

  2. Arrive to the US: And Meet with Customs and Border Patrol (CBP)

    • The first US official you will meet when you arrive to the US is the CBP Officer

    • They will review your documents and will make the final decision about letting you into the US, deciding how long you can stay based on your documentation

    • They will ask you questions about the reason for your travel to and stay in the US, where and what you will be studying, and may check your bags, as well

    • A Secondary Inspection may be required if you do not have all of your document or if they cannot verify your information

  3. Get Your Passport Stamp (and check it)

    • The CBP Officer will admit you to the US and then stamp your passport. The stamp should include:

      • Date and location of arrival

      • Immigration status

      • Expiration of your stay in status

    • Your stamp should show F-1 or J-1 status as well as “D/S” which stands for “duration of status”. Duration of Status means that you’re able to stay until your program end date, as listed on your I-20 or DS-2019 (as well as a grace period).

    • If there is an error in this passport stamp, let the CBP officer know.

    • If the Officer does not stamp your passport, we recommend that you request it.

I-94 / Form I-515

    Contact Information

    Contact


    International Student Affairs
    5 W Hanna St
    Greencastle, IN 46135
    P: 765-658-4850
    E: intlstudents@depauw.edu

    Office Hours: M-F, 8am - 5pm

    Student Swipe Access is Daily from 8am - 12pm Midnight