Students and Exchange Programme visitors to the United States have been advised a list of 'dos and don'ts' by the Department of Homeland Security to facilitate their entry into that country.
A two-page very elaborate advisory for such visitors was circulated here by US Public Affairs Office here during Eid holidays advising students and exchange visitors to plan and prepare their journey carefully.
The advisory is confined to passengers travelling under the Students and Exchange Visitor Programme (SEVP) and not tourists, businessmen or relatives of US citizens.
It requires such people to ensure before leaving their country that their passport and visa are valid for entry into the US with the passport being valid for at least six months beyond the date of 'expected stay'.
Also, check to see that the visa accurately reflects the correct classification and also an envelope, sealed by the Consular Officer issuing the visa containing immigration documents, is attached to the passport.
The envelope should not be tampered with, as only the Immigration or Customs officer at the port of entry is authorised to open it.
It further says: "--When you travel, you should carry some specific documents on your person. Do not check them in your baggage! If your baggage is lost or delayed, you will not be able to show the documents to the Customs and Border Protection Officer and, as a result, may not be able to enter the United States.
The documents one should carry in hand are:
-- Passport (including attached envelope of immigration documents) with visa;
-- SEVIS Form 1-20 AB, 1-20MN, or DS-2019;
-- Evidence of financial resources.
In addition, SEVP recommends that visitors also should carry the following:
-- Evidence of Student/Exchange Visitor status (recent tuition receipts, transcripts)
-- Name and contact information for Designated School Official or Responsible Officer at your intended school or program
-- Writing instrument (Pen)
"If you are travelling by aircraft, the flight attendants on board will distribute CF-6059 Customs Declaration Forms and I-94 Arrival-Departure Record Forms for immigration, before you land at your initial point of entry in the United States. Complete these forms while you are on the aircraft and submit them to the appropriate Customs and Border Protection Officer upon your arrival. If you do not understand a form, ask the flight attendant for assistance.
"Upon arrival at the port of entry, proceed to the terminal area for arriving passengers for inspection at one of the Department of Homeland Security stations.
As you approach the inspection station, have your: passport, SEVIS Form 1-20 or DS-2019, Form I-94 Arrival-Department Record, and CF-6059 Customs Declaration Form available for presentation to the Customs and Border Protection Officer. The Form I-94 should reflect the address where you will reside (not the address of the school or program).
"If you are entering through a land or designated sea port, the Customs and Border Protection Officer will provide the necessary CF-6059 Customs Declaration Forms and I-94 Arrival-Department Record Forms at the port of entry. If you do not understand a form, ask the Customs and Border Protection Officer for assistance.
"Like all entering visitors, you will be asked to state the reason you wish to enter the United States. You will also be asked to provide information about your final destination. It is important that you tell the Customs and Border Protection Officer that you will be a student or exchange visitor. Be prepared to include the name and address of the school or exchange visitor program where you will enrol/participate.
"Once your inspection is complete, the inspection officer will:
-- Stamp your SEVIS Form for duration of status ("D/S") for F and J visa holders
-- Stamp your SEVIS Form for 30 days beyond program end date for M visa holders
-- Stamp the I-94 and staple it in the passport
"If your information can not be automatically verified by the inspector or you do not have all of the required documentation, you may be directed to an interview area known as "secondary inspection". Secondary inspection allows Inspectors to conduct additional research in order to verify information. Verifications are done apart from the primary inspection lines so that an individual case will not cause delays for other arriving passengers.
"In the case your admission/participation needs to be verified, we strongly advise that you have the name and phone number of the foreign student advisor at your school or the person responsible for your J-1 Exchange Visitor Programme. In the event you arrive during non-business hours (evenings, weekends, and holidays), you should have a phone number where this individual can be reached during non-business hours.
"Failure to provide proper documentation and to comply with entry / exit procedures is cause to refuse the student or exchange visitor admission into the United States.
In limited circumstances, if a student or exchange visitor is mostly, but not fully in compliance, he/she may be issued a Form I-515A "Notice to Student or Exchange Visitor".
This form authorises temporary admission into the United States and requires the student or exchange visitor to take immediate action to submit proper documentation.
Noncompliance with the directions contained on these forms can result in denied entry".