Important Terms and Forms

Immigration Status - This refers to your visa category, such as F-1, F-2, J-1, J-2, B-2, etc.

Passport - This document is issued by the government of your country and is required to depart and re-enter your country as well as the United States. Your passport must be valid at all times during your stay in the United States.

U.S. Visa - Stamped in your passport by the U.S. Consulate. It enables you to enter the U.S. for the time of its validity.  Normally, students in the U.S. have either an F-1 or J-1 visa.

I-20 Form - When you are admitted to the ALCI, you are sent an I-20 form. You must present this form to the U.S. Consulate to receive an F-1 visa. The SEVIS Form I-20 consists of three pages. The program end date of the I-20 is the expected date of completion for your academic program. Each F-1 student must retain his/her Form I-20 to establish legal status in the U.S.

I-94 Record – Your I-94 record is also knows as your Arrival/Departure record. This records your entries to and departures from the United States. Students arriving will need to present a copy when checking in with the ALCI on the first day of orientation. Important features of the I-94 record include the Class of Admission (F1, J1) and the Admit Until Date (D/S). This record may be accessed at I-94.gov

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) - The U.S. government agency which enforces U.S. immigration laws at ports of entry.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) - The U.S. government agency that provides support services to visa students and other noncitizens in the U.S.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) - The U.S. government agency that maintains and monitors the SEVIS system and enforces immigration regulations.