Initial Entry and Re-Entry to the US
Arrival/Departure Record (Form I-94)
Before your arrival in the U.S., you must complete an arrival/departure record. If you enter the U.S. via airplane, you will automatically receive an I-94 card, which is created by your airline and given to you with your boarding pass. The cost of the I-94 card is included with the cost of your ticket. The Form I-94 should be kept attached to your passport at all times since it indicates the purpose of your admission and the length of time for which your stay is authorized (date of entry, non-immigrant status and D/S, duration of status).
If you are a Canadian citizen and you plan to enter the U.S. at a land border, you will need to pay a small fee to receive your I-94 card, typically less than $10.
Please note: Students will receive a new I-94 card each time they re-enter the U.S. If you are not issued an I-94 card upon re-entry to the U.S., you must be sure to request one from the immigration official at customs (it should be stapled into your passport or stapled onto your I-20/DS-2019.. If you lose your I-94 card, please notify the Center for International Education immediately, as you will need to apply for a replacement. Please be advised that there is a fee incurred with the application for a renewed I-94 card.
Customs Enforcement
Upon arrival in the U.S., you must pass through customs where your documents are reviewed by an immigration official, who is a representative of the Department of Homeland Security. The official examines your I-20 or DS-2019, your passport, I-901 SEVIS fee receipt, and your supplemental documentation, which includes your Rider University admission letter and any financial documentation. The immigration official may also request the name and contact information for your Designated School Official (DSO). On your I-20 or DS-2019 you will see the DSO who issued your forms. For security purposes, DO NOT pack these documents in your luggage; be sure to carry them with you.
For more information regarding arrival to the U.S., please refer to the “Arriving at a U.S. Port of Entry… What a Student Can Expect” fact sheet issued by the DHS, at http://www.ice.gov/sevis/factsheet/100104ent_exchng_fs.htm.
U.S. VISIT
All non-immigrants, regardless of their country of origin, are required to adhere to the regulations of the U.S. VISIT program, which includes having your index fingers scanned and a digital photograph taken to match your travel documents. This program was designed to enhance security and further legitimize travel and maintain integrity for foreign visitors. For more comprehensive information, please refer to www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/content_multi_image/content_multi_image_0006.xml.
Re-entry to the U.S.
Whenever you plan to leave the U.S., ensure that your travel documents are valid at all times. Without these documents, you may not be allowed to return to the United States. A Designated School Official (DSO) must sign the third page of your I-20/DS2019 at least once each year.
You must have a valid visa and a valid passport for at least six months into the future (which means that you will have to apply for an extension of your passport at least six months before the expiration date). You must have your visa renewed if it expires while you are out of the U.S. and before you return to the U.S.. Students who plan to travel may also obtain a letter indicating that they are in status and have been authorized to travel with the understanding that they will return to complete their academic programs. To obtain a letter, please contact the Center for International Education at least two weeks before you plan to travel.
Maintenance of Status
If you are not in F-1 or J-1 student status and are in the U.S. in another non-immigrant status but would like to or need to change your status to F-1 or J-1, you must apply for an official change of status to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). Please be advised that change of status applications can be cumbersome and the process may take a long time (up to 12 months in some cases). Therefore, you should consult the Center for International Education to inquire about a change in status. If necessary, you may be referred to a seasoned immigration attorney for further assistance and information.
SEVIS Reporting
SEVIS regulations require that Rider report the full-time status of all F-1 students each semester. Full-time enrollment is 12 credits for undergraduates and 9 credits for graduates. Rider is required to report enrollment status within 30 days of the registration date identified by the Registrar. Less than full-time enrollment is possible only under exceptional circumstances and requires authorization by the Center for International Education. Failure to obtain authorization is a violation of the conditions of F-1 and J-1 visas.
If you are a part-time student or on a leave of absence from the University and you remain in the U.S., you are deemed out of status by the Department of Homeland Security and will be required to apply for a reinstatement should you choose to return to Rider University. Unfortunately, reinstatement to valid F or J status is difficult and may not be approved. If you have any questions or concerns about your visa status, consult the Center for International Education.
Address Reporting
SEVIS regulations require that all F-1 and J-1 students report a change of address (excluding temporary summer addresses) to the USCIS within 10 days of the change. Rider is required to report your change to SEVIS within 21 days; therefore, the Center for International Education will report any change of address to SEVIS on your behalf. Immigration requires both:
- your permanent (non-U.S.) address
- residential address in the U.S.
