What to Expect at the Port of Entry
To make your travel and entry into the U.S. go smoothly, plan ahead and know what to expect.
When to Arrive
When making your travel plans, you should arrange to arrive in the U.S. within 30days before the start date of your program on the DS-2019 (see item #3). You may not enter the U.S. earlier than 30 days before the program start date. If you are delayed and cannot arrive by your program start date, contact International Student and Scholar Services (jscholar@pdx.edu) and your host department as soon as you know of the delay. You may need a new DS-2019 with a revised start date to enter the U.S.
Documents
When traveling, always hand-carry your documents with you. Do not put them in your checked baggage. You will not have access to your baggage until after the immigration inspection. Be prepared to present the following documents to the immigration officer:
- Passport
- Valid J-1 entry visa
- Original form DS-2019
- PSU host dept appointment or invitation letter
- Evidence of financial support
- SEVIS fee receipt (recommended for visa holders, required for Canadian citizens)
When completing immigration and other government forms, write your name exactly as it appears on your passport and DS-2019. Inconsistencies can cause serious problems and delays later.
Inspection
An immigration officer will ask you about your purpose for coming to the U.S. Answer all questions honestly and completely. The officer will take a fingerprint and photo. If everything is in order the officer will stamp your passport with your entry date and mark the stamp “J-1, D/S”. Check this stamp and notation in your passport before you leave inspection to be sure it was done correctly.
If you are entering the U.S. at a land border crossing, you will be given immigration form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record. When completing the I-94 form, write your name exactly as it appears on your passport and DS-2019. Inconsistencies can cause serious problems and delays later. At inspection the immigration officer will stamp your I-94 with your entry date and mark the card “J-1, D/S” and place the I-94 in your passport. Do not lose the I-94; it is very important!
If the immigration officer cannot verify your information or if you do not have all of the required documents, you may be directed to a “secondary inspection” area for further inspection. Be patient and cooperative.
If you have any problems during your entry, please notify ISSS as soon as you arrive on campus.
More information is available at U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Welcome to the United States!