Travel >> Arrival Procedures

As you plan for your arrival to the United States, please keep the following things in mind:

 Airports in Chicago

 There are two international airports in Chicago.

O’Hare International Airport (ORD)

Midway Airport (MDW)

How soon may a new International Student arrive in the United States?

  • F-1 students and their dependents (F-2) entering the U.S. for the first time (SEVIS I-20 indicates “Initial Attendance”) can enter the U.S. no earlier than 30 days before the starting date under item five of their Form SEVIS     I-20
  • J-1 students and their dependents (J-2) entering the U.S. for the first time can enter the U.S. no earlier than 30 days before the “From” date listed under item three of their Form SEVIS DS-2019.

What to Expect at the port-of-entry

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers will review your documents upon your arrival.  Submit the following documents to the immigration officials at the port of entry:

  • Form SEVIS I-20 or Form SEVIS DS-2019
  • Valid Passport
  • Valid F-1/F-2 or J-1/J-2 Visa Stamp
  • I-94 Card
  • I-901 SEVIS Fee Payment Receipt

You may be asked to present additional documents including your financial documents that you submitted when applying for your visa. Be prepared to present these additional documents and to have them handy in your carry-on luggage. 

The Officer should review your documents and stamp the SEVIS I-20 or DS2019 with “F-1/J-1 for D/S”. The Officer should also stamp the I-94 card with the port-of-entry date stamp and should include the same notation. All of your documents should be returned to you.  

For a detailed list of what to expect upon arrival at a U.S. port of entry you should read Fact Sheet:  What a Student or Exchange Visitor can Expect Upon Arrival At a U.S. Port of Entry. 

Students returning to continue their studies after a trip abroad should read the ISO Travel Abroad Checklist.

 US-VISIT 

The US-VISIT (US Visitor and Immigration Status Indication Technology) program was put into place on January 5, 2004. Under this program, all visitors to the U.S. (with limited exceptions) holding non-immigrant visas, regardless of country of origin are required to be digitally photographed and fingerprinted upon arrival and must check-out upon departure. If you have a connecting flight to Chicago, it is important to plan for extra time. 

For more information on the US-VISIT program, please visit the Department of Homeland Security web site. 

Updated 11/2007