Upon arrival, you will go through immigration inspection, where your electronic I-94 entry record will be created. Be sure to have your passport, immigration document, and the rest of the recommended items below with you. Do not pack them in your checked luggage. With all of the COVID-19 related changes to both U.S. immigrations and the operation of U.S. universities, we want you to have all the documents that you may need in coming or returning to the U.S. When you arrive at the U.S. port of entry, the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will certainly want to see the first three documents but may ask to see other documents on this list. The officer may also ask you to answer additional questions about your study plans. * All international scholars and family members planning to depart from the U.S. and return after a temporary absence must have a valid passport in order to exit the U.S. The passport must also be valid for a minimum of six months into the future at the time of re-entry to the U.S. Some countries have an agreement with the U.S. that automatically extends passport validity for 6 months, for U.S. entry purposes only. **U.S. visas cannot be obtained or renewed inside the U.S. Your visa and other immigration documents are evidence of your eligibility to apply for admission in a particular visa status at a U.S. Port of Entry. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and is the government agency that controls admission to the United States. The CBP officer makes the final decision on your admission to the U.S. in a particular status and determines how long you may stay based on your documents. The officer will review your documents, inspect your bag, and ask you a few questions about the purpose of your travel to the U.S. If all is in order, the officer will admit you to the U.S. and will stamp your passport with: The CBP officer will admit you to the U.S. and stamp your passport with: Before you leave the immigration check point, confirm that your visa information is correct. Make sure you have the small ink entry stamp with your visa classification and expiration date (“D/S” if you are F-1 or J-1) handwritten. The expiration date should match the end of the program (on the I-20 or DS-2019) plus a grace period. As soon as you have access to a computer please look-up your I-94 record to make sure it is accurate. Print or save a copy on your device. Most Yale students and scholars will clear U.S. immigration after your documents are reviewed by a CBP officer. However, a few may be referred to another officer to verify your student status or for additional questioning. This is referred to as “secondary inspection”. Although a referral to secondary inspection can be intimidating and make you feel anxious, there is usually little cause for alarm. Be aware that it can take an hour or two to complete this inspection process. If the CBP officer has questions that can be answered by OISS, ask the officer if they would like to call OISS for confirmation. During office hours, you can call your adviser directly or the general office number, (203) 432-2305. After hours. call Yale Security at (203) 785-5555, who will immediately contact the OISS director or associate director.Arriving in the U.S.
Documents to Have On-Hand
What to Expect at the U.S. Port of Entry
If the officer has additional questions, please see Secondary Inspection below for more information.
Secondary Inspection
Get to New Haven
Arriving in the U.S.: Immigration Inspection
COVID-Related Entry Requirements
Please refer to Current Travel Guidance for COVID-related entry requirements.
Important Note:
Carry these documents with you - don't put them in your checked luggage
Important Note:
If you do not have a stamp, or see the wrong visa classification written, request that the CBP officer give you a correct stamp. You may need to go to the Differed Inspection section of the airport.