U.S. Immigration
All international students come to the United States under regulations of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service.
Passport
Every international student must have a passport. Most passports are valid for a limited time. Before the expiration date, a foreign student must have the passport renewed at his or her country's nearest consulate or embassy in the United States.
Visa
To receive a visa to enter the United States, most students will receive a Form 1-20 or DS2019. Unless you are from a country not subject to visa restrictions, this form must be taken by the student to a U.S. Consulate Office. The Consulate will issue the visa and mark it in your passport.
Subject to visa requirements, an international student may not enter the United States unless the visa entry has been made in the passport. Your should advise the University if your country will permit you to leave only on a “J”-type visa.
When You Arrive
Upon arrival at a port of entry to the United States, present the passport and form I-20 or DS2019 to receive an Arrival/Departure Record (Form I-94). Permission to stay in the United States will be for the duration of your status as a bona fide non-immigrant student.
(Note: Forms I-20 and DS2019 [request for visa] will not be issued by Emory University until you have been accepted for a program of study and have submitted evidence of funds necessary to meet all expenses while enrolled.)
