US-VISIT
Immigration & Visas
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F-type visa information
- 17-Month STEM OPT Extension Request Form
- Termination of Employment Report
- OPT & 17 Month STEM Extension 6 Month Validation Report
- H-1B Visa Cap-Gap extension application
- 17-month OPT Extension as of 5/1/08
- OPT Changes - 4/23/2008
- F-1 reinstatement
- Change of status from H-1 to F-1 student
- Change of status from F-2 to F-1 student
- F-1/I-20 extension of stay
- Inviting an F-2 dependent
- F-1 students: Transferring schools
- Optional Practical Training for F-1 students
- Optional Practical Training for F-1 Undergraduate Students
- Optional Practical Training for F-1 Graduate Students
- J-type visa information
- Immigration updates
- Immigration resources / links
- Checking in with ISSS
- What is SEVIS?
- Maintaining your legal status
- How to get a Social Security Number
US-VISIT is a Department of Homeland Security program that enhances the United States entry and exit system for foreign nationals requiring a visa to enter the U.S. Through US-VISIT, the United States will be able to effectively verify the identity of incoming visitors and confirm compliance with visa and immigration policies while continuing to expedite the process for legitimate trade and travel.
The law requires that an automated entry/exit program be implemented at most U.S. airports and seaports on December 31, 2003; and 50 of the most highly trafficked land ports of entry (POES) by December 31, 2004; and then all POEs by December 31, 2005.
Canadian citizens will be exempt from this process because of pre-existing agreements with the U.S. and Canada.
US-Visit system will eventually take the place of NSEERS, the National Security Entry Exit Registration System.
Entry procedures
- Many of the entry procedures in place today remain unchanged and are familiar to international travelers.
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers will review travel documents, such as a visa and passport, and ask questions about the visitor's stay in the U.S.
- The new, inkless fingerprint scanner is easy to use. The visitor will be asked to put one and then the other index finger on a glass plate that will electronically capture two fingerprints.
- Visitors also will be asked to look into a camera and their picture will be taken. This can be done while fingerprinting is in process.
- The enhancements to the entry procedures add minimal time to the process - only seconds in most cases.
Exit procedures
- The exit procedures at airports and seaports will be phased in, becoming operational in 2004.
- At the international departure area, visitors will see automated, self-service kiosks where they will be asked to scan their travel documents and repeat the fingerprinting process on the inkless device. Attendants will be available to assist with the process.
- The exit confirmation will be added to the visitor's travel records to demonstrate compliance and record the individual's status for future visits to the United States.
Please refer to the Department of Homeland Security website for additional information on the US-Visit program.