The First Entry Process of American Immigrants

1) passengers are guided to the entry inspection room and queued for inspection according to different entry visas. Non-immigrant visa holders (F 1) should be non-residents, and immigrant visa holders or green cards should be citizens/residents.

2) When it's your turn to be inspected, hand in your passport, I-20 or IAP-66, I-94 and customs declaration form to the immigration officer for inspection. You know, holding a passport and visa does not guarantee entry. Because the visa only gives the holder the right to enter the country, it is up to the immigration officer to decide whether to allow entry. Immigration officers will check the "blacklist" to see if the foreigner is on the list. If he has a bad record in the immigration department in the past, it will be difficult for him to enter the country if he is deported.

3) As usual, the immigration officer will ask you some questions, the most important of which is to determine where you live after coming to the United States, the purpose of coming to the United States and how much money you will bring. Don't be nervous, just answer calmly.

4) After asking questions, immigration officials will sign on I-20 or IAP-66 and I-94-stamp, indicating the date of entry, the visa status and the period of legal re-entry. If you hold a (F- 1) visa, the United States will allow you to stay in the United States until you have completed the necessary years of study.

So usually, the immigration officer will stamp the column of I-94 with the seal of D/S(durationofstatus). If you have an exchange scholar (J- 1) visa, the United States only allows you to stay for a certain period of time. You must study the courses specified in IAP-66 to maintain your exchange scholar status. No matter whether you have an F- 1 or J- 1 visa, you should note that your passport must always be valid for more than six months when you enter the United States.

5) The immigration officer will tear off the exit part of I-94, nail it on the passport and return the third page of I-20 or IAP-66 to you. You should immediately confirm that the information added is correct, and if there are any mistakes, please correct them immediately. Going back to ask or ask questions after leaving the counter will only increase your troubles.

American immigration is the beginning of the whole immigration process. After successfully obtaining an American immigrant visa, the applicant is faced with the problem of how to adapt to the life after immigration, understand the humanities of American society, and lay a stable foundation for adapting to immigrant life as soon as possible.