Entering the United States
At the port-of-entry you must present:
- An unexpired Certificate of Eligibility:
- New students and scholars preparing to begin a program of study in the U.S.: an Initial Form I-20 or DS-2019 with a Program Start Date no greater than 30 days in the future.
- Students enrolled in a course of study: a Continued Attendance Form I-20 endorsed for travel by a DSO within 12 months with a future Program End Date.
- Students engaged in post-completion OPT: a Continued Attendance Form I-20 with OPT authorization endorsed for a travel by a DSO within 6 months and within the authorized dates of OPT.
- Students engage in an Exchange Visitor Program: a DSO 2019 with a Travel Validation within the maximum travel validation period.
- Scholars engaged in an Exchange Visitor Program: a DSO 2019 with a Travel Validation within the maximum travel validation period.
- Valid Passport
- Valid F-1, F-2, J-1, or J-2 visa
- Evidence of finances
- Employment Authorization Document (EAD) if issued by USCIS for authorized employment (does not apply to on-campus employment or CPT)
- Letter of Offer from High Point University (for initial entry) or a copy of your transcript and current course schedule (for enrolled students)
If returning from Canada, Mexico, or adjacent islands (except Cuba) after a visit of less than 30 days solely in those countries, your visa need not be valid; however, you will be required to show your previously issued I-94 in addition to the other documents listed above.
Students outside the U.S. for more than one semester and those on Optional Practical Training (OPT) may have additional requirements.
Grace Period
If you are in lawful F-1 status when you successfully finish your degree program at HPU, you will have a 60-day grace period to depart the U.S. This grace period will be shorter if you do not successfully finish your program in lawful F-1 status.
If you are in lawful J-1 status when you successfully finish your exchange visitor program at HPU, you will have a 30-day grace period to depart the U.S. This grace period will be shorter if you do not successfully finish your program in lawful J-1 status.
During the grace period, you will be able to remain in the U.S.; however, you will not be permitted to leave and reenter the U.S. on your F or J visa. The only way to reenter the United States will be to do so on another nonimmigrant visa category, such as a visitor visa (although students from countries that participate in the Visa Waiver Program will be able to enter the U.S. from the western hemisphere without a visa). Grace periods for dependents in lawful F-2/J-2 status will be subject to similar grace period regulations as their principal visa holder.
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