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> Legal
Documents
> Certificates
of Immunization and Vaccination
> Prescriptions
for Medication and Eyeglasses
> Medical
and Dental Records
> Academic
Documents
> Contact
Information
Plan to bring with you to the United States any important
documents that relate to your legal, medical, and academic
history.
While traveling to the United States and while in the country,
it is important that you carry all important documents on
your person. Do not put them in a suitcase. Do not loan or
give them to anyone unless that person can show some form
of identification stating that he or she is authorized to
receive them.
Legal Documents
As a foreign national entering the United States, you must
have certain documents as evidence of your legal status. These
include:
- valid passport, issued by your country, with at least
six months validity beyond your entry date; nonimmigrant
visa placed inside your passport by a consular officer of
a U.S. Embassy or consulate (see chapter
3 for detailed instructions on how to apply for a visa);
- Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 A-B, I-20 M-N, or DS-2019form)
for students and scholars;
- Arrival-Departure Record (I-94 form), which will be issued
to you, usually on the airplane before landing, filled out
by you and reviewed and stamped by the immigration officer
at your point of entry into the United States. You may have
additional clearance procedures on arrival, in which case
you will be directed to a private work station where a photograph
and electronic (ink-less) fingerprints will be taken to
verify your identity, and a short interview conducted and
follow-up appointment scheduled to verify your plans.
These documents define your legal status. They are necessary
for your entry and stay in the United States, and for any
temporary departure from and reentry into the country. It
is extremely important that you keep these official documents
valid at all times. Failure to do so may cause problems with
your stay in the United States.
It is also a good idea to bring an official copy of your
birth certificate, as this may be requested when applying
for various forms of identification and other documents in
the United States. If you are married and your spouse will
accompany you, bring a copy of your marriage certificate or
other proof of marriage. Be sure to obtain notarized translations
of these certificates if they are not in English.
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Certificates
of Immunization and Vaccination
Ask at the U.S. embassy or consulate whether you must have
a medical examination and/or immunization(s) before entering
the United States. Regulations are different for each country
of origin. Inform the U.S. embassy or consulate if you plan
to visit other countries before going to the United States
because this might affect the requirements for you. Major
airlines often can supply information on U.S. entry requirements
from other countries. Your doctor also might recommend additional
immunizations.
Most universities require proof of immunity to measles, mumps,
and rubella. This usually is defined as two vaccinations for
measles, one for mumps, and one for rubella, given on or after
the first birthday. Many schools also require either a recent
(within six months to a year) PPD skin test or chest x-ray
to screen for or rule out tuberculosis infection. Be sure
that all immunizations are recorded on the yellow card of
the World Health Organization (WHO). This card should be available
from your doctor or from the public health service in your
country. For more information, look at the World Health Organization
homepage at http://www.who.int
or its page on U.S. vaccination requirements at http://www.who.int/ith/english/ame_no.htm.
Also check with the international student adviser to determine
your U.S. university's specific policies and regulations.
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Prescriptions
for Medication and Eyeglasses
When you enter the United States, you must declare medications
you are carrying on customs forms. Certain drugs may not be
brought into the country. If you have questions, check with
the U.S. embassy or consulate before you leave home. If you
take prescription medicine on a regular basis, bring a sufficient
supply and a copy of the prescription, written in English.
If you depend on eyeglasses, it is a good idea to bring an
extra pair, if possible, and a copy of your eyeglass prescription,
written in English.
Although you may feel more comfortable using medications
from home for headaches, colds, upset stomach, or minor injuries,
aspirin, ointments, and other remedies are readily available
in the United States. A pharmacist can advise you.
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Medical and Dental
Records
If possible, bring detailed and up-to-date medical and dental
records for yourself and any dependents who are traveling
with you. It is also a good idea to make sure that these records
reflect recent visits to your local health care professionals
for general examinations, blood tests, dental and eye checkups,
x-rays, and so on. This will not only help your U.S. doctors
get a better idea of recent or past diagnoses and treatments,
but may also help you avoid repeating these tests in the United
States at greater expense. (See "Health
Insurance Plan Exclusions.")
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Academic Documents
Bring official transcripts from secondary schools, colleges,
or universities. Additionally, bring any syllabi, catalogs,
bulletins, course descriptions, or other relevant materials
issued by the secondary school or university you have attended
most recently. These records can be very helpful to the admissions
office and academic departments if questions arise concerning
academic credit or your placement in courses at your U.S.
college or university.
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Contact Information
Include with your documents the name, address, and telephone
number of the individual at your U.S. university to contact
in case of a travel delay or an emergency. Also include the
name, address, and telephone number of a contact person at
home and the name, address, and telephone number of your country's
consulate in the United States or another entity, such as
an educational mission or sponsoring agency.
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