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When you receive your U.S. nonimmigrant visa
at the embassy or consulate in your country, the consular
officer will seal your immigration documents in an envelope
attached to your passport. DO NOT OPEN THE ENVELOPE. Instead,
the U.S. immigration inspector at the U.S. port of entry will
open the documents. The following documents should be carried
with you, and never packed in your checked baggage:
- passport;
- visa;
- I-20 AB form, I-20 MN form, or DS-2019 form;
- evidence of financial resources.
Some time before your arrival in the United States, the flight
attendants will distribute customs declaration forms and arrival-departure
forms for immigration (I-94). Fill these out on the plane.
You will submit them to the appropriate U.S. customs and immigration
authorities after you land. If you do not understand a form,
ask the flight attendant for assistance.
Once you have left the airplane, follow the other passengers
into the terminal area reserved for incoming passengers. You
will be asked to get in line in front of the immigration inspection
booths. As you approach, have your passport, I-20 or DS-2019
form, and I-94 (arrival-departure card) ready for inspection
by the immigration officer. You are likely to be asked your
purpose for entering the United States and your final destination.
An appropriate response is "to attend [name of school]
in [name of city, state]."
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