Terms and Definitions

Form I-20

Visa

I-94 Arrival/ Departure Record

Passport

Nonimmigrant Status

Department of Homeland Security

ICE

USCIS

Employment Authorization Document (EAD)

Form I-20

The Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status for Academic and Language Students is commonly referred to as the I-20.  This travel document, issued by the university to which you have been accepted, indicates for which program of study you have been approved (for example Intensive English, Undergraduate, or Graduate) and enables you to apply for a student visa (F-1) to enter the United States to begin a program of study.  The I-20 expires 60 days after you conclude your program or on the date indicated in item 5 of the I-20, whichever comes first.  Please be aware that you must sign the bottom of the I-20 in order to make it a valid document.

 Visa

A document that allows you to enter a country.  It is issued by the embassy of the country that you will visit and is stamped into your passport.  It is important to notice the type of visa (shown as a letter on US visas), the expiration date and the number of entries allowed. 

I-94 Arrival/ Departure Record

At the Port of Entry into the United State, the immigration officer will stamp your I-20 and give you a small, white card called I-94.  This is a document that shows your arrival date and required date of departure.  The I-94 has an 11 digit arrival number that is used on many immigration forms and should be kept in the passport.  Most of F-1 students have a departure date of D/S, or duration of status stamped on the I-94.  This means that you are allowed to remain in the United States as long as you maintain your F-1status.  As soon as you complete your studies or fail to follow the guidelines for F-1 students, you are required to leave the United States.

Passport

A document issued by the country of citizenship that is used for travel.  It should be kept valid at all times that you are out of your home country.  You can apply for this from your country of citizenship and renew it at your country’s embassy prior to its expiration.

Nonimmigrant Status

The immigration classification you have for the duration of your time in the United States (your nonimmigrant status) can be found on your I-94 card.  You are required to abide by the rules of the status you hold. When you enter the United States, you are given the status of your visa, for example F-1 status.  This will remain your status unitl you either leave the United States, apply for a change of status to another category, or fall out of status violating the conditions of that status.  

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The U.S. government agency that enforces U.S. immigration laws.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement

ICE is the investigative arm of the Border and Transportation Security Directorate (BTS), the operational directorate within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) tasked with securing the nation’s borders and safeguarding its transportation infrastructure.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service

Provides administration of benefits and immigration services.

Employment Authorization Document

EAD is a card issued by the USCIS to demonstrate your authorization for employment. EAD is normally valid for up to a year and the work permission dates are on the card.  The EAD is also called Form I-766.

U.S. Department of State (USDOS)

The U.S. government agency that operates U.S. Consulates and Embassies worldwide for U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents seeking assistance abroad, as well as for non-U.S. citizens seeking visas to enter the United States, if a U.S. visa is required for entry.