Immigration Information

INTERNATIONAL OFFICE

General Information

All students and scholars who are in the United States on non-immigrant visas are subject to regulations mandated by the U.S. government. The SMU International Center provides advice about these regulations and assists students in obtaining any benefits permitted by law.

The information summarized in this section includes some basic terminology and regulations that all students and scholars must know while studying in the United States. Because immigration law is subject to change often, and because each student's or scholar's circumstances are unique, you should always consult the International Center staff for the latest information.

Common Terms

Passport -- Issued by the government of your country. Your passport must be valid at all times during your stay in the United States.

U.S. Visa -- Enables you to enter and re-enter the United States for the time during which it is valid. The visa is stamped in your passport by the U.S. Consulate or Embassy.

Immigration Status -- Refers to your visa category, such as F-1, F-2, J-1, J-2, B-2, etc.

I-94 Card -- The card you receive upon entering the United States, also known as the Arrival/Departure Record. The I-94 card shows for how long you are authorized to stay in the United States and includes your admission number. It also displays your visa status in the United States (F-1, J-1, F-2, etc.).

I-20 Form -- Students present this form to receive an F-1 visa and F-1 status upon entry to the United States. It is made up of two parts: I-20 School, and I-20 ID (Student) Copy. The expiration date in item #5 is the expected date of completion for your academic program. Each F-1 student must retain his/her form I-20 ID Copy to establish legal status in the United States.

DS-2019 Form -- Students and scholars present this form to receive a J-1 visa and J-1 status upon entry to the United States. After entering the United States, J-1 students and scholars must keep only the pink copy of this form. The DS-2019 form shows the authorized program participation dates and a description of the exchange program.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) -- The U.S. government agency that enforces U.S. immigration laws.

United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) -- Administers immigration documents and services.

Employment Authorization Document (EAD) -- A plastic card issued by the DHS to demonstrate your authorization for employment. The EAD is also called Form I-688B.

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.

Passport and Immigration Verification

The International Center is required by law to maintain accurate and up-to-date records for each non-immigrant student or scholar at SMU. All international students and scholars must participate in passport and other immigration document verification prior to their initial enrollment. This is typically done when the student or scholar first arrives at SMU.

All new students are required to attend an International Student Orientation, which is held just before classes begin for the fall and spring terms. To complete passport and immigration document verification, the student brings his or her documents to be verified by an International Center staff member.

Immigration Information for new and current International Students and Scholars