When you arrive in the United States, you must bring your required documentation with you. If you arrive at a U.S. port of entry with unsigned or incomplete required documents, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer may deny your entry into the country. As an alternative, the officer may issue you a Form I-515A, “Notice to Student or Exchange Visitor,” which allows temporary entry into the United States for 30 days.

While it is important to bring your documents and avoid receiving this form, follow these steps if you do receive a Form I-515A:

• First, alert your designated school official (DSO) as soon as you arrive on campus.
• Next, make note of what documents, signatures or information is missing or incomplete. You will need to submit the correct paperwork to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) Form I-515A processing team.
• Keep in mind that submission of your paperwork is due before the “admit until” date on your Form I-94, “Arrival/Departure Record.” Your nonimmigrant status ends if you have not sent your papers by that date and you may need to leave the United States.
• Finally, once you have the correct information, mail your documentation to:

Student and Exchange Visitor Program
DHS/ICE
ATTN: SEVIS/I-515A Processing Team
500 12th Street SW STOP 5600
Washington, DC 20536-5600

If your submission is correct, SEVP will return your documents to your DSO, along with a letter of approval, and extend your departure date.

To avoid receiving a Form I-515A, make sure you hand-carry the necessary paperwork when arriving at a U.S. post of entry, such as:

• Valid passport,
• Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” signed, and
• Evidence of financial support.

Recommended but not required:

• School acceptance letter or recent tuition receipt,
• Paper receipt for your I-901 SEVIS Fee, and
• Name and contact information of your DSO.

Remember, do not put these items in your checked baggage because you will not receive your baggage until you have received admittance by a CBP officer.

For more tips about your arrival, visit our Getting to the United States resource page.