Travel Tuesday: What to Expect During Secondary Inspection
December 23, 2014
Throughout the month of December, we are posting travel tips for students who travel outside the United States during the academic and holiday break. This week, we share what you need to know as you re-enter the county.
When returning, it is important for F and M students to present necessary information and documents with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at a United States point of entry. If CBP officers cannot verify your information, or if you forgot one or more of the required documents for re-entry, the officer will escort you to secondary inspection.
Do not panic, as secondary inspections allow CBP to determine next steps without disrupting the re-entry process for other arriving passengers. Here are a few things to know about secondary inspection:
- The officer will first verify your status in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Therefore, it is imperative that you check with your designated school official (DSO) before leaving the United States to ensure your SEVIS record is up-to-date.
- Sometimes CBP will need to verify information directly with your DSO. Therefore, make sure you have the direct contact information for your DSO. This includes their name and daytime telephone number at the school. If you plan to arrive outside of regular business hours (such as after 5 p.m. on a holiday or weekend,) we highly recommend you also have your DSO’s emergency contact information to share with CBP.
- If CBP cannot verify your information, or if you do not have one or more of the required documents, CBP will either deny you entry into the country or issue you a Form I-515A, “Notice to Student or Exchange Visitor.” This form allows you to enter the United States for 30 days so that you may obtain and submit the proper documentation. If CBP denies you at the port of entry, you must leave the country immediately.
The best way to avoid secondary inspection is to have all of the necessary, up-to-date documentation needed for re-entry. Speak with your DSO before you leave the United States, as they can help answer your questions about how to prepare to leave and re-enter the country. In next week’s Travel Tuesday post, we will discuss the important steps you need to take if you receive a Form I-515A.
Do you have any tips or stories about traveling outside the United States as an F or M student? If so, we want to hear from you! Share your experience with us on Twitter or Facebook using #TravelTuesday.