Students: Take Action on Your Form I-515A
July 1, 2015
F and M international students who arrive in the United States must present required documents before being admitted into the country. These include a signed Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” a valid passport, proof of financial support and payment of the I-901 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) Fee.
If you arrive at a U.S. port of entry with unsigned, incomplete or forgotten required documents, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer may deny your entry into the country. As an alternative, you may be issued a Form I-515A, “Notice to Student or Exchange Visitor.” This form allows you temporary entry into the United States for 30 days.
If you receive a Form I-515A, it is very important that you send your response to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) within 30 days. If you do not, it will negatively affect your international student status in the United States and you may be required to depart the United States.
Be sure to work with your designated school official (DSO) and follow these important steps if you receive a Form I-515A:
- First, alert your DSO as soon as you arrive on campus that you received a Form I-515A.
- Gather the documents, signatures or information that is missing or incomplete. You will need to submit the correct paperwork to SEVP.
- You must work with your DSO to submit the required paperwork to SEVP before the “admit until” date listed on your Form I-94, “Arrival/Departure Record.” Your nonimmigrant status will end if you do not send your documents by that date. This means your student record will be terminated and you will need to leave the United States.
- Once you have the correct information, work with your DSO to 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 all the information you sent to SEVP 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. port of entry and prepare for your arrival by reading these tips on the Study in the States’ Getting to the United States page.