If you are an F-1 or M-1 international student and you arrived to the United States without a required document, or with unsigned or incomplete documents, you may have received a Form I-515A, “Notice to Student or Exchange Visitor.” When a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer gives you this form, it allows you temporary entry into the United States for 30 days.

It is very important to take timely action on your Form I-515A and work with your designated school official (DSO) to respond to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) by the date listed on the form. If you do not, it can negatively affect your student status and you may be required to depart the United States. 

If you received a Form I-515A, you must:

1. Alert your DSO as soon as you arrive on campus and let them know that you received a Form I‑515A. 
2. Gather the missing or incomplete documents, signatures and information.
3. 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 may end if you do not send your documents by that date. This means your student record may be terminated in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, and you may need to leave the United States.

Once you have the correct information, work with your DSO to mail your documents 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 in the future, hand-carry the necessary paperwork when arriving at a U.S. port of entry and prepare for your arrival by reading these Back to School Travel Reminders for Students.