If the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the port of entry cannot verify your information, or if you do not have all of the required documentation, a CBP officer may direct you to an interview area known as “secondary inspection.” Secondary inspection allows inspectors to conduct additional research in order to verify information without causing delays for other arriving passengers.

The inspector will first attempt to verify your status by using SEVIS. In the event that the CBP officer needs to verify information with your school or program, we strongly recommend that you have the name and telephone number of the designated school official (DSO) at your school. If you will arrive during non-business hours (evening, weekends, holidays), you should also have an emergency or non-business hour phone number available for this official.

Under certain circumstances, the CBP officer may issue a Form I-515A "Notice to Student or Exchange Visitor," which authorizes temporary admission into the United States for 30 days while you obtain and submit the necessary documentation to SEVP. Work with your school without delay to submit the proper documentation required by the Form I-515A.