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What is a Form I-515A?


January 28, 2013

As an F or M student, there are certain forms you need to bring with you when you arrive in the United States. If you don’t bring these forms, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the point of entry will issue you a Form I-515A, “Notice to Student or Exchange Visitor.” This form is a checklist that tells you what information is missing or incomplete and what your next steps should be.

If CBP issues you a Form I-515A, do you know what to do?

  • Tell your designated school official (DSO) that you have been given this form. He or she can help you submit the right information to complete this form.
  • You have 30 days from the date you enter the United States to submit correct paperwork to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) I-515A processing team.  You need to collect all of the required paperwork and send original documents to this address:

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

  • SEVP will process your documents and return the originals to your DSO. If you have submitted everything correctly, SEVP will also send a letter of approval and your Form I-94, “Arrival/Departure Record,” will have an extended departure date. Make sure you get these documents from your DSO for safe keeping.
  • Do you know how to avoid CBP issuing you a Form I-515A?

    Make sure all paperwork has all of the correct information.

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