Required Documentation
Understanding your immigration documents is very important for maintaining your legal status as an international student in the United States.
Passport
You must ensure that your passport never expires. If you need to renew your passport contact your Embassy or Consulate and allow plenty of time for processing. International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) can provide contact information for your country’s Embassy or Consulate. For more information about passport laws, see the US Department of State.
Form I-94
Form I-94 is a small white card stapled to your passport upon entry into the US. It contains important information including how long you have permission to stay in the United States. For F-1 students this is identified as “D/S“ Duration of Status. Your I-94 Card also contains your Admission Number, known also as your I-94 number. You need to provide this number when checking in at ISSS.
If your I-94 Card has been lost or stolen, notify ISSS immediately.
Visa
Your visa gives you permission to enter the US and is the only immigration document that is allowed to expire while you are here. It does not indicate how long you may stay in the U.S. (see your I-94 or I-20 for this information). You cannot obtain a new visa while in the US. If you have an expired visa and plan to travel outside the US, you need to contact ISSS before you leave.
I-20 Certificate of Eligibility
This document is issued for you by PSU and proves your eligibility for F-1 status. You must ensure that it is accurate at all times as it contains important information and is a record of your immigration status. If any information on this form changes you must obtain a new I-20 from ISSS. It is advisable to keep every I-20 you are ever issued.
If your I-20 is ever lost or stolen, notify ISSS immediately.
Financial Support Documents
These documents demonstrate your ability to finance your education. They may be bank statements, letters of assistantship, scholarship, fellowship, or another proof of funding. You are required to provide financial support documents by law. If a family member or other individual is sponsoring your education, that person should submit their own bank statements along with a letter indicating that they are willing to pay for your education.