Essential documents, travel signatures, and more

With Fall 2022 just a couple of weeks away, it's time to prepare for take-off! 🛫 Read on for some important travel and arrival reminders for F-1 and J-1 visa holding students. Travel checklist: documents to carry If something goes wrong 🚨 Returning from a leave of absence or traveling to change status to F-1  Vaccination & Testing Requirements for Air-Travel to U.S. We're looking forward to seeing you all back on campus soon! As always, do not hesitate to reach out to us at ois@amherst.edu with any visa- or travel-related questions. Travel checklist: documents to carry For F-1 and J-1 visa holders, it is very important to carry the right documents and to keep them with you when entering the US.   Essential immigration documents to pack in your carry-on (and not your checked luggage!) are: Valid passport, with at least 6 months of validity* remaining *Countries listed on the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) Travel page have an agreement with the US that allows citizens to enter on a current passport up to the actual date of expiration. Valid F-1 or J-1 visa (in passport) Citizens of Canada and Bermuda passport are not required to have an F-1/J-1 visa—only the I-20/DS-2019 and valid passport is needed. I-20 or DS-2019 with valid travel signature less than 12 months old This document should be printed out and signed by you.  If you need a new travel signature, just email ois@amherst.edu! Recommended:  SEVIS I-901 fee receipt (printable from the I-901 fee website) Proof of funding (i.e. financial aid award, bank statements, etc.) Proof of enrollment (i.e. admissions offer, letter from Registrar, etc.) COVID-19-related: See Vaccination & Testing Requirements for Air-Travel to U.S. You can visit the OIS's Travel Checklist page anytime for up-to-date information and reminders. If something goes wrong 🚨  If you encounter any issues entering the US, reach out to the OIS: phone: +1-413-542-5971 whatsapp: +1-413-200-0864  If you do not have a phone, you may request that a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agent make a call for you.  The OIS is always happy to verify for a CBP official that you are a student of Amherst College and that we are expecting you.  This is rarely necessary, thankfully, but it is important that you know what to do if the unexpected happens. Returning from a leave of absence or traveling to change status to F-1  Are you returning to the US on a new, initial I-20 with a new SEVIS ID for the first time since taking a leave of absence?  Or, are you returning to the US after traveling to change status and obtain an F-1 visa for the first time?  Welcome back! Once you've returned to the US, don't forget to submit the OIS's  F-1/J-1 New Student Check-in Form. This form must be submitted before your new F-1 record can be "activated," which must occur within the first weeks of the semester.  If you have any questions, reach out or book an appointment to get answers! Vaccination & Testing Requirements for Air-Travel to U.S. COVID-19 Vaccination: Noncitizen travelers by air to the U.S. must present proof of full vaccination with an acceptable COVID-19 vaccine.   Visit the CDC's Requirement for Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination for Air Passengers page for more information. Amherst Collge requires all members of the community to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 (all doses in the primary series as well as one booster). COVID-19 Testing:  As of June 12, 2022, air travelers to the United States no longer need to show a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery before boarding, as annouced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  The CDC continues tor recommend that all travelers get tested for current infection with a viral test before and after they travel. Amherst College strongly encourages all students to test before traveling to campus.

Amherst College Office of Immigration Services (413) 542-5971 | ois@amherst.edu Unsubscribe #

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