Arriving in the United States

1. Valid Passport
   • Make sure this passport is more than 6 month from expiration
2. Valid Visa stamp in your passport (*except for citizens of Canada*)
   • DO NOT ENTER THE USA on a B1/B2 Visa, you will not be permitted to register for courses if you enter on a B1/B2 Visa
3. Valid and signed I-20 (F Visa) or DS-2019 (J-Visa)
   • Do not forget to sign your I-20 or DS-2019
4. I-901 SEVIS Fee Receipt
5. Proof of Financial Support
   • Bring the documents you presented to the US Embassy or Consulate when you applied for your F or J Visa
6. Admission Letter from the University of Missouri - Saint Louis
7. Scholarship Letter (if applicable) from the University of Missouri - Saint Louis
8. Official Copies of all your transcripts and diplomas/degrees
9. Official Copies of your English Language Test Scores (TOEFL / IELTS)
10. Copies of your immunization / vaccination records in English
11. Debit or Credit Card
    • Make sure to notify the bank that you will be traveling before you leave your home country to make sure the card will work once you leave your country of origin.
12. Cash money in case you debit/credit card does not work during your travel
    • Exchange currency before you leave your home country and make sure you have a bit of US currency for small purchases in case your card does not work initially.
13. Mobile Phone that works internationally with available data. 
    1. Do not rely on WiFi access during your initial transit to the USA
14. Prescription Medication (if needed)
    • If you take a prescription medication, make sure to fill it BEFORE you leave your country as it can sometimes be difficult to get a new prescription filled immediately.
    • Make sure the prescription medicine is in a clearly marked prescription bottle with your name on it.
15. Contact Information for Emergencies During Transit 
    • Jessica Lynn Hylton, Ed.D
    • University of Missouri - Saint Louis, Director, Primary Designated School Official
    • 1 University Boulevard Saint Louis, MO 63121
    • Email:  JessicaHylton@umsl.edu
    • Phone, Text, & Whatsapp:  (+1)-314-435-2474
    • Phone During Business Hours Only:  (+1)-314-516-5798
    • UMSL Campus PD:  (+1)-314-516-5155

Entering the United States of America

• Make sure you have an onward ticket to Saint Louis from your Port of Entry Airport or you may be denied entry into the United States.
  • Please make sure your airline ticket goes through to Lambert Saint Louis International Airport. Airport Code: STL.
  • If you are arriving early and will be staying in another city for tourism or visiting, be prepared to answer CBP Officers questions about when and how you will get to Saint Louis, Missouri.
• Refer to this page for information on what to expect at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
• When you arrive to the United States you will meet a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the port of entry, who will verify your information and determine if you may enter the country.
• The USCBP Officer will ask you a few questions, be open, honest, and concise in your answers
• If the officer cannot initially verify your information, or if you do not have all of the required documentation, you may be directed 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, CBP strongly recommend that you have the name and telephone number of the designated school official (DSO) at your school on hand (found above).
  • If you arrive during non-business hours (evening, weekends, holidays), you should also have an emergency or non-business hour phone number available for this official (found above).
• Failure to comply with U.S. government entry-exit procedures may result in your being denied entry to the United States.
• 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. 
  • Work with UMSL without delay to submit the proper documentation required by the Form I-515A.
  • Failing to comply with a Form I-515A will result in the termination of your status. Read SEVP’s Form I-515A Noncompliance Termination procedure to ensure you understand how to properly respond and maintain your status.
• If the CBP officer admits you into the country, you will be issued an electronic Form I-94, “Arrival/Departure Record.”
  • This form shows that you have been legally admitted into the United States, the class of admission and your authorized period of stay.
  • It is very important that the information on the record is correct. Inconsistencies between the information on the Form I-94 and SEVIS records can reduce the chances of a successful systems interface and can result in denial of benefits or difficulty re-entering the country.
• Please view this video in preparation for your entry into the United States, Welcome to the United States
• When you leave the inspection area, make certain you have all of your immigration documents in your possession
• If CBP entry results in the missing of your connecting flight, please go immediately to the airlines desk to rebook your missed flight.