Passport

The passport is a formal permit to travel abroad and return to the issuing country. With few exceptions, it is issued by one's country of citizenship. It is the foreign national's responsibility to extend or replace his or her passport when it expires. Information on renewing passports is available from each country's consulate in New York City or embassy in Washington, D.C. Upon entry to the U.S., an individual's passport should always be valid at least six months into the future. All immigration forms should be completed with one's name as it appears in one's passport.

Form DS-2019: Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status

The form DS-2019 is a U.S. Department of State document issued by an authorized educational or cultural institution to enable eligible individuals to obtain exchange visitor (J-1) status. Exchange visitors may remain in the U.S. for the duration of their status, i.e., until the end date shown in #3 of the DS-2019 PLUS a 30-day grace period during which they may prepare to leave or travel within the U.S. During the 30-day grace period, they are NOT allowed to work for wages, or leave and return to the U.S. Dependent family members in J-2 status are each issued their own DS-2019 forms. Individuals should retain all original DS-2019 forms for travel purposes and for their own records.

Form I-797: Multi-purpose Form or Approval for Temporary Worker (H1-B) or Alien of Extraordinary Ability (O-1) Status

The form I-797 is a multi-purpose form issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS). Most commonly it is used as a receipt notice or an approval notice related to an application submitted to CIS. An I-797 that serves as an approval notice may or may not include an original I-94 card on the bottom quarter of the page. I-94 cards are generally included when the application requested an extension or change of status. Individuals should retain the original I-797 form for travel purposes and for their own records.

Form I-20: Certificate of Eligibility for Student (F-1) Status

The form I-20 is a certificate of eligibility issued by an authorized educational or cultural institution to enable eligible individuals to obtain an F-1 student visa or to apply for F-1 student status. Individuals should retain all original I-20 forms for travel purposes and for their own records.

Visa

The visa is a stamp placed in the passport to allow an individual to enter a particular country, such as the U.S. The visa indicates the purpose of someone's visit. It is valid for a specified number of entries to the U.S: one, two, or "multiple," i.e., any number, until the expiration date. The validity period of a visa stamp pertains only to the period during which it may be used for admission to the U.S. - it does not indicate how long a person may stay in the US. Visas are issued only by U.S. embassies and consulates outside the U.S.

Form I-94 (I-94 card)

The I-94 is a small white card (Arrival/Departure record) which all nonimmigrants complete at their port of entry to the U.S. and which an immigration officer validates and staples into their passport. This is a very important document as it indicates the visa classification they are given upon entry to the U.S. and the length of time they may stay. The I-94 card is stamped in red with the date of entry to the U.S. An immigration inspector hand writes the visa classification and date until which a nonimmigrant can stay. No date certain is written for J-1 and J-2 exchange visitors; instead "D/S" is written indicating they can remain for the Duration of their Status as indicated on Form DS-2019. In most cases, the I-94 card is taken from the passport upon departure from the U.S. A new one is issued upon re-entry.

Employment Authorization Document (EAD Card)

The Employment Authorization Document or "EAD Card" is a photo ID card issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to nonimmigrants and grants employment authorization for specific periods of time.

Permanent Residence Card (Form I-551)

The Permanent Resident Card, commonly known as a "green card," is evidence of one's legal permanent resident status in the U.S. When a foreign national is first granted permanent residence, whether outside or inside the U.S., before the Permanent Residence Card is actually issued, the passport is stamped as temporary evidence of legal permanent residence status.