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Travel Information:
What is The Visa Stamp in your Passport?
The visa stamp placed in your passport by a U.S. Embassy/Consulate shows the
period during which you may enter the United States. If the date on the visa stamp
expires while you are in the U.S., it need not be renewed until after you leave
the country and wish to return again, provided that you maintain your
legal status throughout your entire stay in the U.S. This means that you must possess
a valid visa document at all times (i.e. Form DS-2019, Form I-797, Form I-20, TN
Visa Stamp, Employment Authorization Document, etc.). A visa document is only valid
if you meet the requirements of that visa category by maintaining full-time status
or if you're a scholar maintaining your affiliation with Tufts, etc.
The I-94 Card (Arrival/Departure form)
When you enter the U.S. on a non-immigrant visa status (J-1, F-1, H-1, O-1,
TN, etc.) you are issued an I-94 card at the port of entry. This card is also known
as the Arrival/Departure form. It is a small white card usually stapled to your
passport. The card displays the port of entry, visa type, and date of arrival. The
I-94 card for certain visa types (i.e., F-1 or J-1) typically has a "D/S" written
on it. D/S stands for Duration of Status. The I-94 card may also have a date on
it. The date usually corresponds to the expiration date of your visa document. Sometimes,
however, the Immigration Inspector at the Port of Entry may write in a date shorter
than your intended stay if he/she feels that you did not provide appropriate or
complete visa documentation. It is very important that you always review what
is written on your I-94 card at each entry to the U.S. If you are on F-1 or
J-1 status, and anything other than D/S is written on your I-94 card, you must contact
the International Center immediately. If you are on another visa status and you
find that the date that is written on your I-94 card is different than the completion
date on your visa document, please contact the International Center as well. When
you depart the U.S., you will need to give the I-94 card to the airport official.
You will be given a new card upon re-entering the U.S. It is advisable that you
provide the International Center with a copy of the I-94 card every time you re-enter
the U.S. It is usually not necessary to relinquish your I-94 card if you are traveling
to Canada, Mexico or any other contiguous territory for a period of less than 30
days.
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