After you arrive in America, there are three essential steps you must not forget to complete. Failing to do these may even result in the termination of your program, so it’s crucial to complete these tasks immediately upon arrival.
1. Fill Out the I-94 Form
You must fill out this form within 24 hours of landing in America. You can do this at kiosks in the airport or on the online web page. It’s a simple form where you’ll need to enter information such as your full name, passport number, nationality, date of entry into the country, and the type of visa you have. After filling out the form, you should print it out as it’s required for the SSN application. For more detailed information about this form, you can check out our article.
2. SEVIS (Sponsor Check-in)
When you log into the sponsor portal we’ve been using for you, you’ll see a red “Complete Arrival Check-in” notice. Clicking on this will take you to a page with simple information that you need to fill out. This must be done within the first three days; otherwise, your SEVIS and program may be cancelled. Similar to this check-in, there’s a Monthly Check-in that you must complete regularly every month throughout the duration of your program.
3. SSN Application
The SSN (Social Security Number) is required for legal employment. With this number, you can also find a second job opportunity. Students who have previously been to America and already have this number do not need to reapply. Your employers will guide you through the application process, but you must have the following documents with you:
• I-94 Form (printout to be carried with you)
• SEVIS payment receipt (found in the Edumaster files we provided)
• DS-2019 Form (found in the Edumaster files we provided)
• Passport