Below you will find some common immigration-related terms and acronyms used frequently. We strongly recommend that you familiarize yourself with these terms and their definitions. If you need more clarification, please email us at international@cwc.edu.

CBP

Customs and Border Protection (CBP): The CBP is the US government law enforcement agency responsible for the oversight of national border security. When you travel to the US and request entry at an airport or other border crossings, a CBP officer will examine your documents for entry.

DHS

Department of Homeland Security (DHS): The DHS is the US government agency responsible for the oversight of national security. The DHS oversees several other government offices including Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

EAD Card

Employment Authorization Document (EAD or EAD Card): An EAD is a card that provides evidence of authorization for employment. You would receive an EAD card if, for example, you are an F-1 student who applied for and was granted Optional Practical Training (OPT) for off-campus employment.

A sample EAD card can be found on the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website.

Entry Stamp

Entry Stamp: An entry or passport stamp is the stamp that you receive when you are permitted entrance into a country. It typically includes information about your Port of Entry (POE), the date of your entry, the visa status under which you were granted entry, and the length of time you are permitted to stay. For an F-1 student, for example, the entry stamp should include the notations "F-1" and "D/S" ("Duration of Status").

An example of an F-1 student entry stamp is provided below.

Grace Period

Grace Period: Your grace period is the length of time that you are permitted to remain in the US and prepare for your departure or a change of immigration status at the end of your program or other change in your current status. The allowed grace period can differ depending on your individual circumstances, so please consult with the International Student Services if you are unsure about which grace period applies to you.

I-20

Form I-20: The I-20, also called the "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status," is the primary document required for individuals applying for an F-1 nonimmigrant student visa and for current F-1 students to provide proof of their current student status. The form is issued by the institution in which you are enrolling/enrolled and will outline important personal details, program information, and relevant immigration regulations.

A sample I-20 form can be found on Study in the States, a helpful international student resource site maintained by the Department of Homeland Security.

I-515A

Form I-515A: The Form I-515A, also called a "Notice to Student or Exchange Visitor," is a form that may be issued to you at the discretion of a CBP officer upon requesting reentry without all of the proper documents for your visa status. Rather than deny your entry, the officer may issue this form to you which allows you conditional reentry to the US for a period of 30 days. During that 30 day period, you must resolve the issues documented on the I-515A. Failure to comply with the requirement could result in the termination of your SEVIS record and thus also your status. If you receive a Form I-515A, please contact the International Student Services immediately for guidance.

An example of a blank I-515A can be found on the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) website.

I-901 Fee (SEVIS Fee)

I-901 Fee: The I-901 fee, also called the SEVIS fee, is a fee that you must pay prior to applying for an F, M, or J visa. Please note that this is separate from the visa application fee. It can be paid online via the FMJFee website.

I-94

I-94 Record: Your I-94 is your US arrivals and departures record. It can be accessed online via the I-94 website and provides additional proof of your legal entry into the US or proof of your exit date. Each time you travel in or out of the US, it's important to make sure that your information is correctly reflected on your I-94. If you find that your I-94 is incorrect, please contact the International Student Services and we will help you get it corrected.

An example of what an I-94 for an F-1 student might look like is provided below.

ICE

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): ICE is the US government agency with oversight over the enforcement of federal laws pertaining to immigration, customs, border security, etc.

Passport Bio Page

Passport Biographical Page (Bio Page): The "bio page" in your passport is the primary page of your passport. It typically provides key information such as your full name, date of birth, and citizenship information. See an example of a passport bio page.

POE

POE (Port of Entry): Your POE is the specific location through which you entered the country. It could be, for example, a particular airport or a land border crossing.

SEVIS

Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS): SEVIS is a web-based US government database that maintains critical information about nonimmigrant students and exchange visitors. Your host institution is responsible for providing certain personal and program details to the government via the SEVIS system. This information can also be viewed by select other government agencies.

SEVP

Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP): SEVP is a program through the US Department of Homeland Security that oversees the SEVIS system and acts as a liaison between host institutions and relevant government agencies.

USCIS

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): USCIS is the branch of the Department of Homeland Security that oversees petitions and applications pertaining to US citizenship and naturalization, certain types of visa categories (such as H-1B), and employment authorization. This is the government office through which you would apply for OPT and an EAD card, for example.

Visa Stamp

Visa Stamp: A visa "stamp" (not to be confused with an entry stamp) is a special document affixed to a page in your passport and is issued by the embassy or consulate through which you applied for your visa. A visa stamp functions as a travel document and permits your entry or reentry into the US (provided that it is unexpired and you are maintaining your relevant visa status). See an example of a US-style visa.