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Arrival to the U.S.

U.S. immigration regulations state that new students entering on an F-1 student visa will only be eligible to enter the U.S. thirty calendar days or less prior to the beginning of the program date or start date, as given on the SEVIS I-20.

 

Most new international students generally arrive at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), about a 60 minutes drive from IAU. For most students, it will be their Port of Entry (POE), the first entry point into the U.S. as a legal non-immigrant.

All newly admitted F-1 students must check-in in-person with IAU’s Designated School Official (DSO) within 10 days of arrival to the U.S. All F-1 students are required to attend the new student orientation (NSO). Failure to check-in in-person with IAU’s DSO within 10 days of arrival to the U.S. will result in the termination of your SEVIS record.

Upon arrival to the U.S.

On the aircraft, prior to landing, the flight attendant will distribute customs declaration forms and U.S. Customs and Border Protection forms. One important form is the I-94 arrival/departure document.

Important reminders when filling out I-94 document:

  1. Print clearly, with one letter in each space
  2. Date of Birth is in order of MONTH, DAY, YEAR
  3. Any mistakes will result in a correction procedure that is quite time consuming. Minor mistakes can cause major delays with certain applications that may be filed upon arriving on campus so please be attentive and careful when filling out the I-94 document.

Upon arrival, students will present their:

  1. Passport and Visa
  2. I-20
  3. I-94 document

Register at IAU

Step 1 - Check In Form

Check in Form  Arriving students are required to fill out a check-in form after arrival in the US.  Please email the admissions department at [email protected] to request the check-in form.  The check in form will require the following information

  • U.S. address – It is IAU’s policy that students who live outside of California at the time of application must submit a new California address.
  • U.S. telephone number 
  • VISA – If you did not submit the scanned copy of your VISA prior, please submit the copy of your VISA. 
  • Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record: Please submit your Form I-94 Arrival/ Departure Record reflecting your most recent entry into the U.S. 
  • Signed enrollment agreement: Please submit your enrollment agreement initialed, signed, and dated

Step 2 - Reporting and Registration Appointment

Reporting: Please report to a DSO within 10 days of your arrival by scheduling an appointment with our Student Support team to register for classes. Please email [email protected] to make an appointment.

Registration Appointment: Please discuss your academic planning and class schedule with your academic advisor and register for classes.

Step 3 - Tuition Planner

Tuition Planner: Please contact the Office of Student Finance at [email protected] after you have registered for courses to create your tuition planner and discuss your tuition in detail. 

Step 4 - New Student Orientation (NSO)

Attendance at the New Student Orientation (NSO) is mandatory for all new students, including returning IAU students.

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