Understanding Your Immigration Documents

Your passport issued by your country of citizenship establishes your identity. Your name, date of birth and sex on your SEVIS record and all of your immigration documents must match the data on your passport. If the information in your passport is not accurate or changes, you must contact the ISSO to update your records and request new immigration documents.

Validity/Expiration

We recommend that your passport be valid for as long as possible into the future, but it should always be valid at least six months beyond any anticipated date(s) of entry to the U.S.

Renewal

Passport renewal procedures and timelines will vary depending on your country of citizenship. You can try to renew from inside the U.S. by contacting your country’s embassy or consulate. In some cases, you may only be able to renew from your home country so plan according to make sure your passport is valid at all times while you are in the U.S.

Purpose:

A U.S. entry visa allows you to travel to a U.S. port of entry and request admission or entry in a particular nonimmigrant category. This category should reflect your primary nonimmigrant intent or activities in the U.S. The entry visa only needs to be valid when you are physically entering the U.S. and often expires while you are here.

Think of your entry visa as a “movie ticket”: You need it to get into the theater (the U.S.), but you don’t need it once you are inside. However, if you leave to get “popcorn” (travel abroad), you’ll need a valid ticket (entry visa) to get back in.

Your entry visa does not determine how long you can stay in the U.S.; other documents: your I-94 arrival record and other immigration documents (your I-20, DS-2019, EAD or I-797 etc.) handle that. If your nonimmigrant intent or activities change while you are inside the U.S., you will need to seek a change of status from USCIS. Canadian citizens are exempt from needing a U.S. entry visa but must present all other status specific immigration documents at a U.S. port of entry to request admission to the U.S. in a particular nonimmigrant category.

Expiration & Renewal

• While in the U.S.: An expired visa is not a problem as long as you remain the U.S. and continue to maintain your valid nonimmigrant status.
• Traveling Abroad: You cannot renew your entry visa from within the U.S. If you leave the U.S. with an expired visa, you must apply for a new entry visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad before you can return.
• Exception: In very specific cases, you may be eligible for automatic visa revalidation for short trips to neighboring territories and return to the U.S. with an expired entry visa.

Visa Revocation

On rare occasions, the Department of State may revoke a visa without warning (usually due to legal or criminal issues).

• Notification: USDOS will likely email you directly to the email you reported during your visa application to alert you to the visa revocation; they do NOT notify BU or the ISSO.
• Action Required: : If your visa is revoked, contact your ISSO advisor and/or an immigration attorney immediately. International travel should be avoided as it may be difficult to obtain a new entry visa after a visa revocation.

Pro Tip: Keep a close eye on your visa expiration date if you have international travel plans. Check the Travel & Visas section for more detailed guidance!

I-20 for F-1 student status

This form reflects biographical details about you (and your dependent family members- if applicable) as well as information about your academic program in SEVIS. You will receive updated I-20s when your program changes, if you need additional time or, if you are approved or recommended for certain employment authorizations. You should keep a copy of ALL of your I-20s for your records.

• Your unique SEVIS ID number will appear in the upper right corner of the document
• You should pay close attention to the start and end dates on this form
• Your major and minor fields of study will be listed as a U.S. Department of Education CIP code (e.g. 00.0000) and description that best matches your BU program.

DS-2019 for J-1 student or scholar exchange visitor status

This form reflects biographical details about you (and your dependent family members- if applicable) as well as information about your academic program in SEVIS as a student or your BU affiliation as a scholar. You will receive updated DS-2019s when your academic program or affiliation changes, if you need additional time or, if you are approved or recommended for certain employment authorizations. You should keep a copy of ALL of your DS-2019s for your records.

I-797 Approval Notice (H-1B or O-1)

The I-797 confirms your H-1B or O-1 approval, showing your classification, approved dates, and the petitioning employer (usually BU). If your BU appointment changes, an amended H-1B petition may be needed—consult ISSO before making substantive changes. For employment extensions, ISSO will file a new petition on your behalf.

Employment Authorization Document (EAD)

If eligible, you may apply for an EAD to obtain employment authorization. It shows the basis for approval (e.g., F-1 OPT, J-2) and the authorized work dates.

I-94 Arrival Record

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) officer at a U.S. port of entry will review your passport, entry visa, and immigration document and decide if you are eligible to be admitted to the U.S. and under which nonimmigrant category. Your entry date, immigration classification and expiration date will be reflected on your electronic I-94 arrival record. It is critical that you verify the details of your I-94 arrival record online each time you enter the U.S. to ensure accuracy.

While most nonimmigrant categories have a fixed expiration date on their I-94 arrival record, F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors and their F-2 and J-2 dependent family members (if applicable) are granted a flexible end date of D/S = duration of status. Individuals with D/S expiration date typically change or extend that date by working with their ISSO advisor to extend their SEVIS record.

Keep your immigration documents secure. If lost, stolen, or damaged, follow these steps:

• Passport: Contact your embassy/consulate in the U.S. for replacement. If stolen, file a police report with BU Police and submit it to your embassy/consulate. After replacement, submit a copy of your new passport to the ISSO through the ISSOPortal by completing the Upload Document request.
• U.S. Entry Visa: An entry visa is not reissued with a new passport. Since the purpose of an entry visa is to allow entry to the U.S., it is not problematic if you do not have a valid entry visa in your new passport. However, the next time you depart the U.S., you will need to make arrangements to apply for a new visa prior to returning to the U.S.
• I-94 Arrival Record: You can, and should, view your arrival to the U.S. at www.cbp.gov/I94 after each entry to the U.S. If unavailable, contact your ISSO advisor for assistance.
• I-20 or DS-2019 (F-1 student or J-1 exchange visitor status): ISSO can issue replacement documents for you and your F-2/J-2 dependents upon request. Additionally, you may find electronic copies of your past documents in your ISSOPortal. These can be re-printed. If another institution issued your form, contact them directly to request replacement.
• Employment Authorization Document (EAD): You may apply for a replacement through USCIS.