Travel Information

Travel Information

Basic Travel Documents

Checklist for Leaving and Returning to the U.S.

Traveling to Other Countries (Mexico and Canada)

Passport Photos

Basic Travel Documents

Before traveling outside of the U.S. please contact International Programs.

Passport:
Your passport is your own government's permit for you to leave and re-enter your own country. When you enter the United States your passport must be valid for a minimum of six months into the future. If your passport will expire during your time in the U.S. you must contact your Embassy for renewal procedures.

Visa:
A visa is used only for entry into the United States. It shows the latest dates on which you may enter this country. It does not show how long you can stay in the U.S.

Renewing your visa

It is necessary to renew your visa only if you plan to leave and re-enter the U.S. after your visa has expired. If it is necessary for you to renew your visa in order to re-enter the U.S., you may do so by going to a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country to which you are traveling. It is not possible to renew your visa while you are in the U.S.

If your visa will or has expired and you plan to travel outside the United States, contact the International Programs Office prior to your departure to make sure that you have proper documentation.

Form I-94 (Arrival-Departure Record)

The I-94 is given to you when you arrive in the U.S. and shows that you have been admitted lawfully and given status (F-1). It is usually stapled to the U.S. visa page in your passport and contains an 11-digit ADMISSION NUMBER. The BCIS uses this number to keep track of your U.S. arrivals and departures. The D/S written on your I-94 means "duration of status". You are allowed to remain in the USA as long as you are following the regulations of your status (F-1). It is important that your I-94 remains in your passport at all times.

Form I-20 ID

The I-20 is verification that you have been accepted to attend a school in the Unted States and you have been entered into the SEVIS Immigration system. The third page allows for endorsements of re-entry or work authorization. Before traveling make sure the third page of your I-20 has been signed during each school year. It is important for you to be aware of the completion date listed on page 1 number 5. The date written on number 5 is the deadline for completing your program. See the Director of International Programs before it expires if you need to extend your program.

I-901 Receipt (SEVIS Fee)

This form is only required for students who enter the U.S.A. to study for their first time. Students who transfer between U.S. schools while maintaining their immigration status do not need to complete this form or pay this fee. For information on this SEVIS fee please click here.

Proof of Finances

Usually this is only needed when you apply for a VISA, however, immigration always has the right to ask for proof of finances at the U.S. port of entry. It is your responsiblity to show immigration or the Embassy your ability to pay for your education. Possible documents to carry might be recent bank statements, statement of your financial aid, statement from Graceland University Accounting Services stating your balance, bank drafts for the amount that you will owe Graceland, etc.

Acceptance or Enrollment Verification

Initial students will need to carry their acceptance letter when entering the country. Some students may wish to carry enrollment verification letters which may be submitted at InfoCentral in Patroness Hall. Most students choose to carry their class schedule showing full time enrollment for the current or upcoming semester. These documents are not commonly requested at the port of entry but are often requested when applying for a VISA.

Checklist for Leaving and Returning to the U.S.

Confirm that your passport and visa are valid. Passport must be valid 6 months into future of the date returning to USA.
Request signature of International Programs on page 3 of I-20. Must be signed within the last 6-12 months of re-entering USA. Please allow one week for this service.
Request certification letter from the Office of International Programs, stating that you are currently a full time student at Graceland and your anticipated graduation date. (recommended but not required if applying for visa).
Carry current proof of financial support when you return to USA or if you are applying for a visa. You may need to get a statement from Financial Aid of your scholarship package and a statement that shows what you will owe for the next term.
Print your registration schedule for the current and/or upcoming academic term. (Recommended but not required)
Take all of the above documents, and I-20 and I-94 card, with you when you leave.
Make an appointment with International Programs at least one week prior to leaving if you will be renewing your F-1 visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad or if you have any other questions or concerns regarding traveling on F-1 status.
If traveling at the end of semesters, make sure you know your final exam schedule prior to making flight arrangements. Professors will not let you change the exam time for travel arrangements.
Know when you may return to campus before making flight and other arrangements. Students are permitted into the residence halls at specifically posted times after each break. At the beginning of the fall semester students are allowed back on specific days. Please refer to the Graceland Website and the Residence Life Office for questions.
The Shuttle Service is only offered during official breaks of the university or when various student classifications are permitted to return in the fall (i.e. student leaders, athletes, new students, and returning students have different times they are permitted to reside on-campus.

Traveling to Other Countries (Mexico and Canada)

Many students ask about going to Canada and Mexico. There are different requirements for entering these countries. Please make sure you check with International Programs prior to traveling. Depending on your citizenship you may have waiting periods to receive a tourist visa. Plan early. The Canadian Consulate General of Detroit handles our regions visa.

For the Mexican Embassy click Here

Visas for other countries

Passport Photos

Passport photos can be taken at the Creative Media Center (CMC) in the basement of Zimmerman Hall. Contact the photographer at 5141 to make arrangements.