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Entering the U.S. - Important Documents

When you enter the U.S. with the Work & Travel USA Program, you are under the status of a "J-1 Exchange Visitor." This gives you the right to work legally in the U.S. under the terms of the program. When coming through immigration at the airport, you will need to show the following documents to the Immigration Officer:

  • DS-2019 form (issued by CIEE as your legal sponsor)
  • Passport with J-1 Visa (except for Canadian students)
  • I-94 card (This is the white card which you will receive on the airplane; this is a U.S. Government entry document). Do not use the green visa waiver card! Save this card; it is vital when applying for Social Security!
  • Employment Offer Agreement Form (EOAF)
  • Form 1-797, SEVIS Receipt Fee

Travel Tip

Carry your travel documents with you on the plane. You will not have access to any checked baggage until after you clear immigration! You can view these important documents by clicking here.

There are new US entry procedures that apply to anyone not holding a US passport. These new procedures are in place for further security and will not delay your entry to the country in any way. However, it is important to know that you will be fingerprinted and digitally photographed upon your entry to the US. Please do not be alarmed by these measures, as they are part of airport safety regulations.

Click below for more information on your travel documents.



 
DS-2019

DS-2019 is the official U.S. Government document which allows you to work legally in the U.S. The DS-2019 form is a "Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status" from the U.S. Government. It officially identifies CIEE as your program sponsor, describes the purpose of the program, and lists the exact period during which you are allowed to work. Without a DS-2019 form, you are not able to apply for a social security card and therefore cannot work. Upon acceptance to the program, you will be issued a DS-2019 form by CIEE.

You can view this documents by clicking here
J-1 Visa

When you apply for the J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa, you will present your DS-2019 at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country, along with your passport and other visa application forms. The J-1 visa will be placed in your passport. The J-1 visa with a valid DS-2019 form allows you entry to the U.S. as a WAT participant. You must show these documents to be in legal J-1 status. You cannot request J-1 status after arriving. Your J-1 visa is valid for a period of 4 months and cannot be extended.

You can view this documents by clicking here
I-94 Card

While you are on board the airplane en route to the U.S. you will be given an I-94 card (a small white card also known as the Arrival/Departure record). Please make sure that you can read the entire number on your I-94 card because it is crucial for your social security application. Please note that you should not fill out a green visa waiver form.

You must keep this I-94 card in your passport at all times and will need it to apply for your social security card as well as when you exit the U.S. This document is almost impossible to get replaced without exiting the U.S., so keep it safe!

You can view this documents by clicking here