Getting
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By MICHAEL GALLANT
our enrollment is confirmed, you’ve chosen your classes and your visa is in hand. But what happens after you get off the plane and prepare to formally enter the United States? For safety and security, the American government has established a set of port of entry procedures that visitors must go through upon arrival in the United States. The process is nearly always simple and speedy—and the right preparation can help make sure you pass through the airport with minimal delay. This article provides information from port of entry experts at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Attaché Office in the U.S. Embassy in India on how to make your
Donna Burton/ Courtesy CBP
Smart preparation can help Indian students smoothly navigate the port of entry procedures on arrival at U.S. airports.
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entry into the United States as smooth as possible.
Prepare, gather and backup your documents For Indian students entering the United States, important documents include a valid passport, the F-1 student visa and an approved Form I-20 A-B. It’s always a good idea to have both paper and digital copies of these documents as backup, in case something gets lost or stolen. But make sure to have the originals easily on hand when you arrive. Supporting documents can also be helpful. These can include the school admissions
