When you arrive at a U.S. Port of Entry, you will need to go through Primary Inspection, where a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will ask to see your documentation as well as ask you some questions about your visit to the United States. We have compiled a list of documents to carry with you, some common questions that students may be asked, as well as some additional information to keep in mind.
Documentation to carry with you:
Required:
• Current Passport
• Valid F-1 visa
• Initial I-20 (If you are an F-1 transfer student, travel signature from International Student Office
required on page 2)
Recommended:
• Acceptance Letter
• Proof of I-901 fee payment
• Financial Documents used to obtain I-20 / Proof of tuition payment
• Proof of living accommodations, even if temporary
• Class Schedule
Questions you may be asked:
What is the purpose of your visit to the United States?
• Your main purpose as an F-1 student is to pursue a degree program.
What is your visa type?
• F-1 student visa. CPT and OPT are not visa statuses.
Have you visited the United States before?
• You should share information about any previous visits to the United States. You may be asked to provide
additional details, such as the purpose of your previous visit(s), the duration of stay, etc.
How long do you plan to stay in the United States? What is your plan after completing your degree?
• When you are admitted to the United States on an F-1 visa, you are admitted to stay for the
duration of your academic program.
• You should plan to return home after completing your program, unless you wish to participate
in OPT (Optional Practical Training), which is a post-graduation work benefit.
Where will you stay during your time in the United States?
• Be prepared to answer questions about your accommodation and who you will be living with. If
you are not planning on living within commuting distance to Harrisburg University, please be
ready to explain how students are not required to live in Pennsylvania due to the executive
format of the Master’s and Doctoral program.
Do you have any relatives or friends in the U.S?
• Be prepared to answer questions about family members or friends who are in the United States
and state where specifically they are located, etc.
What is your major or program of study?
• You should be prepared to share which program you will pursue. You may be asked why you
chose this program, or what career you plan to pursue that requires this degree.
How will you finance your educational and living expenses?
• We recommend that you bring copies of the financial documents used to obtain your I-20 to
show that you have the means to support yourself during your stay in the United States.
• Since your main purpose as an F-1 student in the United States is to pursue a degree program,
it may not be acceptable to depend on CPT (Curricular Practical Training) as your source of funding.
• Please remember that the F-1 visa process requires students to demonstrate that they have the
financial capability to study and live in the U.S. without depending on working in the US.
Are you registered for classes? Which classes?
• We recommend that students register for classes before departing to the U.S. Please carry a
printed copy of your course schedule with you. Familiarize yourself with the course names you
are registered for and the format of instruction (i.e., 1 executive/in-person class which meets on X
dates and 1 online class).
Have you paid your tuition fees?
• Tuition payment is due generally one week prior to the beginning of the semester. We
recommend that you carry proof of payment with you.
If you arrive at an airport outside of PA, how are you attending classes in person?
• Explain that you need to travel to campus for three executive format in-person sessions per
semester.
• The Master of Science degree programs offered by Harrisburg University use an Executive
Format weekend delivery model that does not require the student to live within commuting
distance to the University. A student schedules their own transportation for specific weekend
visits (see Student Course Schedule) to Harrisburg, PA, regardless of their residential location
within the U.S.
Why are you arriving on a weekend at night/early morning when the school is closed?
• Explain the reasoning as to why you chose to arrive at your destination during that particular
time. Please note: F-1 students are allowed to arrive to the US at any time as long as it is within
30 days of the program start date.
If you are directed to secondary inspection:
• If you are unable to answer a question, or the CBP officer is unable to verify your information
during the primary inspection, you may be directed to Secondary Inspection.
• The CBP officer will have access to contact information for a Harrisburg University DSO
(Designated School Official). You can ask them to call to verify your student information at any
time, even outside of business hours.
If you are missing a travel document or your F-1 record needs to be updated, the CBP officer may issue a Form I- 515A, which grants you entry to the United States for 30 days until you correct the issue.
Additional information to note:
• As a reminder, having an F-1 visa does not guarantee entry into the US. It is always at the
discretion of the CBP Officer.
• Be sure to have your documents printed out and easily accessible. Do not pack them in your
luggage.
• It is recommended to register for classes prior to entering the U.S.
• Once you are granted entry to the United States, always check your Electronic I-94 Record
(Arrival Record) to ensure your information was recorded accurately.
• When you are granted entry to the United States on an F-1 visa, you are only temporarily
admitted. You should be able to demonstrate that you still have ties to your home country and
that you do not plan to permanently immigrate to the US.
• CPT, OPT, and other work authorizations are not a visa status, but a benefit of the F-1 visa. The
primary purpose of the F-1 visa is to be a student.