Form I-94
The Form I-94 is a very important document, as it is the official record of a student’s lawful arrival into and departure from the United States. It is also the immigration document showing the status of an individual who has entered the country. Once an F-1 or J-1 student arrives in the United States, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will create an electronic I-94 record for the individual, which will show the details of the entry, and “D/S” for “Duration of Status,” indicating lawful admittance to the United States for the duration of the student’s F-1 or J-1 non-immigrant status. Print your I-94 after arriving in the United States. You should do this each time you re-enter the United States.
Form I-20
This document is your Certificate of Eligibility for F-1 status. It is used for entry into the United States, to record work authorization and to provide practical training and transfer approval, among other things. Keep this form with your passport, and do not surrender it when leaving the United States. Your SEVIS ID is located in the upper left-hand corner of your I-20. It is a 10-digit number beginning with an N.
DS-2019
This document is your Certificate of Eligibility for J-1 status and is also used for entry to the United States and to record academic training. Keep this with your passport, and do not surrender it when leaving the United States. Your SEVIS ID is located in the upper right-hand corner of your DS-2019. It is a 10-digit number beginning with an N.
You should keep copies of all I-20s and DS-2019s issued to you; they become a part of your permanent record.