Entering the United States

All new students are required to attend the Welcome Trojans Orientation. Students who cannot enter the United States in time for the orientation due to visa delays should contact the Orientation Programs office and their academic department to alert them of the delay.

There is no regulatory grace period for late arrivals to the United States. Entry to the United States after the program start date is not guaranteed and is at the discretion of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer at the airport. 

If a student’s academic department supports a late arrival, it should be no more than one week after the semester start date listed on the student’s Form I-20 or DS-2019. The student must be enrolled full time for that semester.

Students who expect to arrive more than one week late must work with their academic department and the admissions office to defer their attendance to the following semester. The USC Graduate Admissions office will then assist both undergraduate and graduate students in obtaining an updated Form I-20 or DS-2019.

Students who cannot enter the United States by the program start date listed on their Form I-20 or DS-2019 must contact their academic department to request a late entry support letter, which must be presented at the U.S. Port of Entry. A late-entry support letter does not guarantee entry to the United States, as students are expected to arrive by the program start date listed on their Form I-20 or DS-2019.

If the academic department can accommodate the student despite the late arrival, it should issue a late entry support letter that includes the following:

• Date the letter is issued
• Addressed to U.S. Customs and Border Protection
• Student’s full name
• USC ID
• Date of birth
• A statement indicating that the academic department is aware of the student’s late arrival, that the student should arrive no later than MM/DD/YYYY (one week from the start of classes), and that a full course load will be offered upon arrival. 
• Academic department contact information in case the U.S. Port of Entry officer has follow-up questions about the student’s academic program.

The letter should be issued on the academic department letterhead and signed by the academic adviser or program director.

F-1 and J-1 students and scholars must present these immigration documents at the port of entry to establish their admissibility to the United States.

During a primary immigration inspection, a CBP officer will: 

• Review your immigration documents, including your passport, visa and Form I-20 or DS-2019. 
• Verify your identity and nationality.
• Ask about your reason for entering the United States, your academic program and your travel history.
• Take your fingerprints and photograph.

To ensure a smooth entry process, we recommend that you:

• Keep all required documents organized and easily accessible.
• Remain calm and polite when speaking to CBP officers and provide clear, concise and truthful answers.
• Avoid jokes or misleading statements.
• Do not travel with marijuana or other recreational drugs. Even though some recreational drugs are legal in California, they still remain illegal under federal law. Since all U.S. ports of entry operate under federal jurisdiction, possessing, transporting or admitting past use of marijuana can result in denial of entry or other immigration consequences.

If additional information is needed, you may be sent for secondary inspection, where CBP officers conduct further questioning and review your documents. Secondary inspection can occur at random or when a CBP officer has concerns about your admissibility. It allows officers to verify information without delaying other travelers. 

During secondary inspection, CBP officers may: 

• Ask detailed questions about your travel plans, immigration history, previous employment in the United States and/or prior drug use.
• Inquire about proof of financial ability to support yourself during your stay in the United States.
• Request proof of enrollment and/or information about your academic program to verify that you have previously maintained F or J status.
• Review any interactions with law enforcement, including arrests or DUIs.
• Conduct a thorough search of you and your belongings, including electronic devices.
• Request passwords or access to locked electronic devices to review laptop files, phone data and social media accounts.
• Make copies of information stored on your devices.

Refusing to provide CBP officers access to your electronic devices could result in your device being detained for further examination and may lead to a determination of inadmissibility.

CBP officers have broad authority to: 

• Search luggage and personal belongings without a warrant.
• Question individuals to determine their eligibility to enter the United States.
• Inspect electronic devices, including reviewing messages, emails and social media activity.
• Make admissibility determinations.

Biometrics, including digital photographs and inkless fingerprints, will be collected at the U.S. Port of Entry to verify the identity of the foreign national entering the United States. More details about biometrics are available on the U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (US-VISIT) webpage.

After clearing customs, students should proceed to the baggage claim area to collect their luggage. If the luggage is not on the carousel or if it is marked, students should inform the airline service kiosk in the baggage claim area.

If the luggage is marked, it may be necessary to meet with U.S. Customs and Border Protection or U.S. Department of Agriculture officials. They may ask about the bags’ contents or ask to open them. Students should follow the officials’ instructions and answer their questions honestly and politely. 

Please note that the penalty for carrying contraband is high and may result in deportation.

If you experience issues at the port of entry, please contact OIS via the askOIS contact form.

Students experiencing a true emergency at the U.S. Port of Entry can call the USC Department of Public Safety (DPS) at 213-740-6000 any time, day or night.

Students detained by U.S. immigration officials at an airport, seaport or land border port of entry may also call the USC Gould School of Law Immigration Clinic’s emergency hotline at 213-740-7435. Leave a detailed message including:

1. Name
2. Date of birth
3. Nationality
4. Current location
5. Airline and flight number
6. Phone number
7. Email address

A representative from the immigration clinic will provide guidance. 

The USC Gould School of Law Immigration Clinic only assists students detained by U.S. immigration officials. Please do not contact the immigration clinic for other OIS- or immigration-related matters.

Students should visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website and search for their I-94 record using their name as it appears on their visa stamp page. 

Since Canadian students do not have a visa stamp page, they should enter their name as it appears on the passport’s biographical page. 

The name on the I-94 is generated from the information on the visa stamp. If First Name Unknown (FNU) is listed as the given name on the visa stamp, it will appear on the I-94; if FNU is not indicated, it will not appear on the I-94.