General Information
Passport
A passport is a document issued by your country to allow you to travel outside of your country. Your passport must be valid for six months into the future.
Visa
A visa is a stamp put into your passport by the country you wish to visit. You received a student (F-1) visa from the U.S. government. The visa only allows you to apply to enter that country; it does not guarantee that you will be let in. Once you are in the country and maintaining your student status you do not need to worry about your visa expiration date. If you leave the country after your visa expires, you will need to get a new F-1 visa if you wish to return to the U.S. as a student.
Arrival/Departure Record (I-94)
Before you entered the United States you completed a form I-94. The I-94 records the date you arrived in the U.S., your non-immigrant status and the expiration date. As a student you received a D/S expiration date on your I-94. D/S means Duration of Status. In other words, you may stay until you complete your educational objective as long as you maintain your status at all times.
Certificate of Eligibility (I-20)
The I-20 is issued by the school you wish to attend. You use it when applying for your F-1 visa and to enter the country. You must pay attention to the expiration date of your I-20. Please do not stay beyond that date without seeking an extension of stay.
Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) and Designated School Official (DSO)
The P/DSO is the person on campus who is authorized by DHS to sign I-20’s and recommend immigration benefits. Emily Pack is the PDSO at MJC. Vie Champa is the DSO at MJC.