Arrival in the United States
Date of Entry to the US
US immigration regulations permit new F/J students to enter the US up to 30 days prior to but no later than the program start date printed on page one the I-20/DS-2019. Please consider this date carefully when making travel plans to the US. As reminder, all new students are required to attend the New Student Orientation.
I-94 Arrival/Departure Record
All non-immigrants are assigned an I-94 number upon entry to the US. Students can access their I-94 Arrival/Departure Record from the CBP website. The printout will serve as an official I-94 record for federal and state government-based benefit applications, such as driver’s license and social security number. Please review this page to learn more about the I-94 Arrival/Departure Record.
Transportation from the Airport to West Liberty
The Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) is approximately 1 hour from the West Liberty University (WLU). Rollie Williams International Center provides students with the airport pickup shuttle service. Students must confirm their travel itinerary with the International Center after booking their flights.
Student Travel Information
International students in F-1 or J-1 status may travel within the U.S. or abroad during their tenure at West Liberty. Here’s some reminder before you travel:
- Get your I-20/DS-2019 signed! For travel signature information, read below!
- Check your passport expiration. To re-enter the U.S., a passport must be valid 6-months into the future from the next date of entry.
- Don’t forget your I-20/DS-2019 and Passport, and when preparing to re-enter the United States, be sure these documents are with your person on the plane — you will need them before you have access to checked baggage.
Travel Documents
International students in F-1 or J-1 status, and their dependents, need the following to leave and re-enter the U.S.
- SEVIS Form I-20 or DS-2019 with a valid travel signature endorsed within the last twelve months by the International Center;
- Valid visa stamp (pasted inside your passport); and
- Current passport, valid at least six months after the date of your re-entry.
- Make sure your documents are valid (not expired).
How to Obtain a Travel Signature
A Travel Signature on an I-20 is a signature that is issued by an international student advisor, which acknowledges that you are a full-time student in F-1 status and that you are maintaining your status at West Liberty University. The signature appears on page 2 of your I-20.
Once your document has been signed, the signature is valid for one year. Your travel signature must be valid when you re-enter the U.S. in F-1 status. Travel signatures can be acquired by bringing your I-20 to the RW International Center.