Keep good records.
You should always safeguard documents in support of your nonimmigrant status, and we recommend you store your documents in a secure personal file. Always save original documents in your file, and never throw away documents such as your I–20 or DS–2019 (formerly IAP–66) even if they are old or expired.
The following documents are so important that the U.S. government requires that we keep copies of them in your file. Therefore, you are required to bring the following documents with you to International Student Services soon after you arrive (or after you renew any of them): passport, I–94 card, I–20 (or DS–2019).
•Passport
A passport is an official document issued by your government certifying your identity and citizenship for purposes of travel outside of your country. Your passport must be valid at least six months into the future at all times. If needed, you may renew your passport in your own country during a vacation or through your country's consulate or embassy here in the U.S.
•Visa
All F-1 amd J-1 internationals are required to apply for a visa before entering the U.S.; the only exception is for citizens (not residents or landed immigrants) of Canada or Bermuda. Your visa will be pasted into your passport. Please note that if your passport expires while your visa is still valid, you will need to get a new passport and travel with both your current passport and the passport that contains your visa.
•I-94 Arrival/Departure Record
All international visitors must have this form stapled into their passports. As you will receive a new I–94 card each time you enter the U.S., you are required to do an official check in with International Student Services each time that you reenter the U.S.
•Form I–20
This is the Certificate of Eligibility for a student to receive F–1 status. International Student Services issues the form to you but only after you have been admitted into a full-time program of study at The New School and you have provided financial documentation showing your ability to pay for your education and living expenses for the duration of your program of study. Use the I–20 to apply for an F–1 visa at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate and to apply for F–1 Student status at your port of entry to the U.S. If you currently hold an I–20, then you will not need a DS–2019. You may skip the next section.
•Form DS–2019
This is the Certificate of Eligibility for a professor, research scholar, or student to receive J–1 status. Us the DS-2019 to apply for a J-1 visa at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate and to apply for J-1 status at the port of entry to the U.S. If you currently hold a DS–2019, then you will not need an I–20. You may ignore the previous section.
•Other Documents
If you are in another status, you may or may not have other documents related to your status. Whatever documents you do have, be sure to take good care of them and bring them into International Student Services too so that we can make a copy for your file.
Copies of all nonimmigrant status documents should be kept in your file at The New School.
•Health Insurance.
Because of the extremely high costs of healthcare in the U.S., The New School makes two very important services available to you at discounted rates - Student Health Services Center & Student Health Insurance. It is crucial for you to have health insurance coverage while you are studying at The New School. Make sure to have your health insurance information on you at all times and provide a copy of it to ISS for your file. Visit the Student Health Services website to learn about health insurance and benefits.
