Overview of Immigration Documents

February 26, 2013

International Faculty & Staff Services

Documents

Passport Visa stamp I-94 DS-2019 (J-1s) I-20 (F-1s) I-797, Notices of Action (H-1Bs, TN, E-3s, O-1s) Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Permanent Residency Card aka Green Card

Passport

• Issued by your home government

• Name on passport dictates name on all docs

• Must be valid for your entire stay in the US

• Renewed at home country’s consulate in US

• Has name, picture, DOB, validity period

U.S. Visa Stamp

Must be obtained at a US Consulate/Embassy abroad

Used for entry into US Can have expired visa

while in US Not used for I-9

purposes Visa vs. Status

I-94 Card

Arrival / Departure Record

Dictates status & length of stay

I-9 document Issued by CBP when

enter US

I-20, F-1 International Students

• Issued by the University in which the student is enrolled

• Full time status• Dates of study• May have multiple

I-20s during duration of status

DS-2019, J-1 Exchange Visitor

• Issued by program sponsor

• Validity dates• Travel

Endorsement signature

I-797, Notice of Action

• Evidence of receipt or approval of petition

• For H-1Bs, TN, E-3s, O-1s

• Receipt notice may extend work eligibility

• Evidence of status, not a visa

I-797A Approval Notice with I-94 Card&

I-797B Approval Notice, Consular

Employment Authorization Document

• Issued by USCIS• Has expiration date• Work permission

for:• F1/OPT• J2• E-3D• Adjustment

Applicants• Asylee/Refugee

Permanent Residency Card

• Also known as Green Card

• Issued by DHS• Status never

expires but card does

• Unrestricted work and travel document

Contact Information

International Faculty and Staff Services 21 North Park Street, Suite 5101 265-2257 telephone 265-6547 facsimile www.ohr.wisc.edu/ifss

– Jennifer Taylor (Director) jtaylor@ohr.wisc.edu– Mary Schnetz (H-1Bs) mschnetz@ohr.wisc.edu– Kim Maday (J-1s) kmaday@ohr.wisc.edu– Ryan Redmer (J-1s) rredmer@ohr.wisc.edu