Immigration Documents

Passport

Your passport is issued by your home country's government and serves as your primary proof of identity and citizenship. It should stay valid at all times while you're in the U.S., and as a general rule, you'll want it valid for at least six months into the future. Renew it through your country's embassy or consulate well before it expires.

I-20 (F-1) / DS-2019 (J-1)

This is your Certificate of Eligibility, and it's the document that ties you to your school or program. The Form I-20 is issued by GW for F-1 students; the DS-2019 is issued by GW or your program sponsor for J-1 students. This document lists your program of study, funding, and start and end dates. Be sure to sign it in wet ink, keep it accurate and up to date, and get a travel signature from us before you leave and re-enter the country. You can also request an updated I-20 when necessary via ISOGateWay.

Visa

The visa is the stamp placed in your passport by a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. Its purpose is entry only: it lets you travel to a U.S. port of entry and request admission. It's normal for a visa to expire while you're still in the U.S. You can remain in the U.S. as long as you maintain your status. You only need a valid, unexpired visa when you re-enter after traveling abroad. This means that if you leave the U.S. with an expired visa, you'll need to obtain a new one before returning. If your country of citizenship is subject to a travel ban, be sure to understand how this might affect your ability to obtain a new visa and re-enter the country.

I-94 and Admit Until Date (AUD)

What is an I-94?

The Form I-94 is the official documentation of your arrival to and departure from the U.S. It shows your personal information, your class of admission (F-1 or J-1), your most recent date of entry, and your "Admit Until Date," or "AUD."

Why is this document important?

Your I-94 is important because it shows that you have been legally admitted into the United States. Additionally, you will often need to download this document for processes such as your online check-in with the ISO or benefit requests on ISOGateWay. You should check to make sure the information on the record is correct. You should also download an updated I-94 after every time you enter the country and carry it with you along with your I-20 or DS-2019 as proof of registration. Make note of the expiration date in the bottom right corner and redownload when expired.

What is my Admit Until Date (AUD)?

The Admit Until Date is the final calendar day an international student or exchange visitor is legally allowed to stay in the United States. Historically, that date has read "D/S" (Duration of Status), meaning you could remain as long as you maintained your status. Under a DHS final rule taking effect September 15, 2026, F-1 and J-1 nonimmigrants will generally be admitted until a fixed expiration date instead - up to the program end date on your I-20 or DS-2019, not to exceed four years, plus a 30-day grace period. If you're already in the U.S. in valid status when the rule takes effect on September 15, 2026, your existing I-94 generally continues to show D/S until you travel internationally or file an extension. Check your I-94 after every entry and review the Admit Until Date closely.

If you are in the U.S. in valid F-1 or J-1 status before September 15,2026, your Admit Until Date will look different depending on if you leave and re-enter the U.S. and the length of your program. See below for more details:

Students whose program is 4 YEARS OR SHORTER and enter the U.S. BEFORE September 15, 2026.

If you LEAVE the U.S. at any point after September 15, 2026
- Admit Until Date (AUD): Your I-94 will have an AUD with a fixed calendar date.
  - This date will be 30 days later than your Program End Date listed on your I-20.
- Grace Period: 30 days (included in AUD)
- Maximum Stay: Your program end date plus the 30-day grace period

Students whose program is LONGER THAN 4 YEARS and enter the U.S. BEFORE September 15, 2026.

Admit Until Date (AUD): Your I-94 will have an AUD of D/S
Grace Period: 60 days after program end date
Maximum Stay: Your program end date plus the 30-day grace period OR November 14, 2030, whichever is shorter