English as a Second Language
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Travel and Arrival Information

Directions | Arrival Information Sheet | Arriving at a U.S. Point of Entry | Additional Information | US-Visit

The University of Mississippi offers a shuttle service to and from the Memphis International Airport in Memphis, Tennessee, only. Memphis International Airport is the closest International Airport to the University. Incoming students, researchers, faculty, and staff should make plans to arrive at the Memphis International Airport (Airport Code MEM).

Southern Region

FROM MEMPHIS, TN, VIA I-55:
From Memphis, Tennessee, take I-55 south for 63 miles.
Take the Batesville/Oxford exit off I-55. Merge onto MS-6 and proceed east toward Oxford, Mississippi, for 26 miles.
Once in Oxford, take the second exit, Coliseum Drive, onto campus.

FROM MEMPHIS, TN, VIA HWY 78:
From Memphis, Tennessee, take US-78 for 52 miles.
Exit US-78 at the Holly Springs/Oxford exit.
From Holly Springs, take MS-7 south for 31 miles.
Once in Oxford, take the 4th exit onto MS-6 and proceed west.
Take the 3rd exit, Coliseum Drive, onto campus.

FROM JACKSON, MS:
From Jackson, Mississippi, take I-55 north for 150 miles.
Take the Batesville/Oxford exit off I-55. Proceed east on MS-6 toward Oxford, Mississippi, for 26 miles.
Once in Oxford, take the second exit, Coliseum Drive, onto campus.

FROM TUPELO, MS:
From Tupelo, take MS-6 west for 53 miles.
Once in Oxford, take the 6th exit, Coliseum Drive, onto campus.

Arrival Information Sheet

ARRIVING at a U.S. POINT OF ENTRY

What You Can Expect

(From the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website found here for J's and here for F's).
J’s Link: http://www.ice.gov/sevis/factsheet/100104ent_exchng_fs.htm
F’s Link: http://www.ice.gov/sevis/factsheet/100104ent_stdnt_fs.htm

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is committed to facilitating your stay in the United States while you take advantage of our nation’s academic, educational, and cultural offerings. To enhance security without slowing legitimate travel, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has instituted some changes in U.S. entry and exit procedures. Careful planning and preparation by international students and scholars can ensure that any delay based on these procedures is minimal.

Plan Your Arrival

F-1 Students on SEVIS I-20s may be refused entry into the United States if attempting to arrive more than 30 days before the program start date listed on the SEVIS I-20 form. Also, J-1 Students and Scholars are prohibited from entering the United States more than 30 days in advance of the program start date identified in Item 3 of the DS 2019.

Always Hand Carry Your Documents

Do not store your passport or I-20 or DS-2019 or other immigration documents in your baggage or luggage. If your baggage is lost or delayed, you will be unable to present the documents at your port of entry. As a result, you may not be able to enter the United States.

You should hand carry the following documentation in a folder or envelope:

  • Your passport, valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected stay;
  • SEVIS Form I-20 (F-1 Students), the DS-2019 (J-1 Students/Scholars) or I-797 approval (H-1B, TN, or O-1);
  • Evidence of financial resources;
  • Evidence of student status with the University of Mississippi, letter of acceptance as a participant in the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program or job offer letter from department;
  • Paper receipt for the SEVIS fee, Form I-797; and
  • Name and contact information for your sponsoring organization, including a 24-hour emergency contact number.

For greater detail on procedures for traveling and arriving in the United States, visit: Education USA

Complete Your Entry Paperwork

If arriving by air: Flight attendants will distribute Customs Declaration Forms (CF-6059) and Arrival-Departure Record Forms (I-94). These must be completed prior to landing.

If arriving by land or sea: The CBP Officer at the port of entry will provide the necessary Customs Declaration Forms (CF-6059) and Arrival-Departure Record Forms (I-94) to be filled out upon your arrival.

As You Arrive at the Port of Entry

Proceed to the terminal area for arriving passengers. Have the following documents available for presentation:

  • Your passport;
  • Your I-20, DS-2019, or I-797;
  • Arrival-Departure Record Form (I-94)—the Form I-94 should reflect the address where you will reside, not the address of the program; and
  • Customs Declaration Form (CF-6059).

All visitors entering the United States must state their reason for wishing to enter the country. You will also be asked to provide information about your final destination. It is important for J-1 Visa holders to tell the CBP Officer that they will be an exchange visitor. F-1 Students must tell the CBP Officer that they will be a student. H-1B, TN, and O-1 holders should be prepared to tell the CBP Officer where they will work. Be prepared to include the name and address of the school program where you will enroll/participate.

Once your inspection is successfully completed:

  • The inspecting officer will stamp your SEVIS Form for duration of status (“D/S”) for J visa holders and F visa holders with date and port of entry.
  • H-1B, TN, and O-1 will have passport stamped and marked with a specific end-date.
  • The inspecting officer will stamp the Arrival-Departure Record Form (I-94) and staple it in the passport

Following Admission into the United States

F-1 Students should report to the University within 30 days of the date that appears on the SEVIS I-20 form to register for courses or to validate their intended participation.  Failure to do so may result in serious consequences.

J-1 Students and Scholars must report to their Exchange Visitor Program sponsor within 30 days of the program begin date identified in line 3 of the DS 2019 to have their participation in the program activity validated.  Exchange Visitors in programs beginning with “G” listed in item 2 of the DS 2019, and who are being sponsored for less than 30 days, must have their sponsor validate their participation prior to the end date listed in Item 3 of the DS 2019.  Failure to have participation validated will result in an automatic invalidated SEVIS record.

Those in H-1B, TN, or O-1 status should report to the University immediately.

Before Leaving the Inspections Area

Make sure you have all of your documentation, including the following:

  • Passport
  • Departure Record (I-94 Card)
  • I-20 (F-1 Students) or
  • DS-2019 (J-1 Students or Scholars) or
  • I-797 (for H-1B, TN, O-1)
  • All supporting documents (letters, proof of finances, etc.)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Secondary Inspection Requirements

If the CBP officer at the port of entry cannot initially verify your information, or you do not have all of the required documentation, you may be directed to an interview area known as “secondary inspection.” Secondary inspection allows inspectors to conduct additional research in order to verify information without causing delays for other arriving passengers.

It is important to answer all questions the CBP officer asks. ,Remember to remain calm. Secondary inspection is a normal process and is nothing of which to be afraid.

The CBP officer will first attempt to verify the status of F-1 or J-1 visa holders by using the Student and Exchange and Visitor Information System (SEVIS). ,In the event that the CBP officer needs to verify your admission/participation with your sponsoring school or program, it is strongly recommended that you have the name and telephone number of your foreign student advisor or J-1 Exchange Visitor Program sponsor international faculty advisor available. ,In the event you arrive during non-business hours (evenings, weekends, holidays), you should also have the emergency phone number.

Daytime contact:
English as a Second Language
(662) 915-1560

After hours, emergency contact:
University Police Department
(662) 915-7234

Failure to comply with U.S. government entry-exit procedures may result in your being denied entry to the United States.  Under certain circumstances, the CBP officer may issue a “Notice to Student or Exchange Visitor” Form (I-515A), which authorizes temporary admission into the United States.  If you are admitted with the Form I-515A, you must work with your program sponsor or international advisor to submit proper documentation without delay.

US-VISIT

All nonimmigrant visitors holding visas—regardless of race, national origin, or religion—participate in US-VISIT, a comprehensive registration tracking system for entries to and exits from the United States.  The program involves obtaining a scan of two index fingerprints and a digital photograph.  For more information click here. US-VISIT Link: http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/programs/content_multi_image_0006.shtm

National Security Entry-Exit (NSEER) Registration System

Some individuals may be asked to provide additional information under the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System, or NSEERS.  A packet of information will be available at the port of entry explaining the registration procedure. For more information, click here.
NSEER Link: http://www.ice.gov/pi/specialregistration/index.htm

Before Leaving the Inspections Area

Make sure you have all of your documentation, including the following:

  • Passport
  • Departure Record (I-94 Card)
  • I-20 (F-1 Students) or
  • DS-2019 (J-1 Students or Scholars) or
  • I-797 (for H-1B, TN, O-1)
  • All supporting documents (letters, proof of finances, etc.)

Link to versation site