Understanding Your Immigration Documents
US law requires you to provide valid immigration documents when you enter the United States and to keep them in your possession at all times. We recommended that you carry copies of your documents with you while in the Atlanta area, and original documents whenever you're traveling outside Atlanta. Any time you receive a new document, please submit a copy to us through ISSS Link (https://issslink.emory.edu).
Passport
Your passport is your own government's permit for you to leave and re-enter your home country.
Visa
The visa is a color sticker pasted into your passport by the US consul abroad. It shows the classification status you will have when you're admitted to the US.
Form I-94
The I-94 arrival/departure record confirms that you have been admitted to the US.
DS-2019 or I-797
The DS-2019 form is the certificate of eligibility for a J-1 Exchange Visitor. The I-797 approval notice shows that USCIS has approved a petition for H-1B, O-1, or TN status.
Port of Entry Stamp
Your port of entry stamp is issued when you enter the US and is usually placed on the page next to your visa.
SEVIS I-901 Receipt
J-1 scholars only: this document is issued by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program when you pay your SEVIS fee.