What to expect if you are accepted
When you are accepted, Hendrix will send information regarding enrollment. Once the enrollment deposit and housing application has been received, Hendrix will start the I-20 process.
- Hendrix will send you a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Form I-20 A-B/ID (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status – for Academic and Language Students).
- If you require a visa, then you should take the USCIS Form I-20 to the nearest U.S. consulate to obtain a student visa. You must also prove to the consulate that you have the financial resources required for your education and stay in the United States.
Planning your arrival in the United States
Plan to arrive in the United States no more than 30 days prior to the first day of classes. When traveling, always hand-carry your important documents. These should include:
- Passport, valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of your expected stay
- SEVIS form I-20
- Proof of financial resources
- Proof of student status (recent tuition receipt and/or transcripts)
- Receipt for SEVIS fee, Form I-797
- Name and contact information for your Designated School Official (DSO)
- 24-hour emergency contact number for your school
- Necessary immunizations done - find a list of required vaccination here.
Arriving in the United States
Port of Entry
When you first arrive in the United States (at your port of entry - usually the first airport that is on U.S. soil), you will need to provided the following documents:
- Passport
- Visa stamp (if applicable, located in your passport)
- SEVIS form I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1) (original signed document we sent to you - NOT a copy)
- SEVIS fee receipt
- Supporting financial documentation
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will place an admission stamp in your passport and will then write the visa status you were given (F-1 or J-1) and the expiration date. For students with F-1 or J-1 status, the expiration is noted with "D/S" which stands for duration of status. Please check to make sure the CBP officer puts the correct status and expiration date down. When you enter the country, an electronic record of your admission, known as I-94, will also be created. You can find a copy of this record by visiting: https:i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/.
In case you have any problems during this inspection, have the number of your DSO available.
Little Rock International Airport & Hendrix College Campus
Please send your itinerary (or other arrival information) to Ms. Gwen Stockwell, Director of International Student Services (Stockwell@hendrix.edu) as soon as it is arranged. The Office of International Programs will arrange an airport pick-up for you and bring you directly to your Hendrix dorm room.
When you arrive to the Hendrix Campus, you should have your DSO make a copy of the front pages of your passport and CBP stamp (I-94 information) in your passport.
Remember that it is important to report to your school as soon as possible after arriving in the United States.