Part I -- Leaving for the US? Tips for Travel

US immigration officials are often made out to be bullies, prejudiced against foreigners. This myth has become so popular, in fact, that most people just accept it as true.

In reality, however, if you follow the correct procedure, your entry to the US should go smoothly. Also, proper preparation before you leave will make things easier, should any problems arise.

Today, we'll look at how to behave in front of US immigration inspectors, the importance of the I-94 form, and how to combat the effects of jet lag.

US-VISIT Programme for non-immigrant visa-holders

The US Department of Homeland Security created the US Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology programme (US-VISIT) in 2004 for non-immigrant visa-holders landing at US airports.

US-VISIT only applies to non-immigrant visa-holders, and not to permanent residents (Green Card holders) or US citizens. If you go to America as a student, you qualify for US-VISIT. 

A scanner will take two inkless fingerprints of your index finger on each hand. Your digital photo will also be taken at the same time. There is a proposal to take fingerprints of all 10 fingers in near future, but this has not been implemented as of now.   

This information is then used to verify the identity of the visitor, and is compared against various watch lists -- the verification process takes only about 15 seconds to complete.

Upon verification, the US Customs and Border Protection officer will either admit the visitor, or conduct additional inquiries based on the results. 

At some US airports, specially trained dogs sniff baggage for any illicit products. Any baggage signaled by the dogs is searched extensively.

• Earn while you learn in the US

Entry into the US

After being admitted to the US as a university student, maintaining and proving legal status is your responsibility. The first step to ensuring your legal status is correctly completing your I-94 form.

The I-94 form is attached to your arrival-departure record. This card will be handed out by the airline at the port of entry in the US. It will ask for personal information, such as the purpose of your stay, your age and your passport details. Fill it carefully and accurately.

When you arrive at the airport immigration counter, you will be assigned an immigration inspector. He or she will review your case and process your I-94 form. On this form, the immigration inspector will list a D/S (Duration of Stay), which indicates how long you are allowed to stay in the US for educational purposes. 

Make sure that the immigration inspector properly staples the I-94 to the inside of your passport. If the form is not stapled, ensure that you staple it opposite the US visa entry stamp or on the next page. In reality, the I-94 is your visa. This is because it legally explains that you are authorised to stay in the US. What you get in India at the US embassy/ consulate is a stamp of entry that entitles you to travel to the US, but does not give indication of your entry into the US, and does not reveal the length of stay. Most US visa-holders don't understand this difference.

Ensure that you make multiple photocopies of your I-94 form.  Always keep a few copies on you, in your purse/ wallet at all times. This is your identity as a person living in the US.

Any government offical can ask you for proof of your visa status. The I-94 form inside your actual passport is the best form of identification, but a photocopy works as well. Always be prepared with a copy, in case of inspection.

If you lose this card, inform your Designated School Official -- each university has one -- and apply for a fresh I-94 by filing Form I-102 with the USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services). You will pay a fee of $160 (Rs 6,500). Effective July 30, 2007, the fee shifts to $320 (Rs 13,000).

• Where to start? US student visa preparations

Jet lag

Your body's biological clock gets thrown off when travelling through different time zones. Undoubtedly, this influences your physical and mental performance. This is called jet lag.

Jet lag produces symptoms like mild tiredness, headaches, disorientation and exhaustion.  Immobility in the flight can lead to swollen feet, aching muscles, pain in joints and indigestion. Also, do read up on Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). It often affects passengers on long flight. 

Most travellers have problems adjusting to a new time zone when arriving after a long flight, particularly one which has passed through several time zones. Each time zone you pass creates an extra day of jet lag symptoms. Therefore, the move of 10 time zones from India to New York means 10 days of jet lag!

While jet lag is not completely unavoidable, there are strategies which can lessen strain and minimise discomfort:

~ Begin preparing your body for the trip before your departure. Adjust your daily wake-sleep habits. If you are travelling westward, go to bed an hour late and get up an hour late three days before your flight. Repeat the next day and the day after, adding another hour each time. Reverse the process if flying eastward.

~ Consider melatonin (a body relaxant), which can help your body adjust.  Experts recommend a 0.5 mg dose of synthetic melatonin beginning three days before the flight. Take it when it would be about 8 pm in your destination time zone.  The dose should be repeated daily until proper sleep in the new time zone has been established. Ask your doctor for further advice.

~ Try to fly during daylight hours and arrange your travel schedule to avoid loss of sleep. Wear comfortable clothing during your flight. Kick off your shoes and relax.       

~ On the day of your travel, eat light meals.  Drink plenty of fluids, such as water and fruit juices, while avoiding alcohol, salt and sugar. Pressurised cabins have a tendency to bring about dehydration on long flights. To combat this, drink water even if you don't feel thirsty.    

~ While on the plane, stretch, relax and move your body occasionally. Get up and walk for 10 minutes every two hours. Doing so will relieve cramping, backaches and keep your blood circulating.  Be active on the flight. Try not to sit with your legs crossed.  Keep your legs elevated while sitting.  Stretch your calf muscles and wear tight socks to minimise blood pooling in your feet.        

~ To minimise the discomfort of pressure building in your ears, pinch your nostrils closed and inhale deeply, then exhale through your nose, blowing out in short, firm bursts until you feel your ears 'pop'.  Yawning, drinking liquids and chewing gum also help.    

~ Don't fly wearing contact lenses; wear spectacles instead. Contacts will only dry out and further irritate itchy or burning eyes. The air is very dry inside an aircraft cabin.    

~ Avoid doing demanding work in-flight. You will not perform at peak efficiency during your trip, and it might cause stress. If you must work, set time limits of one or two hour intervals.     

~ Co-ordinate your sleep period with night in your destination time-zone. Be comfortable: earplugs, an eye mask, an inflatable neck pillow, sweater or a shawl can help you relax and make you fall asleep.

Also, upon arrival, try not to let the excitement and change in environment overcome you. Immediately adjusting to the local time zone can be stressful.

It is advisable to adjust gradually and to resist social pressure by going to bed as early as possible on the first night after arrival.  

Important meetings and decisions, such as meeting your department head or selecting an academic advisor, should be delayed to allow your body proper time to adjust. A flight from India to the United States will require approximately a week of recovery.

DON'T MISS

• Going to the US to study?
• Want to study abroad? 

~ Are you a student who is studying/ has studied abroad? What advice would you have for other students who may soon be pursuing studies in a foreign country? What are your experience as an international student? What were the things you wished you knew before you left home? Write to us at getahead@rediff.co.in and we will feature your experiences right here.

Dr Arun Vakil has an MBA from the University of California, USA, and a PhD, partly from the University of Wyoming USA and the University of Mumbai. He is an expert on US visa regulations. He has authored the book 'Gateway To America'.