Announcements : Information on F-1 Student Visa application and Travel to the U.S.

Welcome to ArtCenter! Please review the following links for your information on F-1 visa application and more. 
F-1 Student Visa
Find a U.S. Consulates
Study in the States

F-1 student visa appointment is NOW AVAILABLE!

Please be aware of the U.S. Consulates and Embassies are taking F-1 student visa interview appointments since Wednesday, June 18. Please check your local U.S. Consulates to make an F-1 visa interview appointment IF you need new F-1 visa or need renewal expired F-1 visa to come to the U.S. for FA25.

Announcement of Expanded Screening and Vetting for Visa Applicants by DOS

 https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/18/social-media-screening-student-visas-00413160

In the meantime, many of you might not realize that your social media presence can be scrutinized during visa applications, U.S. border screenings, or/and law enforcement encounters. We would like to inform you that there are possible risks and impact of posting politically sensitive content that could be misinterpreted by immigration authorities, and potential digital surveillance of protest activity. And remind you of managing your online presence and securing accounts for your safety.
 
Here we are connecting you to the U.S. government guidance and also other reliable resource on what data U.S. border officials can access from your personal electronic devices for you.:
-CBP Directive  
-What to Expect at the U.S. Port of Entry (POE)
Upon arrival at a U.S. international airport, seaport, or land border crossing, all travelers are
subject to inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Anyone seeking to enter the
U.S. must establish your admissibility to the satisfaction of a CBP officer.
During primary inspection, a CBP officer will:
• Review your valid passport, valid F-1 visa, and valid Form I-20 with travel signature
• Verify your identity and nationality
• Ask about your reason for entering the U.S., your academic program, and your travel
history
• Taking your fingerprints and photograph
If additional information is needed, you may be sent to secondary inspection, where CBP officers
conduct further questioning and document review. Secondary inspection can be prompted
randomly or if a CBP officer has concerns about your admissibility. It allows officers to verify
information without delaying other travelers.
During secondary inspection, CBP officers may:
• Ask detailed questions about your travel plans, immigration history, previous
employment in the U.S. and/or prior drug use
• Inquire about proof of financial ability to support yourself during your stay in the U.S.
• Request proof of enrollment and/or information about your academic program to verify
that you have previously maintained F-1 status
• Review any interactions with law enforcement, including arrests or DUIs
• Conduct a thorough search of you and your belongings, including electronic devices
• Request passwords or access to locked electronic devices to review laptop files, phone
data, and social media accounts
• Make copies of information stored on your devices
Refusing to provide CBP officers access to your electronic devices could result in your device
being detained for further examination and may lead to a determination of inadmissibility.
CBP officers have broad authority to:
• Search luggage and personal belongings without a warrant
• Question individuals to determine their eligibility to enter the U.S.
• Inspect electronic devices, including reviewing messages, emails, and social media
activity
• Make admissibility determinations
Documents You Need at the Port of Entry : F-1 students must present the following
immigration documents at the port of entry to establish their admissibility to the U.S.
1. Valid Passport (must valid for minimum of 6 months in to the future at the time of
re-entry to the U.S.)
2. Valid F-1 visa (Canadians are exempt) * If your F-1 visa has expired, the short break
weeks might not be the best time to travel and renew your F-1 visa as visa services and
visa interview appointment availability at the U.S. Consulates might be limited.
3. Valid I-20 with travel signature within one year: We are authorized to email you a
digital copy of the I-20 with electronic travel signatures. However you must print
out the I-20 in paper, sign on the bottom of 1st page and carry the I-20 with you upon your
entry to the US.
Tips for a Smooth Entry Process
• Keep all required documents organized and easily accessible.
• Remain calm and polite when speaking to CBP officers and provide clear, concise, and
truthful answers.
• Avoid jokes or misleading statements.
• Marijuana and other recreational drugs legal in California remain illegal under federal
law. Since all U.S. ports of entry operate under federal jurisdiction, possessing,
transporting, or admitting past use of marijuana can result in denial of entry or other
immigration consequences.
If you experience Issues at the Port of Entry (POE), please refer to the emergency contact
information below:
• International Student Services (ISS): Email international@artcenter.edu
• ArtCenter College of Design Campus Security at 626 396 2211

-Electronic Device Searches at POE: What You Need to Know ( by The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA))
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has the authority to search electronic devices—including phones, laptops, tablets and
other electronic devices—of anyone entering the U.S., including U.S. citizens and non-citizens. These searches can happen at U.S. land
crossings, airports, seaports, and even at CBP preclearance locations abroad, such as Dublin or Toronto. These searches can occur
without a warrant or suspicion.
Types of Searches
• A basic search is any border search of an electronic device
that generally involves an officer reviewing the contents of
the device manually without the assistance of any external
equipment.
• An advanced search is when an officer connects external
equipment to an electronic device to access to the device, as
well as to review, copy, and/or analyze its contents. CBP must
have a reasonable suspicion of a violation of law or a national
security concern and pre-approval of a senior manager before
conducting an advanced search.
Why This Matters to You
• Privacy Risks: CBP may access personal, confidential and
sensitive data.
• Legal Considerations: Your rights are limited at the border, but
you can take steps to protect your data.
• Possible Consequences: If you refuse to provide access, your
device may be seized. Visa holders may be denied entry to the
United States if they refuse to provide access. At preclearance
locations, this may result in boarding being denied.
Ten Smart Steps to Protect Your Data at the U.S. Border
1. Travel Light: Carry only necessary devices. Consider using a
dedicated travel device with minimal personal data.
2. Back Up Before You Go: Save important files securely in the
cloud or an external drive before traveling. Keep backups
separate from your laptop.
3. Prioritize Password Security: Secure devices with unique,
complex passwords. Although fingerprints and other biometric
locks offer convenience, they are generally considered
less secure than strong passwords. Enabling two-factor
authentication (2FA) whenever possible can provide an
additional layer of security.
4. Know Your Rights:
• You are not required to share your password, but refusal may
lead to device seizure. Visa holders may be denied entry to the
U.S. if they refuse to provide access. At preclearance locations,
this may result in boarding being denied.
• U.S. citizens can refuse to answer questions beyond identity
and travel details, though this may cause delays. Lawful
permanent residents cannot be denied entry but may face
additional scrutiny. Visa holders may be denied entry if they
refuse to answer questions about their trip and visa status.
5. Document the Search: Write down details of the search,
including the names and badge numbers of CBP agents.
Document the questions they ask. If your interview was
recorded, ask for a copy of the transcript.
6. Minimize Stored Data: Carry less data across the border.
Consider traveling with a laptop free of sensitive data or apps
that collect and store sensitive data. Securely delete files
instead of just moving them to the trash. Think about leaving
your usual phone at home and buying a temporary phone, then
transferring your SIM card or getting a new number at your
destination.
7. Encrypt Your Devices: Enable full-disk encryption on all your
devices for added security. Use strong passphrases instead of
simple passwords.
8. Turn Off Devices Before Border Crossing: Power down your
devices completely before reaching the border to help protect
against potential remote access attacks and data interception.
9. Inspect Devices Upon Return: If your laptop is confiscated and
later returned, boot it using an external drive and perform a
thorough scan for any unauthorized software or changes.
10. Limit Cloud Access: The border search will only examine
information on the device at the time of the search and cannot
access information stored remotely. Sign out of sensitive apps,
disable automatic logins, and consider removing apps that
store personal data. Additionally, you may consider using a
VPN for electronic devices.
How to Handle Interactions with U.S. Border Agents
• Be Honest: Never lie to CBP officers.
• Stay Calm: Do not argue or interfere with an inspection.
• Understand Inspection Authority: Understand that CBP has the
authority to physically inspect electronic devices. While you
are not required to provide your passwords, refusing to do so
may result in possible consequences, such as device seizure or
denial of entry.
For more information, read this short guide from Electronic
Frontier Foundation’s Border Search Pocket Guide.
If you have questions about traveling to the United States, please
contact your immigration lawyer. If you do not have an immigration
attorney, you can find a licensed attorney at www.ailalawyer.org.
This flyer is intended for general information purposes only and
does not constitute legal advice. You should not act or rely on any
information in this flyer without seeking the advice of a competent,
licensed immigration attorney.