Office of the Provost
Basic Immigration Document Overview
Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record)
North Carolina Drivers License
Passports:
A passport is an international travel document issued by the foreign national’s home government showing their identity, state of origin and nationality. This travel document allows the foreign national to travel outside his/her country. It is the foreign national’s responsibility to keep his/her passport valid at all times.
Visas:
A nonimmigrant visa is a permit, affixed or stamped to a page in the passport, to request entry into the US. At the port of entry the immigration officer grants admission. Entrance to the US is given under the terms and conditions specified by the particular type of nonimmigrant visa. The visa does not determine how long the visitor can remain in the US. A valid visa is only necessary for entering the US.
Only a US consulate or embassy abroad can grant or renew a visa. Applicants are required to appear in person for an interview for each visa application.
Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record):
At the port of entry into the US, the immigration officer issues a Form I-94 to every nonimmigrant. Often the Form I-94 is handed out on the plane shortly before landing. The Form I-94 indicates the visa classification and any endorsements made by the immigration officer. The Form I-94 indicates the place and date of entry of admission to the United States and the initial period of authorized stay.
H-1B, TN and O-1 visa holders receive an I-94 card with a date specific end date. This end date should correspond with the petition expiration date. TN visa holders entering the US for the first time from Canada will be issued an end date one year into the future or shorter depending on the length of appointment. If foreign nationals are in the US beyond the end date indicated on the I-94 card it is classified as an "overstay" for immigration purposes and the visitor may be subject to bars to re-admittance to the US depending on the length of overstay.
Social Security Number:
The social security number is an identification number needed on numerous occasions, such as opening a bank account, filing tax forms, renting an apartment, opening utility accounts etc. The Social Security Administration has announced that it will only accept social security applications from individuals who have employment eligibility, employment authorization and proof of employment. If foreign nationals are ineligible to apply for a social security number the Payroll Office will provide a temporary number which is valid only at UNCG.
Foreign nationals will need to apply in person at the Social Security Administration. The Social Security Administration is located at 6005 Landmark Center Boulevard in Greensboro. The telephone number is 336-854-1809 or (800) 772-1213. Social security applications are available online. Directions to their office are available online or at the Payroll Office. To apply for a Social Security number and card, foreign nationals need to complete Form SS-5 and show at least two documents as evidence of age, identity, and lawful alien status (visa, passport, I-94, etc.)
Dependents and those not eligible to obtain a Social Security Number should apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) that can be obtained at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The ITIN is used for tax purposes and can serve as additional documentation for the driver’s license. To obtain the form and read more about the ITIN please stop by the Payroll Office or visit the IRS web page.
North Carolina Drivers License:
Most non-immigrants are eligible to apply for a North Carolina driver’s license. Additional documentation is required for non-immigrants when applying for the license. Non-immigrants should take their passport, I-94 card, visa eligibility document (I-797, etc), and/or Social Security card or Individual Taxpayer Identification Card (ITIN) in addition to other required documentation, such as proof of address. In order to obtain information on the driver’s license please visit the Department of Transportation web page.
Please note that individuals with International driver’s
licenses should apply for a North Carolina driver’s license within
30 days of arriving in North Carolina in accordance with state law.