F-1 and J-1 Travel
OISS reminds students & scholars:
- Get your I-20/DS-2019 signed if you are traveling outside the U.S. See below for travel signature validity information.
- Check your passport expiration. To re-enter the U.S., a passport must be valid 6-months into the future from the next date of entry.
- Don't forget your I-20/DS-2019 and passport. When preparing to return to the U.S., be sure these documents are with your person on the plane -- you will need them before you have access to checked baggage to pass through passport control.
OISS reminds F-1 students on OPT and STEM OPT:
- While on OPT or STEM OPT, the travel signature is valid for 6 months from when it was signed.
- When traveling abroad while on OPT be sure to carry your EAD card, as you will need to present it for re-entry into the United States. All EAD cards say 'not valid for reentry' This means that the card alone does not guarantee reentry but that you must also carry the I-20 and passport with valid visa.
- 宅男福利导航s on OPT must carry the following when traveling abroad to re-enter the U.S.:
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SEVIS Form I-20 with valid travel signature within the last six months;
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Valid F-1 visa stamp inside passport;
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Current passport, valid at least six months into the future;
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Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Card (Note: All EAD cards say 'not valid for reentry' This means that the card alone does not guarantee reentry but that you must also carry the I-20 and passport with valid visa.)
- If you are, or will be employed, we recommend that you carry your offer letter.
- F-2 dependents of F-1 students on OPT should carry photocopies of their spouses EAD card and employment offer letter, in addition to a SEVIS Form I-20, valid F-1 visa stamp, and current passport.
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How does a student obtain a travel signature on the Form I-20 /DS 2019?
F-1 and J-1 宅男福利导航s
To submit an" I-20 Reprint (or DS-2019 Reprint) Request' for travel, follow these steps:
- Log in to the .
- Go to portal section #3 "Requests & Documents" on the far right.
- Scroll down to find the appropriate request: "Reprint I-20" or "Reprint DS-2019"
For F-1 students
For J-1 students
- Complete and submit the request.
- You will receive an email notifying you when your I-20 or DS-2019 reprint with travel signature is ready to access and print from the portal.
Travel Abroad
International students & scholars in F-1 or J-1 status and their dependents need the following to leave and re-enter the U.S.
- SEVIS Form I-20 or DS-2019 with a valid travel signature (see above) endorsed by the OISS; Customs and Border Protection officials will need to see your printed paper I-20 for re-entry to the U.S.
- Valid visa stamp (pasted inside your passport); and
- Current passport, valid at least six months after the date of your re-entry (unless your passport was issued by a country belonging to the "Six Month Club" and is exempt from the 6-month rule). Please see March 2022 DHS list of .
Make sure your documents are valid (unexpired)
- If your F-1 or J-1 visa is unexpired, you can use that visa to re-enter the U.S.
- If you are planning to take a cruise, please check with your cruise provider to find out whether you will pass through Customs in any country you may enter, and whether you will be subject to U.S. Customs & Border Patrol inspection upon your return to the U.S.
Documentation while in the U.S.
Inside the U.S. we recommend that you to carry your original immigration documentation. For F-1 / J-1 student visa holders, carry copies of your valid passport, visa, I-20/DS-2019 and your most recent I-94. If you are here on an employment visa (J-1, H-1B, O-1, TN), you should also carry your I-797 Approval Notice (H-1B Scholars) and a copy of your offer/invitation letter.
Travel Tips
- Make copies/scans of ALL documents: passport, I-20/DS-2019, visa stamp, .
- If traveling abroad, it is always a good idea to bring your financial documentation showing proof of necessary funds to cover tuition and living costs (i.e. bank statements, funding letters, etc.).
- If you lose your passport, please contact your home consulate or embassy for replacement. You will only be able to replace a visa if you are abroad.
- Remember to print /scan, double check, and save your I-94 record each time you return to the U.S. Visit to access your I-94 record.