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Travel QuestionsProcedures for traveling outside of the U.S. on an F-1 or J-1 Visa.Students and Scholars are allowed to travel outside of the U.S. during their period of study or research, but they must get a travel signature from the DISP office before leaving. Travel signatures are issued on page 3 of students' I-20 forms and on page 1 of student and scholar DS-2019 forms. You must always bring your I-20 or DS-2019 form with you when you travel. Required Documents for Travel SignaturePlease bring the following documents for yourself and your dependents to the DISP office when you request a travel signature:
Common Travel Questions for F-1 and J-1 Students and ScholarsI am on OPT. Do I need a travel signature?
I am on OPT. Do I need a travel signature?Yes. Students on OPT still need a travel signature on their I-20 document. If you are traveling outside the U.S. while on OPT you must travel with your I-20 form, a recent letter from your employer verifying your employment and your EAD card. You also need a valid F-1 visa to reenter the U.S. If your visa has expired we do NOT recommend traveling outside of the USA. If your visa has expired then you'll need to apply for a new F-1 visa which could be very difficult while on OPT. My visa is expired. Can I travel?Yes you can travel, but you will need to apply for a new F-1 or J-1 visa while you are outside of the U.S. You will need to have a valid F-1 or J-1 visa in your passport to return to the U.S. If you are traveling to Canada, Mexico or the caribbean you do not have to renew your student visa. The Departmetn of State regulations have a special provision related to visa stamps call AUTOMATIC REVALIDATION. Automatic Revalidation permits holders of Fand J visas to enter "contiguous territory" or "adjacent islands" (Canada, Mexico and select islands in the caribbean) and return to the U.S. without a currently valid visa stamp in their passport. If you do travel to Canada, Mexico or the caribbean it is very important that you do NOT surrender your I-94 card when leaving the U.S. Click here for more information about Automatic Revalidation. Click here for a list of islands covered by automatic revalidation. Do I need a travel signature to go to Canada or Mexico?Yes. Whenever you travel outside of the U.S. you need a valid travel signature when you re-enter. Do I need a tourist visa to go to Canada or Mexico?Citizens of most countries need a tourist visa to visit Canada and Mexico. To determine if you need a tourist visa to travel to Mexico visit the Mexico Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. Under "Services", click "Visas for Foreigners (INM)" After you obtain your tourist visa to Canada or Mexico you still need a valid travel signature for re-entry to the U.S. I left the U.S. without a travel signature. Can I come back to the U.S.?Yes. If you will be outside of the U.S. for several weeks you could mail your I-20 to DISP for a travel signature. After verifying your enrollment DISP will issue your travel signature and return your I-20 to you. You could also return to U.S. and present your passport and I-20 at customs. The border officer will ask about your travel signature and you can explain that you forgot to get a travel signature. The border officer will issue a form I-515 that requires DISP respond with your proper I-20 with travel signature or it will limit your stay in U.S. to on ly 30 days. If you are issued a form I-515 please come see an advisor in the DISP office as soon as possible. I am an NSEERS student. What do I need to do to travel?NSEERS registrants MUST register their departure before leaving the US. You must appear in person before an inspecting officer at a designated port of departure and leave from that port on the same day. Click here for a list of designated departure points(airports and land crossings). If you leave the U.S. (including visits to Canada, Mexico or adjacent islands) you must register your departure by appearing in person on the date of your departure before an inspecting officer at a designated port of departure (see above for list). Additionally, you must depart from the United States from the designated port at which your departure was registered. If you do not appear in person on the date of your departure befoe an inspecting officer, you may be denied admission to the United States at a later date. You can also see the list of designated ports and instructions on where to register your departure on the internet at www.ice.gov and from the National Customer Service Center (1-800-375-5283 or TTY 1-800-767-1833 for the hearing impaired). |
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