Traveling

When you are traveling in the U.S, we recommend that you carry a copy of your passport and Form I-20 or DS-2019 with you. These documents are required to show proof of lawful legal presence in the United States. This is equally necessary (original copies), if you will be flying to another State within the United States.

For more information about the required documents for air travel please visit U.S Homeland Security - Transportation Security Administration.

Students traveling to Canada should check with the Canadian Embassy for Canadian visa requirement.

Students traveling to Mexico should check with the Mexican Embassy for Mexican visa requirement.

Adjacent Islands are:

• Saint Pierre
• Miquelon
• The Dominican Republic
• Haiti
• Bermuda
• The Bahamas
• Barbados
• Jamaica
• The Windward and Leeward Island
• Trinidad
• Martinique
• Other British, French, and Netherlands territory or possessions in or bordering on the Caribbean Sea

Automatic Revalidation of Visa

If your F-1 or J-1 visa has expired and you are planning to travel to Canada or Mexico or the adjacent Islands for less than 30 days, you may be eligible for automatic visa revalidation. You will be allowed to re-enter the U.S with your valid Form I-20 or DS-2019 (endorsed by the Immigration Specialist for travel), without applying for a new visa. Provided that:

• You did not apply for a new visa while in Canada,
• You did not apply for a new visa which was denied,
• You do not have a terminated I-20 or DS-2019
• You have been out of the country for less than 30 days
• You are not a citizen of the following countries:
  • Cuba
  • Iran
  • North Korea
  • Sudan
  • Syria
  • Myanmar

All international students who plan to travel outside the U.S. must have a valid passport, current I-20 or DS-2019, a valid U.S. visa and a travel signature. The passport must be valid at least six (6) months into the future. An expired passport can be renewed at your Home Country’s Embassy/Consulate within the United States.

A valid American visa is required to re-enter the United States. Renewal of visas can only be carried out at U.S. Embassies and Consulates outside the United States. Visa renewal is never possible in the United States.

A travel signature is also required on page two (2) your I-20 or page one (1) of your DS-2019. This signature is valid for six (6) months only.

Note: In the event that a student does not attend the scheduled MANDATORY travel Advisory sessions, and needs to sign Form I-20 for travel when the Designated School Officials are not available, the Form I-20 will be mailed to the student’s home country address by DHL and the charges placed on the student’s Banner account.

Note: Please be aware that this list of required and suggested documentation does not guarantee admission to the U.S. With increased security checks, you may have time delays, opened luggage, restrictions on carry-on baggage, or additional questions.