Documents needed for travel
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Introduction
Knowing what documents you need to bring for travel is important because American Federal laws have very specific document requirements for international students for traveling. If you don't meet the requirements, it is very likely that you will not be allowed to return to the U.S..
This section serves as guidelines on what documents international students need for different types of travel.
Reentry Into the U.S.
If you are a student who plans to visit your home country during a break and return to U.S. when new semester starts, here are the documents you will need:
- I-20 (F-1 visa holder) With Valid Travel Signature signed by your international student adviser
- DS-2019 (J-1 Exchange Visitors) With Valid Travel Signature: The DS-2019 must be signed by an adviser in International Student Services (ISS) (not an academic adviser, not a professor, not the football coach) before you leave the U.S. All students are required to obtain a travel signature that allows you to return to the U.S.
- Valid Passport: Your passport must be valid for at least six months when seeking admission or readmission to the United States, unless your country has an agreement with the United States. For a list of countries under this agreement, see the list on the Immigration Customs Enforcement website. Your passport should remain valid throughout your stay in the U.S.
- Valid U.S. Visa
- Financial evidence: You must carry evidence detailing the source and amount of your funding.
- Your current class schedule
- Your SEVIS I-901 Fee Receipt
Explanations of the above items can be found at:
Entry Into Another Country
If you want to travel to another country. Before you leave the United States, contact the consulate of the country to be visited to inquire about visa and travel procedures. You will need to select the country you want to visit from the drop-down menu on the right-hand side:
If you plan to visit Canada, go to the Canadian Government's Visit Canda page to determine if you need a visa to enter Canada. Also look at the Requirements for Travel to Canada for more information.
Travel After Completion of Studies
F-1 students: If you travel outside the U.S. after completing your studies you may return to the U.S. in F-1 status provided you are in possession of:
- A new 1-20 indicating a new program of study, passport, visa and evidence of financial support.
OR
- An Employment Authorization Document (EAD), I-20 endorsed for OPT and signed for travel within the last six months, proof of employment, passport and visa.
J-1 students: If you travel outside the U.S. after completing your studies you may return to the U.S. in J-1 status provided you are in possession of either:
- A new DS-2019 indicating a new program of study, passport, visa, and evidence of financial support.
OR
- A DS-2019 endorsed for Academic Training and signed for travel within the last twelve months, proof of employment, passport and visa.
Note: Students who complete studies have a "grace period" during which they may prepare to depart the United States. The grace period for F-1 students is 60 days. (F-1 students on practical training must depart the U.S. within 60 days of the EAD card's expiration date.) The grace period for J-1 students is 30 days. Students who leave the U.S. during the grace period will not be permitted to return to the U.S. in F-1 or J-1 status, except as noted above.
Travel and OPT
F1-students:
If your pre-completion OPT application is pending or approved, you may travel and reenter the U.S.
If your post-completion OPT application is pending, you may travel and re-enter the U.S.
After graduation, if your post-completion OPT has been approved and your EAD issued, you may not re-enter the U.S. unless you have evidence of employment. You should carry the following documents with you:
- I-20 signed for travel by an international student adviser within the last 6 months
- EAD card
- Valid passport
- Unexpired F-1 visa (unless returning from a short trip to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean)
- Evidence of employment in your field of study (letter of employment, written job offer)