International Travel
Reminder: If you are traveling to a country other than your home country please be sure to check if a visa is necessary for entry.
FOR F-1 & J-1 STUDENTS
To request a travel signature, complete the Travel Signature Request on the ISSS Portal. Processing time is 5-7 business days. You will be notified once your request is processed. A travel signature is valid for one year unless the F-1 student is on Optional Practical Training (OPT), and in that case, the travel signature is valid for 6 months.
All F-1 and J-1 students should download the electronic I-94 admission record upon reentry and ensure that they are admitted in either F-1 or J-1 status with an end date of D/S. If you are admitted in a different visa category, or if the end date on the I-94 has anything listed other than D/S, contact your assigned ISSS advisor immediately.
F-1 Students: Your new I-20 will be uploaded electronically to your ISSS Portal record.
J-1 Students: You will be contacted to schedule a DS-2019 pick up or mailing.
Click here for travel tips from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement office.
An F-1/J-1 student pursuing a full course of study wishing to leave the U.S. and return after a temporary absence of five months or less may do so with the following:
- Valid passport
- Valid F-1/J-1 Visa (unless exempt from the visa requirements)
- Form I-20/DS-2019 properly endorsed for travel by ISSS
F-1 Students on Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT)
An F-1 student in their last semester who has applied for post-completion OPT may travel outside the U.S. and return after a temporary absence with a valid passport, valid visa, and valid form I-20 endorsed for travel.
An F-1 student who is engaged in OPT after completion of their degree who travels outside the U.S. temporarily (less than 5 months) can be readmitted to resume employment for the remainder of the OPT period authorized on the EAD card, with the following documents:
- Valid passport and F-1 Visa
- Form I-20 signed for travel by ISSS within the last 6 months
- An unexpired EAD card (OPT approval card)
- Letter of employment to prove resuming employment
F-2 and J-2 Dependents must also have their I-20/DS-2019 endorsed for travel
FOR J-1 SCHOLARS
If you are a J-1 scholar/professor/specialist, you should also obtain a signature from ISSS. To request a travel signature, complete the Travel Signature Request on the ISSS Portal. Processing time is 5-7 business days. Once processed, you will be contacted to schedule a DS-2019 pick up or mailing request.
The DS-2019 travel endorsement signatures are valid for up to one year.
To reenter the U.S. you should have the following in hand:
- Valid passport
- Valid Visa
- DS-2019 signed for travel within last year
- Recent pay-stub and/or letter of employment from department
J-2 dependents must also have their DS-2019 endorsed for travel.
All J-1 scholars should download the electronic I-94 admission record upon reentry and ensure that they are admitted in J-1 status with an end date of D/S. If you are admitted in a different visa category, or if the end date on the I-94 has anything listed other than D/S, contact your assigned ISSS advisor immediately.