Whether you are taking a weekend trip to Canada or preparing for a flight to your home abroad for a family event, OISA is here to help make certain your travel documents are in order for your return to Emerson after international travel.
This guidance is for continuing international students in F-1 and J-1 status preparing for temporary travel out of the U.S. with a plan to return to the U.S. to resume enrollment at Emerson College. The advisory does not cover all international travel scenarios, and students with specific questions are advised to schedule an appointment with an OISA advisory for additional clarification.
The guidance covers requirements for reentry to the U.S. only. You must also be aware of visa and entry requirements for any destination or transit countries to which you will travel.
Travel Outside the U.S. During Program of Study
If you leave the U.S. during your program of study, you will need the following documents to return to the U.S. in F-1 status:
- A valid passport
- A valid F-1 visa stamp
- Current F-1 Form I-20 that has been signed for travel by an authorized OISA staff member. Only a Designated School Official (DSO) OISA is authorized to sign a Form I-20. Only an F-1 Designated School Official (DSO) OISA is authorized to sign a Form I-20. Only a J-1 Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) is authorized to sign Form DS-2019.
The F-1 or J-1 visa stamp in your passport must be valid on the day you will re-enter the U.S. in order for you to be eligible to re-enter the U.S. student immigration status.
If your visa will expire before the date of your return, you must apply for a new visa at a U.S. consulate or embassy while you are out of the U.S. We would advise against leaving the U.S. for a short trip with an expired F-1 or J-1 visa or passport if you will not have sufficient time to renew your document before your return.
A “travel signature” on your Form I-20 or DS-2019 is generally valid for one year. You may request a more updated travel signature (six months prior to your expected date of return) if you intend to apply for a new visa during your trip abroad.
Travel Outside the U.S. After Completion of Studies
If you are traveling out of the U.S. after the date you officially complete your program of studies, you may not be eligible to return in F-1 status unless you have applied for and been an been approved for Optional Practical Training (OPT) or have a new I-20 to attend a new program of study. J-1 students who have completed their program of study, must have been approved for post-completion Academic Training (AT).
To return to the U.S. during F-1 OPT, you will need to present:
- A valid passport
- A valid F-1 visa stamp
- Current form I-20 that has been signed for travel on page 2 by an authorized OISA staff member within six months of your expected date of reentry.
- Your approved Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
- [Recommended] Proof of a job offer in your major field of study.
To return to the U.S. during post-completion J-1 Academic Training you will need to present:
- A valid passport
- A valid J-1 visa stamp
- Current Form DS-2019 reflecting the end date of your Academic Training, and that has been signed for travel by an authorized OISA staff member within twelve months of your expected date of reentry.
- J-1 AT Authorization Letter
Preparing for CBP Inspection
When you arrive at the U.S. port of entry, you will present your documents to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to request admission to the U.S. in F-1 (or J-1) student status, as applicable. As you request admission to the U.S. in F-1 status, be well prepared for immigration and customs inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP):
- Print out a paper copy of your electronic F-1 Form I-20 (or J-1 Form DS-2019). While you may have received your Form I-20 or DS-2019 electronically via email attachment, you must print a hard copy (paper copy) to carry with you and present to CBP.
- Carry your immigration documents in your hand luggage. You will pass immigration inspection before retrieving your checked bags. Be sure you have your Form I-20 or DS-2019 and other support documents with you in your hand luggage.
- In addition to immigration requirements, pay attention to U.S. customs restrictions, including banned substances and currency reporting. See: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/clearing-cbp
Frequency Asked Questions
How do I know if my visa is valid for my reentry to the US?
The F-1 or J-1 student visa stamp in your passport must be valid on the day you will reenter the U.S. in order for you to be eligible to return in student immigration status. If your visa will expire before the date of your return, you must apply for a new visa at a U.S. consulate or embassy while you are out of the U.S.
If your visa has expired and you are planning a short trip to Canada, Mexico or the adjacent islands, you may be eligible to travel with automatic visa revalidation.
What should I keep in mind if I’m graduating or my I-20 or DS-2019 is expiring?
If you are planning to graduate at the end of the current term or if your I-20 or DS-2019 is expiring, then you may need to take steps with OISA before you depart the U.S. You may have difficulty returning to the U.S. in F-1 or J-1 student status if your classes are done and you have no further academic activities to complete at Emerson. If you plan to request an I-20 extension, transfer to another school, or apply for post-completion OPT, you should do this before you leave so that your I-20 correctly reflects your future academic intentions upon your return.
What is a travel signature?
- A travel signature is a signature from an OISA official on page 2 of your F-1 Form I-20 or page 1 of your J-1 DS-2019 certifying that you are in good standing with Emerson College and expected to return after your travel.
- A signature is generally valid for one year, and can be used for multiple trips abroad. (A signature is valid for six months only for F-1 students on approved F-1 Optional Practical Training.)
- You need to have a valid travel signature on the date you reenter the U.S. after international travel.
Do I need a travel signature?
Check to see if there is a valid travel signature on page 2 of your I-20 or page 1 of your DS-2019 (within one year for continuing F-1 and J-1 students, or within six months for F-1 students on OPT).
If you already have a valid travel signature, then you do not need a new one! A travel signature is considered valid if it is dated no more than one year before the date you expect to return to the U.S. A more recent travel signature is recommended if you will renew your visa on this trip abroad.
How can I request a travel signature?
You can request an I-20 travel signature in the Control Center of your Terra Dotta record.
Please allow 2-3 business days for OISA processing of travel signature requests. Remember: you do not need a travel signature to depart the U.S. but will need one on the day you reenter the U.S.
While the travel signature is given electronically, please make sure to print this new I-20 or DS-2019 so you have a physical copy when you enter the U.S. and keep it for your records along with any past I-20 or DS-2019 copies you may have.
What should I do after I return to the U.S.?
When you arrive in the U.S. by air or sea, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will electronically update your I-94 entry record to reflect the immigration status in which you were admitted and the length of lawful stay that you have been granted. For F-1 or J-1 students and your F-2 or J-2 dependents, your electronic record should reflect your correct status for “D/S” (duration of status).
Each time you reenter the U.S. it is important to check your electronic I-94 record to make certain it is correct. Errors to your admission status or length of stay can jeopardize your ability to study, work and remain lawfully in the U.S.
If you discover an error to your passport stamp or your electronic I-94 record, come to OISA immediately during an appointment or walk-in hours to discuss how this can be corrected.
See: Correcting my I–94
Questions? As always, please contact your OISA staff for questions about travel, visa renewal, and reentry to the U.S.