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Traveling outside of the U.S.

Documents for re-entry into the U.S.

Make sure that you have access to the following before you depart the U.S.  You will need them in order to reenter the U.S.  If you are missing any of these documents, please contact the IPO.

Mandatory documents

  • Current student document:
    • F-1 students - current form I-20 with travel signature on page 3 less than 1 year old when you return or 
    • J-1 students - current form DS-2019 with travel signature less than 6 months old when you return
  • Passport valid at least 6 months into the future from the day you return to the US
  • Unexpired F-1/J-1 visa (except for F-1 Canadian nationals)
  • I-901 receipt (if available)

Recommended documents

  • Current financial support documentation
  • Proof of registration for current or upcoming semester
  • Copy of transcript
  • The IPO's contact information

Students on OPT

Students with pending OPT applications who wish to travel internationally, should contact IPO to discuss the potential risks of traveling with a pending OPT application. Once OPT is approved, please carry the following items with you when you travel internationally: 

  • Valid passport with valid U.S F-1 visa
  • I-20 with travel signature within six months
  • EAD card issued by USCIS
  • Confirmation of employment (recommended)

Travel to Canada for non-Canadian international students

  • When traveling to Canada, you may need a Canadian visitor's visa, depending on your country of citizenship.  It could also depend on whether you are flying or arriving by land.  Check the Government of Canada website to see if you need a visa.
  • Automatic extension of visa validity: In some circumstances, students with expired US F-1/J-1 visa stamps in their passports may visit Canada, Mexico or the Adjacent Islands for brief time (30 days or shorter) and be allowed to re-enter the United States. This is called Automatic Extension of Visa Validity. To be eligible for this, you must meet all of the following requirements:
    • You have a valid I-94 marked "D/S" by Customs and Border Protection
    • You are in valid student status and are returning to continue that status.
    • You have a Form DS-2019 that is valid and has a current signature by the RO/ARO (DS-2019)
    • You are returning after an absence of no more than 30 days and only have been in Canada, Mexico or the Adjacent Islands (other than Cuba)
    • You have a valid passport
    • You have not applied for a new visa during the trip
    • You have not been declared inadmissible or have had a visa canceled due to a violation
    • You are not a citizen of a country that has been designated as a "state sponsor of terrorism" (Currently Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, and Syria).
  • If you plan to re-enter the US under this benefit, be sure to connect with the IPO before you leave for the most current information.