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.
Key Considerations for International Travel and a Return to the U.S.
- Are your passport and F-1 or J-1 student visa valid for your return to the U.S.?
- Do you have a printed copy of your most recent I-20 or DS-2019 with your valid travel signature from OISA (if required)?
- Have you reviewed the entry/visa for your destination and transit countries and for your return to the U.S.?
Your passport should be valid for a minimum of 6 months into the future.
The F-1 or J-1 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 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 US for a short trip if your F-1 (or J-1) visa or passport has expired if you will not have sufficient time to renew your document before your return.
If you are a returning student, you will need a valid travel signature on your I-20 (or DS-2019) to re-enter the U.S. Travel signatures are generally valid for 12 months (6 months for students on F-1 OPT). Students traveling with a new “initial” I-20 or DS-2019 to begin a new program of study do not need a travel signature on page 2 of their document until after they have arrived at Emerson and begun their program of study.
The guidance on this page is for international students in F-1 and J-1 status at Emerson College:
The information does not cover all international travel scenarios. Students with specific questions are advised to schedule an appointment with an OISA advisory for additional clarification.
The guidance covers requirements for entry to the U.S. only. You must research the visa and entry requirements for each destination or transit country to which you will travel. Emerson OISA is not able to advise about the entry requirements to other countries.
Initial Entry to U.S. In F-1 or J-1 Status
If you are a first-time international student starting your program of study at Emerson College you will be given an “Initial” I-20 for study in F-1 status or a DS-2019 for study as a J-1 exchange student.
An “initial” I-20 may also be given to students returning to Emerson after a leave of absence or after traveling abroad to change status or regain lawful status. Students with an “initial” status may enter the U.S. up to 30 days prior to the Program Start Date reflected on their I-20 or DS-2019.
Make certain you have your immigration documents packed in your hand luggage so that they are easily accessible:
- Valid Passport with an expiration date at least 6 months into the future
- Valid F-1 visa (Canadian citizens are visa exempt)
- Emerson Form I-20 or J-1 Form DS-2019: no I-20 travel signature (on page 2) is required on your “initial” status I-20 until after you have arrived in the U.S.
- Also suggested: I-901 SEVIS Fee Receipt
Review the information below on preparing for CBP Inspection and make sure to complete your required SEVIS Check-In upon arrival at Emerson to “activate” your SEVIS record.
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 or J-1 status to resume your study at Emerson College.
- A valid passport
- A valid F-1 visa stamp
- Current F-1 Form I-20 or J-1 Form DS-2019 that has been signed for travel by an authorized OISA staff member within the past 12 months
For continuing students, a travel signature is valid for one year and can be used for multiple trips abroad. You can submit a Travel Signature Request in the Control Center of your Terra Dotta record.
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.
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 your 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.
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 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, may not be able to leave the U.S. and return unless they 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 with an expiration date at least 6 months into the future
- A valid F-1 visa stamp (Canadian citizens are visa exempt)
- 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 with an expiration date at least 6 months into the future
- A valid F-1 visa stamp (Canadian citizens are visa exempt)
- 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 or J-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 addition to immigration requirements, pay attention to U.S. customs restrictions, including banned substances and currency reporting. See: cbp.gov/travel/clearing-cbp
Renewing My F-1 Visa
Learn more about renewing your visa.
Travel Under “Automatic Visa Revalidation”
In limited circumstances, F-1 and J-1 students and other non-immigrants to the U.S. may be eligible to travel with an expired U.S. visa to Canada, Mexico or adjacent islands under Automatic Visa Revalidation.
To be eligible, (1) travel must be solely to Canada, Mexico or adjacent islands and for 30 days or less, (2) the non-immigrant must have a valid (unexpired) Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record, endorsed by DHS, and (3) the traveler cannot apply for a new U.S. visa while in Canada, Mexico or the adjacent islands, and cannot have a pending or denied visa application.
Use of “automatic visa validation” is not available to nationals from certain countries, to students who have traveled to Cuba, or who have traveled to other countries outside of Canada, Mexico or the adjacent islands. Please make sure to read the full details prior to attempting travel under this provision.
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.