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FAQs: Travel FAQs

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  1. What do I do before I leave the U.S.?
  2. What do I do outside the U.S. before I re-enter the U.S.?
  3. What do I take with me when I apply for a visa?
  4. I am applying for a visa, and the consulate told me I need to make sure I am entered on the SEVIS system. How do I do this?
  5. I had to register for Special Registration. What do I do?

What do I do before I leave the U.S.? (top)

Endorse Documents:

If you are an F-1 student, you apply to International Advising for endorsement of your SEVIS I-20. Endorsements are valid for one year, as long as you are in status and a UNT student. Endorsements during OPT are valid for 6 months.

If you are a J-1 student, you will apply to your sponsor for DS-2019 endorsement. Check in #2 on your DS-2019 to find your sponsor. If your sponsor is UNT, consult International Advising.

The request form for Travel Endorsement Request is available here . Please print and fill it out. Submit it to International Advising with your I-20 or DS-2019. If there are no problems, it would be ready at 2 p.m. the next workday. This endorsement verifies you have maintained your status, and affirms our recommendation to the U.S. to continue your program. Your passport and visa stamp must be valid beyond the date you plan to re-enter the U.S. We ask that you apply 2 weeks ahead for the SEVIS I-20 or DS-2019 endorsement. This allows time if there should be a problem.

Dependents will each have their own SEVIS document, and will also need an endorsement.

Complete the procedures for Travel to Mexico or Travel to Canada , if applicable, or to apply for visas to enter a third country as described below:

Consult the Embassy or Consulate of the country you wish to enter to determine if you do need a visa to enter that country. They can also give you application information. You will need to have your I-20 or DS-2019 endorsed before you apply.

Guidelines for travel when applying for a visa in Canada and Mexico change frequently. Please check with International Advising.

As of 5/03, automatic revalidation is available if the student or scholar has not applied for a visa in Canada or Mexico. Also, students or scholars who are nationals of a country on the list of countries sponsoring terrorism are not eligible. Detailed information on automatic extension (or revalidation) . If you have any questions about this, please contact an advisor before traveling. The links listed below can give you contact information.

U.S. Embassy websites
http://travel.state.gov/links.html

Embassies in Washington, D.C.
http://www.embassy.org

Embassies Using Escapeartist
http://www.escapeartist.com/embassy1/embassy1.htm

Gather documents you will need to re-enter:

  • Valid passport
  • Check validity of visa
  • Endorsed I-20 or DS-2019
  • Optional (but recommended) documents:
    • Transcript
    • Financial documents
    • Letter of employment for OPT students and J-1 scholars
    • Enrollment letter
  • If you will need a new visa stamp, check consulate website for required items. http://travel.state.gov/links.html

What do I do outside the U.S. before I re-enter the U.S.? (top)

If your visa stamp is still valid, you will not need to apply for a new visa stamp.

If you do not yet have an F-1/J-1 visa stamp, you will need to apply to a U.S. Consulate for the visa stamp.  If your visa stamp will be expired when you plan to enter the U.S., you will also need to obtain a new visa stamp before entering the U.S.  F-2/J-2 dependents must also have valid visa stamps to enter.

As of 5/03, the consulate in Cuidad Juarez has resumed processing visa applications for third country applicants under certain circumstances.  The applicant must not have entered the U.S. on a visitor's visa, must have obtained the original visa in the home country, and must be in status.

Please plan adequate time on your trip to obtain a visa stamp if you will need it.  This situation changes frequently.  Please check with an advisor.

You can link to the U.S. Embassy web sites through http://travel.state.gov/links.html for detailed information. 

Note exceptions for Canadian citizens:

  • Entering from the Western Hemisphere: Canadians do not need to have passports or visa stamps.  They do need to have an I-20/DS-2019.
  • Entering from outside the Western Hemisphere: Canadians need to have a passport, but do not need to have a visa stamp.

What do I take with me when I apply for a visa? (top)

  • Endorsed I-20 or DS-2019, or Initial Attendance I-20 or DS-2019.
  • Valid passport
  • Financial documentation
  • Transcripts if a student
  • Consult consulate web page for a list of other items needed at that consulate. http://usembassy.state.gov/

I am applying for a visa, and the consulate told me I need to make sure I am entered on the SEVIS system. How do I do this? (top)

If you have a valid  I-20 or a DS-2019 with a bar code in the upper right corner, you have been entered into the SEVIS system.

If you do not yet have your document, please contact  International Admissions if you are a new student, or International Advising if you are a continuing student or visiting scholar.

I had to register for Special Registration. What do I do? (top)

  • You can only leave and re-enter through certain ports of entry - airports and land crossings.  Check the list before buying your plane ticket.
  • You MUST check out before you leave the U.S.  If you do not, you most likely will not be able to get back into the U.S.
  • You MUST check in at the port of entry when you come back.
  • All this very important information can be found at http://www.ice.gov/pi/specialregistration/index.htm under the "Walkaway Materials".  If you scroll down far enough, you will find the ports of entry and the place in the port of entry where you check in or out.

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