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Travel Tips

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Preparation

  1. F-1 Students and F-2 Dependents: Make sure your I-20 is endorsed for travel on page 3. This endorsement is valid for entry for 1 year.
  2. J-1 students and scholars, and J-2 dependents: Make sure your DS-2019 is signed for travel in the lower right corner. This endorsement is valid for 1 year.
  3. Check passport expiration. Your passport must be valid for 6 months in to the future upon entry to the U.S. Agreements between the U.S. and certain countries allow for less than 6 months. We recommend that you apply for extension of passport before it expires.
  4. If you will be applying for a visa stamp, check the instructions for the consulate where you will apply (http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/embassies/embassies_1214.html)
  5. Take a transcript.
  6. If on OPT, I-20 travel signature must be less than 6 months old; you must have EAD card; you must have an employment letter or offer letter.

Exiting the U.S.

  1. In general, if you are traveling to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean islands for 30 days or less, you will keep your I-94 card. See our detailed information here.
  2. If you are traveling elsewhere, you hand in your I-94 card upon exit.
  3. If you are subject to NSEERS (Special Registration), you MUST do the special NSEERS check out. Please see detailed information in the "Walkaway Materials" at http://www.ice.gov/graphics/specialregistration/index.htm. You must also only exit through certain airports and land sites, which are listed in the Walkaway Materials.
  4. Many airports and the Secondary Inspection units at land ports have a U.S. VISIT entry system. If you were checked in at a U.S. VISIT system, and the airport where you exit also has a U.S. VISIT exit system, you must check out through the U.S. VISIT exit system. Keep your receipt. As of 6/05, only O'Hare airport in Chicago and Baltimore airport have the exit systems. See detailed information at http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/content_multi_image/content_multi_image_0006.xml.

Application for U.S. Visa

  1. Applications for F or J visas must be made at U.S. consulates outside the U.S. It is not possible to apply for an F or J visa inside the U.S. Technically, it is possible to apply at U.S. consulates other than in your home country. However, it is best to apply in your home country.
  2. Check the procedures at the consulate where you will apply (http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/embassies/embassies_1214.html)
  3. Allow time for the process. There may be a wait for an interview. There may be a wait of several weeks for a security clearance. Estimates for visa wait times can be found at http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/wait/tempvisitors_wait.php
  4. Initial attendance F-1 visas can be issued up to 90 days before the report date on the I-20, but you can enter only 30 days before the report date on the I-20. This restriction does not exist for continuing students.
  5. If your visa is still valid, but you would like to apply for a new visa to extend the period, check with the consulate to see how long before the expiration they will accept an application.
  6. Some students may be subject to a $100 SEVIS fee (different from the visas fee). Information and payment procedures at: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/wait/tempvisitors_wait.php. Continuing students whose I-20s were issued before September 2004 are not required to pay the fee.

Entry to the U.S.

  1. Present passport valid for at least 6 months, your visa stamp, and your I-20 or DS-2019. You may also want to carry your financial documents.
  2. Students, scholars, and dependents who are citizens of Canada do not need a passport or visa stamp when entering from the Western Hemisphere by land or sea. Beginning January 8, 2007, Canadian citizens will need a passport or other document when arriving by air. Please see http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html for details. Canadian citizens will still not need a visa stamp. F or J visa status Canadians must present the I-20 or DS-2019 when entering. They should not "just enter" without F or J documents.
  3. If on OPT, you must have EAD card and employment letter or offer letter.
  4. Be a "good consumer". Before you leave the CBP official, check to make sure you have your passport. Make sure you have an I-94 which has the proper notation - F-1, F-2, J-1, or J-2. If it is not correct, have the officer make the correction there. And make sure you have your I-20. If it needs a stamp on it, make sure that has been done.
  5. USVISIT: If you get a receipt after having your fingerprints and picture taken, keep the receipt.
  6. If you are subject to NSEERS (Special Registration), make sure you have checked in.
  7. If you are making a new entry, with an "Initial Attendance" I-20, be sure to come to International Advising, 171 Kendall Hall, so we can make a copy of your I-20.

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