Travel

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There are many things to consider prior to traveling as an F-1 or J-1 student. If you have any questions, or hold another visa category, be sure to consult an OIS advisor prior to departing the USA.

Travel Outside USA - planning to re-enter USA to continue your studies

• If you plan to travel outside the USA, to re-enter you will need the following:
  1. Updated I-20 or validated DS-2019 within the past 6 months: BEFORE you leave the USA always bring your original I-20 or DS-2019 to OIS for updating! Please make sure you're registered full-time for the next fall or winter term prior to requesting an update.
  2. All I-20's or DS-2019's you have had
  3. Proof of financial resources indicated on your I-20
  4. Passport which is valid at least 6 months later than your anticipated return date
  5. Visa stamp in your passport which is valid for re-entry on your anticipated return date (see below, if your visa is expired

• Remember to turn in your I-94 card as you depart the US

• If you are an NSEERS registrant (have a FIN#) don't forget to leave enough time for your exit interview at your last port of departure.
• It is your responsibility to determine if the country you plan to visit requires a valid visa for you to enter

WARNINGS:
! ANY time you leave the USA, there is no guarantee you will be allowed to return
! If you have applied for an extension of stay or change of status, these procedures must be completed before travelling outside the USA

Travel Outside USA - with an expired visa
If your F1 visa is expired, you may not need to obtain a new visa if you plan a short trip (less than 30 days) to another country in North America. This is called Automatic Revalidation of an expired visa. The following conditions apply:

• Your trip must be limited to Canada, Mexico or an adjacent island*
  
• Your trip must be less than 30 days in length
  
• To re-enter the USA you must have:
  o a passport valid 6 months into the future
  o an updated I-20 or validated DS-2019 within the past 6 months
  o your original I-94 card from when you last entered the USA … make sure you do NOT give this up when leaving the USA upon your departure.
  o expired F-1 or J-1 visa OR proof of a visa change of status to F-1 or J-1

WARNINGS:
! If you apply for a new US Visa during your stay outside the country, you are NOT eligible for Automatic Revalidation
! ANY time you leave the USA, there is no guarantee you will be allowed to return
! If you have applied for an extension of stay or change of status, these procedures must be completed before traveling outside the USA
! If you are a citizen of Iraq, Iran, Syria, Sudan, North Korea, or Cuba, you are not eligible for Automatic Revalidation.

*Adjacent islands include Saint Pierre, Miquelon, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, the Windward and Leeward Islands, Trinidad, Martinique, and other British, French, and Netherlands territories or possessions in or bordering on the Caribbean Sea. [Source: INA § 101(b)(5)]

Travel Inside USA

Whenever you are within the USA you are required to have your passport (with visa stamp), I-94 and I-20 or DS-2019 with you.

Office of International Students is a part of the EMU

Division of Student Affairs