F-1 Travel
Whether you’re traveling within the United States or internationally, careful planning
is key to a smooth and stress-free journey. Ensuring that all your travel documentation
is accurate, up-to-date, and readily accessible will help you avoid unexpected complications.
When traveling internationally, verify visa requirements for your destination, including
processing and wait times at the relevant embassy or consulate. Make sure your travel
plans allow adequate time for any necessary approvals. Additionally, be aware of the
reentry requirements for returning to the U.S., including proof of admissibility to
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
For domestic travel, carry essential identification and documents related to your
visa status to ensure compliance with any local or federal requirements.
Documents Needed For Travel
When returning to the U.S. after traveling abroad, you must be prepared to demonstrate
your admissibility to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Click on the section below that applies to your situation for more information.
F-1 Enrolled Student
- Unexpired passport valid until at least 6 months into the future
- Unexpired F-1 visa (Canadians are exempt from visa requirement)
- If your visa has expired, or will expire during your trip, review our Applying for a U.S. Visa page for tips and resources.
- Under certain circumstances, a nonimmigrant (F-1/F-2 or J-1/J-2 may re-enter the U.S.
with an expired visa provided that they meet the eligibility requirements for Automatic Revalidation.
- Unexpired I-20 with valid travel endorsement signature. The signature on page 2 must be less than 12 months old on the date you
return.
- Learn how to get a travel signature.
- Be sure to also check your program end date on page 1 and ensure it will remain valid
beyond your re-entry.
- Recommended: SEVIS Fee Receipt. Look under "Check I-901 Status"
- Recommended: Proof of enrollment which can be a transcript, enrollment verification
or print out from SOLAR showing current enrollment.
- Recommended: Proof of funding (copy of letter offering you an assistantship, financial
documentation provided for the issuance of your I-20, etc.)
F-1 Student on OPT
- Unexpired passport valid until at least 6 months into the future
- Unexpired F-1 visa (Canadians are exempt from visa requirement)
- If your visa has expired, or will expire during your trip, review our Applying for a U.S. Visa page for tips and resources.
- Under certain circumstances, a nonimmigrant (F-1/F-2 or J-1/J-2 may re-enter the U.S.
with an expired visa provided that they meet the eligibility requirements for Automatic Revalidation.
- Unexpired I-20 with valid travel endorsement signature. The signature on page 2 must be less than 6 months old on the date you
return.
- Valid Employment Authorization Document (EAD card)
- Job offer letter or letter confirming current employment - be sure that this employment
is reflected in the SEVP Portal. If you have not reported this employment, please
review the Maintaining status on Post-OPT or Maintaining Status on STEM OPT to learn more.
- We strongly recommend that you review this additional information on travel while
on OPT for more specific considerations such as travel with a pending OPT, applying
for a visa, unemployment, Cap Gap situations and more.
F-2 Dependent
- F-2 dependent's unexpired passport valid at least 6 months into the future
- F-2 dependent's unexpired visa (Canadians are exempt from visa requirement)
- F-2 dependent's unexpired I-20 with valid travel signature. The travel signature on page 2 is valid for 12 months if the F-1 principal is a
currently-enrolled student, 6 months if the F-1 principal is on OPT.
- If traveling without the F-1 principal: Copy of F-1 immigration documents, including
passport, I-20 and most recent I-94 arrival record as evidence of their F-1 status
in the U.S.
- If the F-1 is on OPT, we also recommend carrying proof of F-1's employment (job offer
letter, employment letter, etc.) and a copy of the F-1's Employment Authorization
Document (EAD card)
- Recommended: Proof of financial funding
Important Travel Considerations
"5 Month Rule"
Remaining outside the United States for more than five months at a time may be considered
a "permanent" absence by the U.S. government. This could affect your ability to re-enter
the U.S. with your current I-20 and visa, as well as your eligibility for future immigration
benefits.
If you plan to remain abroad for an extended period, consult with an International
Student Advisor before finalizing your travel plans. Students not authorized for Study/Research Abroad may be advised to close their SEVIS record and end their F-1 status until their return
to the U.S.
Communication While Abroad
You MUST have a way to read/access your SBU email when you are in your home country/while
abroad. This is especially true for students that live in a country with a firewall.
Not being able to access your emails can have negative impacts on your immigration
status, as important updates are sent to you with this method.
Taking a Leave of Absence
We understand emergencies happen and situations may arise that require you to take
an extended unplanned break from campus or from your academic work. If an emergency
requires you to travel outside of the United States, contact an academic department
or your graduate program director and an international student adviser about the situation
before leaving the United States. Visit our Leave of Absence to find out how this may impact your legal status and how to prepare for your return.
Frequently Asked Questions
I want to travel to Canada, what do I need to know?
Canada has its own immigration rules and requirements. Many students will need a
Canadian Visa before traveling to Canada.
What should I expect at the Port of Entry?
Upon arrival at a U.S. international airport, seaport, or land border crossing, all
persons, including U.S. citizens, are subject to inspection by U.S. Customs and Border
Protection (CBP). Anyone seeking to lawfully enter the U.S. must establish their admissibility
to the satisfaction of the CBP officer.
You must present your passport, visa, and other supporting documents. The CBP officer
will review your travel documents to confirm your identity and nationality, and ask
questions about your visit to the U.S. Most nonimmigrants will have their digital
finger prints and photograph taken. If you are determined admissible, the CBP officer
may place an admission stamp in your passport, specifying the date of entry, the visa
class, and the duration of admission and will issue an electronic I-94.
For most travelers, the screening process takes no more than a few minutes.
I forgot to get a travel signature or I forgot/lost my I-20/DS-2019. What should I
do?
If the travel endorsement signature on your I-20 (page 2) has expired please complete
the appropriate Travel Signature Request form in accessVIS.
If there is not enough time before your flight or trip to receive the updated I-20
we recommend that you change your flight date/travel plans to allow time for VIS to
get a new I-20 to you. If that is not possible, you can choose to attempt to enter
the U.S. without a valid travel signature, however, this is risky and not recommended.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers may deny entry into the United States
if:
- You do not have a valid travel signature on your I-20/DS-2019.
- Your F-1 visa has expired and you are not eligible for Automatic Revalidation.
- You have not paid the I-901 SEVIS Fee on your current I-20.
- Your Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record is terminated,
canceled, or completed.
CBP officers can also decide to permit your entry to the U.S. by issuing an I-515A.
Please read the information below about I-515As. Again, our strong recommendation
is that you prepare ahead of time and receive a travel endorsement before your planned
re-entry to the U.S.
CBP issued me a Form I-515A. What should I do?
Rather than deny your entry to the U.S., the CBP officer has the discretion to issue
you a Form I-515A. This document allows you to enter the U.S. and remain in the U.S.
for 30 days. To remain in the U.S. beyond 30 days, and to maintain your F-1 status,
you must submit required documents to SEVP within 30 days of arriving in the U.S.
It is extremely important that you contact VIS for advise on completing the I-515.
In many cases we must issue a new I-20/DS-2019 before you can submit the documents
to SEVP.
If you fail to complete any required actions or send all of the required documents
to SEVP within 30 days of entering the U.S., your SEVIS record and I-20 may be terminated.
If your SEVIS record and I-20 are terminated, you will be required to leave the U.S.
immediately or file for Reinstatement to F-1 status with USCIS, if eligible.
Learn about violation of status
Do I need a valid visa to visit Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands or the Northern
Mariana Islands?
Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands are part of the United States. You
should carry your valid passport and valid immigration documents when you travel there,
as you should with any travel in the United States. However, if you go from Puerto
Rico or the United States Virgin Islands to other islands, then you are leaving the
United States and will need to formally re-enter and a valid visa will be required,
unless you qualify for Automatic Revalidation.
