Spring Break Travel Reminder

Spring Break is approaching, and the International Center wishes you an enjoyable and relaxing break! Since you may have planned either international or domestic travel during the break, here are some considerations to keep in mind.

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

Please remember that there are always some risks to international travel, since admission or re-admission to the U.S. is at the discretion of the Port of Entry officials.

• As a reminder, if you have had any encounters with law enforcement (arrests, charges, convictions), travel is not recommended since you might not be able to re-enter the U.S.
• Travel restrictions (travel bans) are in effect for 39 designated countries and holders of Palestinian Authority travel documents. If you are from one of the designated countries, please consult with an International Center adviser before planning any international travel.
• If you will need a new visa to re-enter the United States, remember that Spring Break generally does not allow sufficient time for a visa application.

IF YOU DO PLAN TO TRAVEL INTERNATIONALLY:

• If you do plan to leave and re-enter the U.S. during Spring Break, be sure you have all the re-entry documents listed at Re-entry to the U.S.
• If you need a new travel signature, use the travel signature request in M-Passport as soon as possible. Please allow for 1-2 weeks processing time for all requests made in M-Passport, including travel signatures. If you request a new travel signature, remember that you do not need to download your signed I-20 or DS-2019 before you leave, but you must download, print and sign it before you re-enter the U.S. Please keep your printed document with you when you re-enter the U.S., not in checked luggage.
• Please keep in mind that a travel signature is valid for one year, or up to the I-20/DS-2019 end date, whichever is sooner. (Exception: for F-1 students on OPT, I-20 travel signatures are valid for 6 months only.) The same travel signature may be used for multiple trips during its validity period.
• If you are taking a cruise for Spring Break, the cruise officials may want to see your printed and signed I-20/DS-2019 BEFORE you board. Make sure you have all of the documents needed to re-enter the U.S. before boarding your cruise.
• U-M students, staff, and current faculty traveling abroad are encouraged to register their travel.

DOMESTIC TRAVEL

• In the Ann Arbor area: You should always have your most recent I-94 record available. By law, foreign nationals 18 years and older are required to carry proof of their immigration status ("registration") with them. Your most recent I-94 serves as this registration. Either save a screenshot of your most recent I-94 (please note, this is a different document from the I-94 travel history) on your phone or carry a printout. We recommend carrying a printout if you do not wish to give your phone to law enforcement or immigration officials.
• Some distance from Ann Arbor: you should bring the following original documents on your trip:
  • Passport
  • I-20 or DS-2019 (printed and signed)
  • Printout or screenshot on your phone of your electronic most recent I-94. Your most recent I-94 is your "registration document" which by regulation you should always have with you. With increased security precautions, particularly at airports, you should ensure you are in compliance.

During Spring Break, the International Center will be open during our normal business hours. If you need assistance when the office is closed, (for example, you are being detained at the border), contact the University of Michigan Police Department at 734-763-1131.