The following travel advisory information is intended for F-1/J-1 status holders and F-2/J-2 dependents only.
Required Documents for Travel
F-1 and J-1 students should have the following documents when traveling internationally:
- Passport (valid for six months after you plan to re-enter the U.S.)
- Valid F-1 or J-1 visa in your passport (this requirement does not apply to Canadian citizens). F-2 or J-2 dependents need a valid F-2 or J-2 visa.
- I-20 or DS-2019 (with a travel signature no older than 12 months)
- The signature must be less than one year old on the day you will re-enter the U.S. If your I-20 or DS-2019 does not have a travel signature or if your travel signature will be more than one year old upon return to the US, then you should log into the M-Passport portal and submit a request for one. *F-1 students on post-completion OPT and STEM OPT must have a travel signature no older than six months.
- I-20 Travel Signature Request for F-1 Students
To request official I-20 authorization to re-enter from a trip outside the U.S, please log in to the M-Passport portal, click on Requests > Travel Signature, and follow the instructions from there.
- DS-2019 Travel Signature Request for J-1 Students
To request official DS-2019 authorization to re-enter from a trip outside the U.S., please log in to the M-Passport portal, click on Requests > DS-2019 Reprint or Travel Signature, and follow the instructions from there.
Actions to Take After Re-entry
Check and save your Most Recent I-94 after every entry. All F and J students, scholars, and dependents should download and review their I-94 immediately after every entry into the U.S. For F and J status holders (including students, scholars, and dependents), the I-94 is your primary proof of legal status and how long you are authorized to stay in the U.S.
By law, foreign nationals aged 18 and older must carry proof of their immigration status ("registration") at all times while in the US. Your Most Recent I-94 fulfills this requirement. You can save a screenshot on your phone for convenience, or carry a paper copy (using the "print" button on the CBP results page) if you prefer not to hand over your phone.
