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International Students and Scholars

Planning to Travel?

Planning International Travel or Going Home for Summer?

Before traveling abroad it is important to review the following information to be certain you have all necessary signatures and documents.

Travel on a School break

  1. Valid passport (must be valid for at least 6 months into the future)
  2. Valid/unexpired F-1/J-1 visa stamp (Canadian and Bermudian citizens are exempt)
  3. Valid I-20 or DS-2019 endorsed with a current travel signature (issued within 12 months prior to your return)

Travel while on OPT (F-1) and AT( J-1)

  1. Valid passport (must be valid for at least 6 months into the future)
  2. Valid/unexpired F-1/J-1 visa stamp (Canadian and Bermudian citizens are exempt)
  3. Valid I-20 issued for OPT (F-1) endorsed with current travel signature (issued within 6 months prior to your return)
  4. Valid DS-2019 issued for Academic Training (J-1) endorsed with a valid travel signature (issued within 6 months prior to your return)
  5. Employment Authorization Document (EAD) issued for OPT employment – F-1
  6. Employment letter verifying employment on OPT (F-1) or AT internship (J-1)

Update on Change to U.S. Travel Policy Requiring COVID-19 Vaccination for nonimmigrant travel

Last Updated: May 4, 2023 | View the statement on the State Department website

"The Administration will end the COVID-19 vaccine requirements for international air travelers at the end of the day on May 11, the same day that the COVID-19 public health emergency ends. This means starting May 12, noncitizen nonimmigrant air passengers will no longer need to show proof of being fully vaccinated with an accepted COVID-19 vaccine to board a flight to the United States. CDC’s Amended Order Implementing Presidential Proclamation on Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic will no longer be in effect when the Presidential Proclamation Advancing the Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic is revoked."

Travel during grace period - NOT PERMITTED

If you are an F-1 student, you have a 60-day grace period after completing your degree. If you are J-1 student, you have a 30-day grace period. This period of time allows you to make plans for your departure. You can travel within the U.S., but if you leave and are planning to reenter, you may not return as an F-1 or J-1 student. You will be re-admitted to the U.S. as a tourist. Consequently, your status and the post-completion benefits, such as OPT for F-1 and AT for J-1 will be negated.

Travel signature

If you are traveling and need a signature on your I-20/DS-2019, be sure to request it at least two weeks before departure. Log in to ISS Connect to complete the Travel Signature Request. It generally takes 7 business days to process your travel signature after you have submitted your request, so please plan accordingly.

Visa renewal

If you are in F-1 or J-1 status and your entry visa expires while you are studying in the U.S., there is no need to renew your visa as long as you stay in the U.S. and continue your studies.

If you are on OPT in F-1 status or on AT in J-1 status and your F-1 or J-1 visa expired while you were studying in the U.S., there is no need to renew it as long as you stay in the U.S. and continue your employment or internship.

However, if you travel abroad you must plan to renew your visa, no matter the duration of your international travel. It is not possible to complete this procedure in the U.S. You may renew your visa at a U.S. Consulate in your home country; countries other than your own may impose stricter requirements or may be unwilling to renew a visa for a citizen of another country. To renew an F-1 or J-1 visa, you do not need to pay a SEVIS processing fee. You need to log in to ISS Connect to request a visa renewal letter from ISS, along with a travel signature.

Learn more about the documents you need to compile for your new visa application from the U.S. Consular Services.

Change of status approved students obtaining a visa

If you changed your status to F-1 in the U.S. through the USCIS, you will not have an F-1 visa stamp in your passport. You will have to obtain one while in your home country. Same requirements apply.