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F-1 and J-1 Travel

OISS reminds students & scholars:

  • Get your I-20/DS-2019 signed if you are traveling outside the U.S. See below for travel signature validity information.
  • Check your passport expiration. To re-enter the U.S., a passport must be valid 6-months into the future from the next date of entry.
  • Don't forget your I-20/DS-2019 and passport. When preparing to return to the U.S., be sure these documents are with your person on the plane -- you will need them before you 榴梿视频 access to checked baggage to pass through passport control.

OISS reminds F-1 students on OPT and STEM OPT:

  • While on OPT or STEM OPT, the travel signature is valid for 6 months from when it was signed.
  • When traveling abroad while on OPT be sure to carry your EAD card, as you will need to present it for re-entry into the United States. All EAD cards say 'not valid for reentry' This means that the card alone does not guarantee reentry but that you must also carry the I-20 and passport with valid visa.
  • Students on OPT must carry the following when traveling abroad to re-enter the U.S.:
    • SEVIS Form I-20 with valid travel signature within the last six months;
    • Valid F-1 visa stamp inside passport;
    • Current passport, valid at least six months into the future;
    • Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Card (Note: All EAD cards say 'not valid for reentry' This means that the card alone does not guarantee reentry but that you must also carry the I-20 and passport with valid visa.)
    • If you are, or will be employed, we recommend that you carry your offer letter.
    • F-2 dependents of F-1 students on OPT should carry photocopies of their spouses EAD card and employment offer letter, in addition to a SEVIS Form I-20, valid F-1 visa stamp, and current passport.

     

How does a student obtain a travel signature on the Form I-20 /DS 2019?

F-1 and J-1 Students

To submit an" I-20 Reprint (or DS-2019 Reprint) Request' for travel, follow these steps:

  1. Log in to the .
  2. Go to portal section #3 "Requests & Documents" on the far right.
  3. Scroll down to find the appropriate request: "Reprint I-20" or "Reprint DS-2019"

    For F-1 students

    reprint-i-20-icon.jpg

    For J-1 students

    reprint-ds-2019-icon.jpg
  4. Complete and submit the request. 
  5. You will receive an email notifying you when your I-20 or DS-2019 reprint with travel signature is ready to access and print from the portal.

I'm an international scholar on a J-1 visa. How do I obtain a travel signature on my DS-2019?

  • Please contact your designated OISS Advisor to request a travel signature endorsement on your Form DS-2019.  Your advisor will send you a digital copy of your DS-2019 with the travel signature endorsement via email attachment.
  • Alternatively, you can also visit the OISS Office at 1902 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL during open office hours  with your current DS-2019 document in hand to receive a new travel signature.

Travel Abroad

International students & scholars in F-1 or J-1 status and their dependents need the following to leave and re-enter the U.S.

  • SEVIS Form I-20 or DS-2019 with a valid travel signature (see above) endorsed by the OISS; Customs and Border Protection officials will need to see your printed paper I-20 for re-entry to the U.S.
  • Valid visa stamp (pasted inside your passport); and
  • Current passport, valid at least six months after the date of your re-entry (unless your passport was issued by a country belonging to the "Six Month Club" and is exempt from the 6-month rule). Please see March 2022 DHS list of . 

Make sure your documents are valid (unexpired)

  • If your F-1 or J-1 visa is unexpired, you can use that visa to re-enter the U.S.
  • If you are planning to take a cruise, please check with your cruise provider to find out whether you will pass through Customs in any country you may enter, and whether you will be subject to U.S. Customs & Border Patrol inspection upon your return to the U.S.

Travel signature endorsement and validity

  • Continuing F-1/J-1 Students/Scholars : The signature on page 2 of the I-20 or on the bottom right corner of page 1 of the DS-2019 is valid for 12 months. If your re-entry date to the U.S. is within 12-months from the last signature, you will be eligible to re-enter on that I-20/DS-2019.  However, if the signature on your I-20 or DS—2019 will be more than one year old by the time you re-enter U.S., then a new travel signature is required.
  • Information for F-1 students on OPT/STEM OPT: The signature on page 2 of the OPT I-20 is valid for 6 months from when it was signed. If your re-entry date is within 6 months from the last signature, you are eligible to re-enter on that I-20.  However, if you re-enter after the 6-month time frame, a new travel signature is required.
  • Information for J-1 Short-term Scholars and J-1 Students on Academic Training: Travel signatures are valid for 6 months or until the end of 榴梿视频, whichever is sooner.

Documentation while in the U.S.

Inside the U.S. we recommend that you to carry your original immigration documentation.  For F-1 / J-1 student visa holders, carry copies of your valid passport, visa, I-20/DS-2019 and your most recent I-94.  If you are here on an employment visa (J-1, H-1B, O-1, TN),  you should also carry your I-797 Approval Notice (H-1B Scholars) and a copy of your offer/invitation letter.

 Travel Tips

  • Make copies/scans of ALL documents: passport, I-20/DS-2019, visa stamp, .
  • If traveling abroad, it is always a good idea to bring your financial documentation showing proof of necessary funds to cover tuition and living costs (i.e. bank statements, funding letters, etc.).
  • If you lose your passport, please contact your home consulate or embassy for replacement.  You will only be able to replace a visa if you are abroad.
  • Remember to print /scan, double check, and save your I-94 record each time you return to the U.S.  Visit  to access your I-94 record.