Travel and US Entry

Student Travel Endorsements

F-1 Students

•  I-20 must be valid.
•  I-20 must be endorsed for travel on page 2 of the new version of the I-20 (page 3 of the old version) by an OIP advisor.
•  Signature is valid for one year, as long as you are a continuing UNT student in the same program and are in valid F-1 status.
•  Please submit your I-20 to OIPS along with the form requesting endorsement at least two weeks before travel.

F-2 Dependents

• · I-20 must be valid.
• · F-1 spouse or parent must be in valid status.
• · I-20 must be endorsed on page 2 of the new version of the I-20 (page 3 of the old version) by an OIP advisor.
• · Signature is valid for one year, as long as your F-1 spouse or parent is a continuing LU student in the same program and is in valid F-1 status.
• · Please submit your I-20 to OIP along with the form requesting endorsement at least two weeks before travel

Travel to Canada,Mexico and Contiguous Islands

(Travel excludes Cuba)

•  I-20 or DS-2019 must be endorsed for re-entry to the U.S.
• Check with the destination embassy to determine if visa is required
• If you plan to apply for a U.S. visa, please check with an ISSS advisor. Conditions change frequently.
• If you are applying for a new visa stamp and your current visa has expired/ has no more entries, you take a definite risk.
• The U.S. consulate may deny your visa application.
• You will be stuck in that country, and will need to make plans to travel home from there.
• If you are NOT applying for a new visa stamp, your visa has expired, and you will be in that country for 30 days or less, you may be eligible for automatic visa revalidation and you can re-enter the U.S. with the expired stamp.

Automatic Extension of Visa

•  F and J visa holders who travel to Canada, Mexico, or an adjacent island (other than Cuba) for 30 days or less with an expired visa stamp may be eligible for an automatic extension of their visa upon re-entry to the U.S.
  •  The visa will be extended to the date of application for re-admission to the U.S.
  •  This provision does not apply to those whose visas have been canceled or those who do not have a visa stamp.
• Travelers from Syria, Iran, Sudan and Cuba are not eligible for automatic extension.
• Students/scholars with expired visa stamps who have been denied visa stamps in the travel destination are not eligible for automatic extension.
•  Students that have not applied for visa stamps in the travel destination are eligible.
  • The student or scholar must have maintained valid status, and must intend to continue maintaining valid status.
• Those who have changed their visa status in the U.S. are eligible for automatic extension if they have their previous visa stamp, plus the stamped I-20 or DS-2019, and the I-94 card or I-797A documenting that the change of status was approved by USCIS.

To qualify for Automatic Extension, Visa holders must possess:

•  A visa to enter the adjacent country, if required
•  An unexpired passport
•  An expired visa stamp (If the expired visa stamp is in an expired passport, that passport and visa stamp must also be presented upon re-entry to the U.S.)
•  An I-20 or DS-2019 endorsed for travel
•  I-94 marked D/S (Do not give up your I-94 when you leave the U.S.)
•  Evidence of an USCIS approved change of status, (e.g. I-797A and/or I-94 card), and I-20 or DS-2019 stamped by USCIS

Travel on OPT

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program office at the Department of Homeland Security has issued operating instructions for travel during OPT.

Travel and re-entry after program completion, before EAD approval:

•  You may re-enter to continue seeking employment
• Carry your I-765 receipt with you
•  Make sure your I-20 is endorsed for travel

Travel and re-entry while on OPT:

•  If your OPT has been approved and you depart before you get a job, your OPT ends and you cannot re-enter.
•  If you have a job, you may travel and re-enter to resume work at the same job.
  • Carry an employment letter with you
  • Carry your EAD card
  • Make sure your I-20 has been endorsed in the last 6 months

Need a new visa stamp?

• While you are on OPT, you are still on an F-1 visa.
•  For this visa category, you must satisfy the consular official that you have sufficient intent to return to your home country. This may be a challenge when you have completed your degree, and are employed.

Entry to the U.S.

1. Present passport valid for at least 6 months, visa stamp, and I-20 or DS-2019. You may also want to carry your financial documents.

2. Students, scholars, and dependents who are citizens of Canada do not need a visa stamp when entering the United States from Canada. F or J visa status, Canadians must present the I-20 or DS-2019 when entering.

3. If you are a new F-1 student, with an "Initial Attendance" I-20, be sure the school listed on the visa matches the school listed on your passport.

4. If you are a prior student and you have applied through International Student and Scholar Services for re-entry to the U.S., check in with our office in Lincoln Hall #103\104 after you have re-entered the U.S.

5. If on OPT, you must have your EAD card and employment or offer letter.

6. Be a "good consumer." Before you leave the CBP official, check to make sure you have your passport. If you are issued a paper I-94, make sure it has the proper notation - F-1, F-2, J-1, or J-2. If it is not correct have the officer make the correction there. Make sure you have your I-20. If you will have an electronic I-94 record, be sure to visit http://cbp.gov/i94 as soon as possible after entry to ensure your information is correct. Make sure it has the correct visa status and D/S under the "Admit Until" date.

7. OBIM (Formerly US-Visit): If you get a receipt after having your fingerprints and picture taken, keep the receipt.

Exiting the U.S.

1. In general, if you are traveling to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean islands for 30 days or less and have an expired F-1 visa, you will keep your I-94 card.

2. If you are traveling elsewhere, you will hand in your I-94 card upon exit if you have a paper I-94.

3. If you are traveling elsewhere and have an electronic I-94 record, CBP will record your departure using manifest information from the airline carrier. There is no document to turn in.

Continuing Students - Know Before You Go

1. F-1 Students and F-2 Dependents: I-20 must be endorsed for travel. This endorsement is valid for entry for 1 year.

2. J-1 Students and Scholars, and J-2 Dependents: DS-2019 must be endorsed for travel. This endorsement is valid for 1 year.

3. Check passport expiration. Passport must be valid for 6 months into the future upon entry to the U.S. Agreements between the U.S. and certain countries allow for less than 6 months. We recommend that you apply for an extension of passport before it expires.

4. If you will be applying for a visa stamp, check the instructions for the consulate where you will apply

5. Bring a transcript.

6. If on OPT,I-20 travel signature must be less than 6 months old; you must have an EAD card and you must have an employment letter or offer letter.