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STUDENT INFORMATION
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F-1 TRAVELLING OUTSIDE THE US
DefinitionDomestic travel covers all travel within the United States; International travel is divided into two different categories for F-1 students: travel outside North America and travel to North American countries (Canada, US, Mexico, and the contiguous island territories). Students should obtain a visa, if required, for each country they plan to visit. Domestic TravelWhen traveling domestically in the U.S. you are required to carry your passport, I-94 card, and your valid I-20. No signature is needed, however, on the I-20. Procedures for Travel Outside North AmericaObtain a signature on page 3 of your I-20 from an international student adviser in ISSP. This signature is valid for one year while pursing your degree and for six months while on OPT; therefore, it is not necessary to get a new signature every time you travel within that period. It is advisable, however, to carry current transcripts. (Unofficial transcripts can be printed using OPUS. Official transcripts may be requested from the registrar's office.) If your visa will expire by the date that you would like to re-enter the US,you will need to get a new visa from the US Consulate/Embassy in the country you are visiting. The process will be similar to the process used when you applied for your initial visa, including providing proof of finances and filling out form DS-156. When applying for a U.S. visa abroad, applicants must complete the Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form (DS-156). Additionally, all male nonimmigrant visa applicants between the ages of 16 and 45, regardless of nationality and regardless of where they apply, must complete and submit a DS-157 in addition to the DS-156. . Exceptions do exist. For more details, please go to travel.state.gov On July 2, 2002, the Department of State submitted a new form DS-158: Contact Information and Work History for Nonimmigrant Visa Applicant, to be consistent with the requirements of the Border Security Act. This form must be completed by all nonimmigrant visa applicants. If you are not going to apply for the visa in your home country, you should check with an advisor in ISSP. Before applying for a new visa, you should always talk to your advisor. Please visit the Department of State Visa Services website for more information and foreign Students-Tips for U.S. Visas. CBP announced that effective May 6, 2007, international visitors are no longer required to check out at a US-VISIT exit kiosk when they leave the United States. All other exit procedures remain the same. International visitors who receive a Form I-94 upon arrival must still return it to an airline or ship representative when departing the United States, and those subject to Special Registration must still check out of a designated port of departure. NOTE:Please note that if you are a student with a major that requires a special clearance such as Chemistry, you are encouraged to allow at least two months for the processing of your visa. Checklist of documents needed when travelingProcedures for Travel to Mexico, Canada, and Adjacent Islands Other Than CubaObtain a signature on the back of your I-20 from an international student adviser in ISSP. This signature is valid for one year while pursing your degree and for six months while on OPT, so it is not necessary to get a new signature every time you travel within that period. F-1 students may travel to Mexico, Canada, and the adjacent islands other than Cuba for fewer than 30 days with an expired F-1 visa if the student has maintained and will continue in F-1 status upon return to the U.S. There are two exceptions to this benefit. First, citizens of "state sponsors of terrorism" as designated in the State Department's annual Patterns of Global Terrorism report will no longer be eligible for the automatic revalidation of visa benefit. Currently, the State Department lists the following countries as state sponsors of terrorism: Iraq, Iran, Syria, Libya, Sudan, North Korea, and Cuba. Second, an individual who applies for a new visa while visiting Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean, is not permitted to return to the U.S. under the “automatic revalidation” provisions. This does not affect those who want to vacation for less than 30 days. As long as you still hold a valid visa document, such as an I-20 or DS-2019, and your I-94 card, then you still can be readmitted to the U.S. on an expired visa stamp. For more information, please refer to NAFSA’s advisory pertaining to automatic revalidation at Practice Advisory 2002-B: DOS limits use of "automatic revalidation of visa" benefit. Link to U.S. Embassies and Consulates Worldwide. Be sure to talk to an advisor about the exact procedure before you leave. Citizens from certain countries will need to obtain a visitor visa in order to enter Canada or Mexico. ISSP has applications and instructions for visitor visas to aid students; or, for more information, link to embassies in Washington, D.C. Checklist of documents needed when travelling to adjacent territoriesIf you have any questions please contact an ISSP advisor! |