Plan Before International Travel
International travel takes planning. Before leaving the United States, review your immigration documents and consider the requirements that may apply to your destination, any countries you will transit through, and your return to the United States.
Travel requirements and conditions can change. Give yourself enough time to review your documents, request a travel signature if needed, and address questions before you leave.
Review Your Documents Before You Travel
Before an international trip, review the documents that apply to your immigration status and travel plans.
- A valid passport;
- Your current Form I-20 or Form DS-2019;
- A valid travel signature on your Form I-20 or Form DS-2019;
- A valid U.S. visa, if required for your return;
- Your most recent Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record; and
- Any additional documents that apply to your current immigration or employment situation.
You are also responsible for reviewing the entry and transit requirements of the countries you plan to visit. Requirements may vary based on your citizenship, destination, and travel itinerary.
Check Your Travel Signature
Before leaving the United States, check the travel endorsement on your current Form I-20 or Form DS-2019.
If you need a new travel signature, submit a request through the Coyote International Portal before traveling. Allow enough time for ISSS to review and process your request before your planned departure.
Portal Requests:
- F-1 students: 02 F-1: Travel Signature
- J-1 students: 02 J-1: Travel Signature
For most continuing F-1 students, a travel signature is generally valid for up to 12 months. For J-1 students, the travel signature on Form DS-2019 is generally valid for up to 12 months from the date it is signed or until the program end date on the Form DS-2019, whichever comes first.
Different requirements apply to F-1 students on post-completion OPT or STEM OPT, whose travel signatures are generally valid for six months.
Check the signature date and your immigration documents before each international trip. If you are unsure whether you need a new travel signature, contact ISSS before you travel.
Review Your Visa and Reentry Documents
A travel signature and a U.S. visa serve different purposes. A travel signature on your Form I-20 or DS-2019 does not renew or extend your visa.
Before traveling, check the expiration date on your visa and review the documents you will need to request admission to the United States. If your visa has expired, you may need to apply for a new visa while outside the United States.
Visa processing times and requirements can vary. Plan ahead and avoid making assumptions about when a new visa will be issued.
Some travelers with an expired U.S. visa may qualify for a limited provision known as automatic visa revalidation when returning from certain short trips. Eligibility depends on the traveler's immigration status, destination, length of travel, visa-application activity during the trip, and other circumstances. Do not assume that a trip to Canada or Mexico automatically qualifies. Review the Department of State's current automatic visa revalidation information before traveling. If you are unsure how the rules apply to your situation, contact ISSS before departure.
Traveling During OPT or STEM OPT
International travel during post-completion OPT or the STEM OPT extension involves additional considerations. Your documents, employment situation, and whether an application is still pending can affect your travel and return to the United States.
Review your circumstances carefully before leaving the United States.
Students on approved post-completion OPT or STEM OPT should review the documents that apply to their travel and return, including: your current Form I-20 with an appropriate travel endorsement; your Employment Authorization Document (EAD); your passport and visa documentation; and documentation related to your current employment, when applicable. Travel endorsements during post-completion OPT are generally valid for six months rather than the usual 12-month period for continuing F-1 students.
Travel Planning Resources
Immigration documents are only one part of preparing for international travel. Conditions at your destination, entry requirements, transportation disruptions, and other circumstances may affect your plans.
Review current information before you leave and again before you return.
U.S. Department of State Travel Advisories
CSU International Travel Considerations
Check Your I-94 After You Return
After returning to the United States, retrieve your most recent Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record and review your admission information.
Make sure your name, immigration classification, and admission information appear correct. Keep a copy of the I-94 with your immigration records.
If you believe your admission information is incorrect or have questions about your immigration record after returning, contact ISSS as soon as possible.
Questions Before You Travel?
Travel circumstances can vary depending on your immigration status, documents, visa, employment authorization, destination, and individual travel plans.
If you have questions about your immigration documents or returning to the United States, contact ISSS before traveling whenever possible. Planning ahead gives you time to review your circumstances and address questions before departure.
For individualized immigration questions, submit the following request through the Coyote International Portal: