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University of Florida

Travel

While you have an active DS-2019, the primary purpose of your visit to the United States is to study at the University of Florida. Occasional travel is permitted within the following guidelines. 

To reenter the United States after traveling internationally, you must have the following documents accessible in your carry-on luggage: 

  • Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond return date 
  • Valid DS-2019 with valid travel signature (signed no more than 12 months prior to return date) 
  • Valid J Visa 

These are the requirements to reenter the US. If you will travel to a country other than your home country, it is your responsibility to verify the immigration requirements to enter that country. EVS can only advise on the entry requirements for the US.  

If you will miss class due to travel, you must also check with your professor(s) to ensure that your progress in that class will not be affected.  

 

Additional Guidelines 

  • You are permitted to be outside of the US during academic breaks (Spring Break, Summer Break, Thanksgiving Break, and Winter Break). 
  • If you will be outside of the US for most or all of an academic semester due to travel, you must inform your EVS advisor as DS-2019 updates may be required.  
  • J-2 dependents can be outside the US for as long as desired. They must always maintain active health insurance even while outside of the US.  
  • J-2 dependents cannot remain in the US while you are outside the US for extended travel. 
    • The impact of your departure should be considered before your J-2 dependent engages in employment or enrolls in classes. 

If you are actively pursuing another immigration status, we highly recommend speaking to an immigration attorney prior to travel, especially if you will renew your J visa while abroad. 

The travel signature confirms that your J program is in good status at the time of signing and that you have the approval of EVS to travel internationally. Travel signatures are required for both J-1 students and J-2 dependents.  

To request a travel signature, email your EVS advisor at least two weeks prior to traveling.  

  • If you are in Gainesville, we will arrange a time for you to come to the UF International Center with your DS-2019 for the signature.  
  • If you are at a campus outside of Gainesville, we can provide a digital travel signature.  

If your record is out of compliance, such as due to a failure to renew health insurance in a timely manner, you will not be given a travel signature.  

The travel signature is valid for 12 months from the date of signing, or until your program's end date (whichever comes first). If you have a valid travel signature, you can use it for multiple trips. You do not need to get a new travel signature for each trip unless the previous travel signature has expired.

The travel signature is located in the bottom righthand corner of the DS-2019.

The travel signature is located in the bottom righthand corner of the DS-2019. 

Travel inside the US does not require additional approval from EVS unless it would constitute a change of site of activity or an outside employment activity. 

You must always have a valid form of government-issued photo ID with you when you travel. If you will miss class due to travel, you must also check with your professor(s) to ensure that your progress in that class will not be affected.  

If you travel to Alaska, Hawaii, or a US territory (American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands) you should obtain a valid travel signature on form DS-2019 and bring your immigration documents.  

This will help avoid confusion and potential difficulties if you must detour outside the US for any reason. You may travel to Alaska, Hawaii, and US territories with an expired J visa. 

Once you've reentered the US, please check your I-94. This is your lawful record of admission and permits you to remain in the US. It is updated every time you reenter the US.  

Pay special attention to the following sections: 

  • Admit Until Date: During your J program, this should say “D/S” (Duration of Status) 
    • This means that you are permitted to remain in the US until the end date noted on your Form DS-2019, plus the grace period 
  • Class of Admission: J1 

It is important that the information is correct on your I-94, as this is the US government's official record of your immigration status upon entry. If you find any errors, please email your EVS advisor immediately. We will work with you to contact US Customs and Border Protection to correct the I-94.