F-1 Travel

Travel and Re-Entry Guidance on the F Visa

The basic minimum document requirements for F-1 students, F-1s on OPT/STEM OPT, and F-2 Dependents to re-enter the United States after traveling abroad are below. Please remember that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the Port of Entry (POE) ultimately decides to grant or deny entry into the United States. The decision is based upon the facts and circumstances presented at the time of travel. We cannot guarantee admission or re-admission to the United States.

If traveling to a country that is not your country of citizenship or residence, please visit the website of that country’s embassy or consulate for entry requirements.

F-1 Students

Required Documents for F-1 Re-Entry as a Continuing Student

Passport – unexpired, valid for at least six months after the date of re-entry
F-1 Visa – unexpired, valid beyond the date of re-entry
- If the visa has already expired, will expire prior to re-entry, or was issued only for a single/limited entry, which has been exhausted, you must renew it prior to re-entry. Schedule a visa appointment at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country of nationality or residence. The visa can only be renewed at a U.S. embassy or consulate outside the U.S. Visa processing times vary; check with the consulate.
  - Nationals of countries where the U.S. government is not conducting routine nonimmigrant visa (NIV) operations must apply at the designated embassy or consulate, unless their residence is elsewhere. Click the link for details.
- If traveling to a U.S. contiguous territory or adjacent island for less than thirty days, re-entry on an expired F-1 visa may be allowed via Automatic Revalidation in limited situations. Click the links for details.
- Canadian citizens are exempt from the need to have the visa stamped in their passport to travel to the U.S. All other documents are still required.
Continued Attendance I-20 – most recent, unexpired
- The Program End Date on page 1 must be beyond the re-entry date.
Travel Signature on page 2 of the Continued Attendance I-20
- The travel signature is valid for up to one year from when it was last signed ("Date Issued" on page 2), or when the I-20 expires (Program End Date, on page 1), whichever is first.
- You only need a new travel signature if you will return beyond the validity of the current travel signature. You do not need a new signature for each time you travel within the validity period.

To request a new travel signature, click the I-20 Reprint button.

I-20 Reprint

Note: Granting a travel signature for the I-20 is contingent on the F-1 having valid status. UFIC will conduct a review of the student’s record; any issues found will delay our ability to grant a travel signature. For this reason, we require that students request signatures in a timely manner, allowing at least 5-7 business days for review and processing.

Additional Travel Document Recommendations

Transcript/Proof of Enrollment: Carry a copy of your enrollment verification or a transcript to demonstrate your active status.
Financial Documents: Bring proof of funding to show you can meet your educational and living expenses.
I-901 Fee Payment Receipt: Obtain your receipt from the I-901 fee payment site.

F-1 On OPT/Stem OPT

Required Documents for Re-Entry as F-1 on Optional Practical Training (OPT) or STEM OPT Extension

Passport – unexpired, valid for at least six months after the date of re-entry
F-1 Visa – unexpired, valid beyond the date of re-entry
- If the visa has already expired, will expire prior to re-entry, or was issued only for a single/limited entry which has been exhausted, you must renew it prior to re-entry. Schedule a visa appointment at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country of nationality or residence. The visa can only be renewed at a U.S. embassy or consulate outside the U.S. Visa processing times vary; check with the consulate.
  - Nationals of countries where the U.S. government is not conducting routine nonimmigrant visa (NIV) operations must apply at the designated embassy or consulate, unless their residence is elsewhere. Click the link for details.
- If traveling to a U.S. contiguous country or adjacent island for less than thirty days, re-entry on an expired F-1 visa may be allowed via Automatic Revalidation in limited situations. Click the links for details.
- Canadian citizens are exempt from the need to have the visa stamped in their passport to travel to the U.S. All other documents are still required.
I-901 Fee Payment Receipt: Obtain your receipt from the I-901 fee payment site.
Continued Attendance I-20 – most recent, with OPT or STEM OPT indicated on page 2
- The Program End Date on page 1 will be expired when on OPT or STEM OPT.
Travel Signature on page 2 of the Continued Attendance I-20
- The travel signature is valid for up to six months from when it was last signed ("Date Issued" on page 2).
- You only need a new travel signature if you will return beyond the validity of the current travel signature. You do not need a new signature for each time you travel within the validity period.

To request a new travel signature, click the I-20 Reprint button.

OPT I-20 TRAVEL SIGNATURE

Note: Granting a travel signature for the I-20 is contingent on the F-1 having valid status, including submitting valid OPT and STEM OPT reports, if applicable. UFIC will conduct a review of the student’s record; any issues found will delay our ability to grant a travel signature. For this reason, we require that students on OPT or STEM OPT request signatures in a timely manner, allowing at least 7-10 business days for review and processing.

OPT or STEM OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD) – unexpired
- If the EAD card has not been received, we recommend avoiding international travel until the EAD card is in hand; international travel without the EAD is risky. USCIS will only mail the card to the address within the U.S. provided in the application.

Additional Travel Document Recommendations

Transcript confirming degree completion: Carry a copy of your transcript verifying degree completion.
Employment Offer/Confirmation Letter on employer’s business letterhead stating the employee’s name, start date, and a brief description of the work duties. If traveling internationally with a valid EAD card but lacking employment, we recommend postponing travel if possible.
- If the 12-month OPT is paid, carry a few of your most recent paystubs.
- 24-month STEM OPT must be paid bona fide employed with an E-Verified employer for whom you have provided your DSO with the valid Form I-983; carry a few of your most recent paystubs.

F-2 Dependents

Required Documents for F-2 Re-Entry

Passport – unexpired, valid for at least six months after the date of re-entry
F-2 Visa – unexpired, valid beyond the date of re-entry
- If the visa has already expired, will expire prior to re-entry, or was issued only for a single/limited entry which has been exhausted, you must renew it prior to re-entry. Schedule a visa appointment at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country of nationality or residence. The visa can only be renewed at a U.S. embassy or consulate outside the U.S. Visa processing times vary; check with the consulate.
  - Nationals of countries where the U.S. government is not conducting routine nonimmigrant visa (NIV) operations must apply at the designated embassy or consulate, unless their residence is elsewhere. Click the link for details.
- If traveling to a U.S. contiguous country or adjacent island for less than thirty days, re-entry on an expired F-2 visa may be allowed via Automatic Revalidation in limited situations. Click the links for details.
- Canadian citizens are exempt from the need to have the visa stamped in their passport to travel to the U.S. All other documents are still required.
Continued Attendance I-20 – most recent, unexpired
- The Program End Date on page 1 must be beyond the re-entry date.
Travel Signature on page 2 of the Continued Attendance I-20
- The travel signature is valid for up to one year from when it was last signed ("Date Issued" on page 2), or when the I-20 expires (Program End Date, on page 1), whichever is first.
- You only need a new travel signature if you will return beyond the validity of the current travel signature. You do not need a new signature for each time you travel within the validity period.

To request a new travel signature, click the I-20 Reprint button.

I-20 Reprint

Additional Travel Document Recommendations

F-1’s Transcript/Proof of Enrollment: Carry a copy of your enrollment verification or a transcript to demonstrate your active status.
Financial Documents: Bring proof of funding to show the F-1 student can meet their educational and each dependent’s living expenses.
F-1 I-901 Fee Payment Receipt: Obtain the receipt from the I-901 fee payment site using the F-1’s I-20 information.

Verify I-94 After Re-entry

After a successful re-entry, we advise that you download, check, and save your most recent I-94 Arrival/Departure Record and Travel History to ensure the Customs & Border Protection (CBP) official at the Port of Entry (POE) properly recorded your most recent entry date, visa status, and Duration of Status as D/S. Remember the I-94 number changes upon each subsequent entry into the U.S.!

Contact Us

If you cannot attend your specific F-1 advisor’s Virtual Office Hours, you may send your questions by email using the Contact Us form. Your F-1 advisor will reply to your email.