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F-1 and J-1 Travel

International students and scholars in F-1 or J-1 status may travel within the U.S. or abroad during their time at Northwestern.

OISS reminds students & scholars:

• Get your I-20/DS-2019 signed if you are traveling outside the U.S. See below for travel signature validity information.
• Check your passport expiration. To re-enter the U.S., a passport must be valid 6-months into the future from the next date of entry.
• Don't forget your I-20/DS-2019 and passport. When preparing to return to the U.S., be sure these documents are with your person on the plane -- you will need them before you have access to checked baggage to pass through passport control.

OISS reminds F-1 students on OPT and STEM OPT:

• While on OPT or STEM OPT, the travel signature is valid for 6 months from when it was signed.
• When traveling abroad while on OPT be sure to carry your EAD card, as you will need to present it for re-entry into the United States. All EAD cards say 'not valid for reentry' This means that the card alone does not guarantee reentry but that you must also carry the I-20 and passport with valid visa.
• Students on OPT must carry the following when traveling abroad to re-enter the U.S.:
  • SEVIS Form I-20 with valid travel signature within the last six months;
  • Valid F-1 visa stamp inside passport;
  • Current passport, valid at least six months into the future;
  • Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Card (Note: All EAD cards say 'not valid for reentry' This means that the card alone does not guarantee reentry but that you must also carry the I-20 and passport with valid visa.)
  • If you are, or will be employed, we recommend that you carry your offer letter.
  • F-2 dependents of F-1 students on OPT should carry photocopies of their spouses EAD card and employment offer letter, in addition to a SEVIS Form I-20, valid F-1 visa stamp, and current passport.

   

How does a student obtain a travel signature on the Form I-20 /DS 2019?

F-1 and J-1 Students

To submit an" I-20 Reprint (or DS-2019 Reprint) Request' for travel, follow these steps:

1. Log in to the .
2. Go to portal section #3 "Requests & Documents" on the far right.
3. Scroll down to find the appropriate request: "Reprint I-20" or "Reprint DS-2019"

   For F-1 students

   For J-1 students

4. Complete and submit the request. 
5. You will receive an email notifying you when your I-20 or DS-2019 reprint with travel signature is ready to access and print from the portal.

Travel Abroad

International students & scholars in F-1 or J-1 status and their dependents need the following to leave and re-enter the U.S.

• SEVIS Form I-20 or DS-2019 with a valid travel signature (see above) endorsed by the OISS; Customs and Border Protection officials will need to see your printed paper I-20 for re-entry to the U.S.
• Valid visa stamp (pasted inside your passport); and
• Current passport, valid at least six months after the date of your re-entry (unless your passport was issued by a country belonging to the "Six Month Club" and is exempt from the 6-month rule). Please see March 2022 DHS list of . 

Make sure your documents are valid (unexpired)

• If your F-1 or J-1 visa is unexpired, you can use that visa to re-enter the U.S.
• If you are planning to take a cruise, please check with your cruise provider to find out whether you will pass through Customs in any country you may enter, and whether you will be subject to U.S. Customs & Border Patrol inspection upon your return to the U.S.

Travel within the U.S.

Traveling within the country is un-complicated and simple:

• Carry two forms of photo identification (including your passport) and your form I-20/DS-2019.
• You do not need an additional visa stamp or travel signature to travel within the US. Looking to visit somewhere warm? That includes Hawaii, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands.

 Travel Tips

• Before traveling, make photocopies of ALL documents: passport, I-20/DS-2019, visa stamp, . Leave a set of copies at home or with a friend and carry a copy with you separate from your originals. Lost or stolen documents are much easier to replace with photocopies!
• Carry your COVID-19 vaccine card with you when you travel and take and save a photo of your vaccine card document as well.
• If traveling abroad, bring your financial documentation showing proof of necessary funds to cover tuition and living costs. (i.e. bank statements, funding letters, etc.)
• If you have lost your passport , please visit the  for instructions on what to do next and how to file for replacement documents.
• Remember to print and save your I-94 record each time you return to the U.S.  Visit  to print your I-94 record.