Travel Information

If you will be traveling outside of the United States, please contact the ISO to make sure that all of your immigration documents are in order. The I-20 or DS-2019 form must be endorsed by an advisor in the ISO at least once each academic year to allow you to re-enter the U.S. Please stop by the ISO at least one week before your departure to have your documents checked. The ISO also recommends that you keep your immigration documents with you when traveling within the U.S. for identification purposes.

USCIS Travel link for F-1 Students:
http://www.ice.gov/sevis/travel/faq_f.htm

F-1 Travel Documents Passport valid 6 months into the future Valid U.S. visa stamp in your passport* I-94 card Original I-20 endorsed by the ISO within the last academic year Proof of financial support Transcript showing full-time enrollment Receipt for SEVIS Fee or ISO travel letter stating fee not applicable for continuing students

J-1 Travel Documents Passport valid 6 months into the future Valid U.S. visa stamp in your passport* I-94 card Original DS-2019 endorsed by the ISO within the last year Proof of financial support Transcript showing full-time enrollment Receipt for SEVIS Fee or ISO travel letter stating fee not applicable for continuing students

*If you stay in Canada, Mexico, or contiguous territories for less than 30 days, your expired U.S. visa may be automatically revalidated when you re-enter the U.S. This does not apply to citizens of certain countries, including Landed Immigrants in Canada who are from former Commonwealth countries, and citizens of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan, and Syria.

Traveling to Canada, Mexico, & Adjacent Islands

• General Information Sheet (pdf)
• Canadian Visa Information & Application

Renewing Your U.S. Visa

When returning to the U.S. from countries where re-validation of an expired U.S. visa is not automatic, you must have a valid U.S. visa in order to re-enter the U.S. If you have used up all of the entries allowed on your current visa stamp, or it is past the expiration date, you will need to apply for a new visa at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy abroad.

• Tips for Applying for a Student Visa (pdf)

The ISO does not recommend applying for a new U.S. visa in Canada or Mexico. If you do wish to apply in one of these countries, please read the following information and make an appointment to speak to an advisor in the ISO prior to leaving.

• Applying for a Visa in a Border Country

VISA Denials

If, for some reason, your visa is denied, please contact the ISO immediately and provide us with the following information: Your full name, date of birth, place of your visa application, date of your application, and the date you plan to re-apply. Please also provide us with your account of what happened and what was said during the interview. You should be given a reason for the denial in writing — please fax this to the ISO in addition to the above information.

Security Clearance Issues

For a discussion of the recent issue of security clearances and how they may affect your application to renew your U.S. visa, visit the ISO web page on visa delays.