Entry to the U.S.: Travel and Re-Entry

F and J visa holders are permitted to travel both within and outside the U.S. Before traveling, ensure your passport, visa, and I-20 or DS-2019 are valid and up to date. For international travel, verify that your travel signature is current and check for any visa renewal requirements or travel restrictions. Always carry your immigration documents with you and be prepared to present them when requested.

Required Documents

Passport

Your passport must be valid at least six months into the future at all times, especially upon initial entry or re-entry to the United States. If yours will expire soon, contact your home country's embassy in the United States.

Visa

Your visa can be expired while you are in the U.S. You can travel within the U.S. with an expired visa. However, if you travel outside of the U.S. you will not be able to enter on an expired visa. The visa will need to be renewed to re-enter.

If you have an old, expired passport with a valid U.S. entry visa, you do not need to get a new visa stamp in your new passport as long as you carry both passports when you enter the United States.

Evidence of Financial Support

It is strongly recommended that F/J nonimmigrants carry proof of the financial support and resources reflected on the Form I-20 or DS-2019. Proof of financial support bank statements, or financial support letters should be dated within the last 6 months.

I-20 or DS-2019

Make sure your original form I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1) has been PROPERLY ENDORSED (travel signature) by the school official or agency that issued the document. For current F/J Students and Scholars, an I-20 or DS-2019 travel endorsement is valid for 12 months, or until the expiration of the document, whichever is first. Please note: Those on F-1 post-completion OPT/STEM OPT must have the endorsement within the past 6 months. 

If you need an updated travel signature, email oip@uttyler.edu. 

Proof of Admission/Enrollment

F or J enrolled students: New students (entering for the first time) should travel with proof  admission. Continuing students should travel with proof of the current or next semester's registration. 

Traveling on OPT

In general, an F-1 student on post-completion OPT or STEM OPT may travel outside the United States temporarily and be readmitted to resume F-1 status and employment for the remainder of the period authorized on their EAD card. The student must not have exceeded the maximum OPT unemployment or OPT STEM Extension unemployment time and must not have been absent from the US for more than 5 months.

WARNING: Re-entering the United States in a status other than F-1 (such as a tourist) will invalidate F-1 status and OPT authorization.

Traveling While OPT or OPT STEM Extension is Pending

Travel during the OPT application process is allowed, but not recommended as it poses certain risks. Keep in mind the following:

• You will need to have someone monitor your mail and let you know if you receive any communications from USCIS.
• If you receive a Request for Evidence, you will need to respond by a specific deadline, which could be difficult from outside the U.S.
• For post-completion OPT: If you are denied for OPT while outside the United States after your Program Completion Date, you will not be able to re-enter or reapply. Your F-1 status will end.
• For OPT STEM Extension: If you are denied for OPT STEM Extension while outside the United States after your OPT EAD end date, you will not be able to re-enter or reapply. Your F-1 status will end.
• If you are approved for OPT/STEM while outside the United States, you will need to arrange for your EAD card to be sent to you in order to re-enter the United States.
• If your F-1 visa is expired, you will need to reapply for an F-1 visa with your EAD card and proof of employment.
• If you choose to travel while your application is pending, be sure that you are monitoring your mail and application online. 

OPT/STEM OPT I-20 Updates & Travel Endorsements

During OPT/STEM, the I-20 should be up-to-date with your current information, and the travel endorsement is only valid for 6 months.

• Employer Updates: If your OPT or STEM OPT is Approved, your I-20 should reflect the approval and your current employer on page 2.
• The Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) has an online system called "SEVP Portal" for students on OPT. On Day 1 of your approved OPT, you will receive an email from SEVP with instructions on how to create an account. Update your employer information using the SEVP Portal the send an email to oip@uttyler.edu requesting an updated I-20. You will receive a new I-20 via email with the new employer information.
• Travel Endorsement: To receive an updated travel signature, send an email to oip@uttyler.edu.
• Replacement I-20: If you need a new OPT or STEM I-20, you can submit a Replacement Document request to receive a new I-20 with a new travel endorsement via email at oip@uttyler.edu.