Travel Information for F and J Status Holders

For students and scholars who will be leaving the U.S. temporarily during their studies or programs (or practical training).

J-1 Exchange Visitors – Please note that you must have advance permission from ISSS for travel and/or a break in your program.

 

Getting a Travel Signature

Complete a travel endorsement request in the Global portal anytime.  I-20s can be signed digitally, but DS-2019s must have an ink pen signature.  Come in during an ISSS “Travel Day” near the end of each semester, or at any point to request a signature on your I-20 or DS-2019 (and for your dependents who will also travel).  While a signature may almost one year old and still considered “valid” when you return to the U.S., if you are more comfortable with a 6 month old signature, we’re happy to sign.

When we look at your documents for a signature, among other things, we’ll be checking your

• Holds
• Course registration in the previous two semesters (or authorized RCL), or four IEP sessions
• SEVIS program end date
• Intended graduation date
• Current address/phone (make sure you have updated Ursa!)
• Program of study (level, majors, minors)
• Course registration for the following term (and holds that would prevent registration)
• That you have submitted official transcripts for any approved concurrent enrollment

When You Travel

Carry the following documents:

• Valid Certificate of Eligibility with travel signature
  • I-20 with a travel signature on page 2 or DS-2019 with travel signature on page 1
  • For continuing students and EV the signature cannot be more than 1 year old when you return.  Students on OPT must have a signature no more than 6 months old.
  • Check your program end date. If your program is about to expire and you intend to return to complete studies/program, you must file for an extension prior to departure. 
  • Also check to be sure that your major field of study is correct.  If you are a bachelor’s student and have not formally declared a major, we cannot change your major until you formally declare.
• A current passport, valid for at least six months from date you return to the U.S.
• If you get a new passport while you are outside the U.S., please be sure to get ISSS a copy.
• A valid visa for return the US in the correct status.
  • Citizens of Canada do not need visa stamps to enter the U.S. in F or J status, but they do need a valid Canadian passport and valid I-20/DS-2019. Permanent residents/landed immigrants of Canada, are required to have visas.
  • If you have more than one U.S. visa, please be sure to present the appropriate visa at the Port of Entry when you return, and verify that you are entering in the correct status.

Not required, but strongly advised:

• Valid proof of financial support to pay living expenses and tuition.
• Contact information for ISSS. OGE’s main number is 970.351.2396 during regular business hours; If you are in Secondary Inspection after business hours on weekends and will be denied entry if Customs & Border Protection cannot reach an advisor, the emergency number is +1.970.576.9572.
• Printed I-901 fee receipt (www.fmjfee.com ) for current SEVIS ID.
• Transcripts and a schedule for next academic term.
• It’s a good idea to have a set of copies packed in a separate bag or saved to your phone or other device if you need to replace lost or stolen originals.  Be sure all of your originals are in your hand luggage.  DO NOT pack them in your checked luggage.

Always allow for plenty of time between arrival in the U.S. and your flight to Denver if you are connecting inside the United States.  4 hours or more is minimal.  Delays at Customs, especially for anyone pulled into “secondary inspection,” can be several hours.

Have a back-up plan.  Anyone can be denied entry into the U.S.  It does not happen often, but it is wise to have a plan in place.  Who would have access your apartment or dorm to pack up and ship your things? Does someone with a power of attorney who can act on your behalf in the U.S. if you cannot re-enter and act for yourself?  This is particularly important for students with families and children –especially if the family is not traveling together.  Remember that F-2 and J-2 dependents should not be here without the F-1 or J-1 principal for more than a few days – their status is based on the F-1 or J-1 visa holder.

Visas.  Current security protocols have increased the risk of significant delays in visa processing.  Excepting Canadians, students or Exchange Visitors with expired visas or who changed visa status while in the U.S., must obtain a new visa prior to re-entry, with the exception of those using automatic revalidation (see below).

We recommend for a visa in your country of residence whenever possible, rather than in a third country. Contact the U.S. Consulate where you will apply for a visa for information on visa appointments, document requirements and application processing times.

We do not currently recommend trying to renew visas during short trips like spring break.  It has become more common for Consulates to initiate security checks for returning students and scholars.  These checks are unpredictable, and usually take several weeks to complete at a minimum–occasionally they take a year.  If a security check has been initiated, the Consulate must wait for an answer from Washington, DC before issuing a visa. We have found that, no matter how long the delay has been, the Consulate and Department of State in Washington, DC will almost never respond to pleas by universities or student applicants, although occasionally attorneys are able to get additional information.

Automatic Visa Revalidation*

For travel to only Mexico, Canada, or adjacent islands**  students and scholars may be able  to re-enter the U.S. even with an expired U.S. visa. This benefit, known as “automatic visa revalidation” can also be used by students and EVs who changed status while in the United States.   To be eligible the traveler must have the following conditions met (see http://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/auto_reva.pdf for additional details):

• Have a valid I-94 [ printout or front and back of white paper card].  If you have a paper i-94 stapled into your passport or a I-797A indicating a change of status, do not turn it in when you depart the United States if you intend to use revalidation.
• I-20 or DS-2019 with valid signature for travel.
• Travel must be less than 30 days to Canada, Mexico, or adjacent islands only.  If you one of these destinations for transit to other countries, automatic revalidation is not an option.
• Have maintained and intend to maintain non-immigrant status during your current stay.
• Has not applied for a new visa during trip.
• Has never had a visa canceled under INA 222[g].
• Is not inadmissible as non-immigrant under INA 212.
• Are not a citizen or national of a country that has been designated as a "state sponsor of terrorism.”*

We recommend meeting with your immigration advisor and getting additional documentation of the benefit before traveling.

*Citizens of Iran, Sudan, North Korea, or Syria  can not use “automatic visa revalidation”.

**defined as Saint Pierre, Miquelon, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, the Windward and Leeward Islands, Trinidad, Martinique, and other British, French, and Netherlands territories or possessions in or bordering on the Caribbean Sea, but NOT Cuba

Verify I-94 Information On Arrival

You should verify your I-94 online each time you enter to confirm that your Admit Until Date, and Class of Admission are correct.   Rather than the normal “D/S” (Duration of Status), Some I-94’s may have a date certain (expiration date) that may be close to or the same as your visa expiration date.  This can prompt an arrest warrant to be issued if you are here longer than 60 days after that date – even by mistake.  If the information on your I-94 is wrong, make an appointment with your immigration advisor to get assistance in requesting a correction as soon as possible.

Resources for Travel & Knowing Your Rights

• https://www.ice.gov/sevis/travel
• https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/what-do-when-encountering-law-enforcement-airports-and-other-ports-entry-us
• https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/what-do-when-encountering-law-enforcement-additional-information-non-citizens?redirect=know-your-rights/when-encountering-law-enforcement-additional-information-non-citizens
• https://www.aclu.org/blog/free-future/can-border-agents-search-your-electronic-devices-its-complicated

Important Cautions

Arrests for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol (DUI) may immediately result in a visa being “prudentially” revoked by the US Department of State with or without notice to the visa applicant.   The visa holder is supposed to be informed by the issuing Consulate, but it seems to be inconsistent, and notices may be sent to an old email or address.

A revoked visa does not generally affect your status while you remain inside the U.S.  However if your visa has ever been revoked, there can be serious delays in applying for a new one.   If you have even a single arrest for a DUI (1 arrest in 5 years, or 2 arrests in any time period), there is a process of referral to a panel physician for evaluation of addiction/abuse. If the physician finds cause, the applicant become ineligible to get a visa , usually for at least 12 months,, for some applicants it takes several years to be cleared for a new visa.  This is a very subjective process, so even one arrest can be considered “abuse”.  

Individuals who have ever been arrested for a DUI or other serious offense should discuss it with their immigration advisor before departing the United States.  It would also be wise to consult with an immigration attorney.

Inadmissibility Under the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952.   Aliens can become inadmissible based on illegal activities such as conviction of or admitting use or distribution of any illicit drug (including marijuana, even in states like Washington, Colorado, and Alaska where it is “legal” or outside the U.S.); conviction of 2 or more crimes in which the sentences of imprisonment add up to at least 5 years; any crime involving “moral turpitude” – that is any act that is inherently evil (fraud, larceny, intent to harm, etc.). 

Never lie to an immigration agent, but be aware that if you have been convicted of, admit to, or there is evidence of you using or distributing illegal or controlled substances (including marijuana in any form), or meet any of the other grounds for admissibility, you can (and likely will be) denied entry.  Never lie about your activities to a Consular officer or Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer, but you also do not have to volunteer information they have not asked for.

Travelers are being asked for access to electronic devices such as mobile phones and laptop computers, and for social media passwords at some Ports of Entry.  Even without the policy requiring it, refusing to provide those passwords may lead an officer to deny entry to you. Consider what sensitive information might be on your devices and think about your social media presence in advance – what may be a joke between you and a friend may appear very serious to a CBP officer.  We have seen entry denied and visas canceled based on evidence of academic dishonesty and use of marijuana, and for social media “friends” who are critical of U.S. policies.