Travel Information for F-1 Students
Travel Domestically within the U.S.
Special permission is not required for F-1 students to travel within the U.S. from state to state, even to Alaska and Hawaii. However, you must carry your UTRGV Student ID card, passport, and the most updated I-94 with a copy of the I-20 whenever you travel outside Rio Grande Valley.
Travel Internationally outside the U.S.
This section provides basic information on immigration regulations for international students seeking to reenter the U.S. after traveling internationally. This information applies to international students who hold F-1 visas. If you have F-2 visas or J visas, please consult with ISS.
Please note that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the port of entry (airport) has the authority to decide whether you are admissible to the U.S. This decision is based upon facts and circumstances presented when you apply to enter. UTRGV cannot guarantee that you will be admitted or readmitted to the United States.
Use the following information to prepare yourself before seeking admission to the U.S. Always consult with International Student Services (ISS) if you have any questions.
Documents required to reenter the U.S.
- Passport valid for at least 6 months into the future: A current passport valid for at least six months after your re-entry date. Some countries have an agreement with the U.S. allowing entry with a passport up to the date of expiration. To see if your country qualifies, please refer to this web pageunder the drop-down section titled "What if I have an expired passport or one that will expire in less than six months?"
- Valid F-1 visa: If you are seeking entry to U.S. after traveling back from a contiguous country (Canada, Mexico) or adjacent islandsfor less than 30 days, you may be permitted to reenter with an expired F-1 visa. See the Automatic Visa Revalidation section for more details.
- SEVIS Form I-20, endorsed for travel by DSO:Your I-20 needs to be authorized for travel by the signature on the back page by a Designated School Official. You must plan to get your I-20 signed before leaving the U.S. Each signature authorizes travel for one year following the signature date. To receive a signature, please complete "Request Travel Endorsement Signature on Form I-20" It may take up to 5 business days for ISS to process your request, especially toward the end of semester, school break, and holiday.
- Evidence of Financial Resources (optional but recommended):A bank statement, a letter from your sponsor or a scholarship award letter. The amount should cover one year of expenses that you are responsible for as indicated on the first page of your I-20.
- Evidence of Student Status (optional but recommended):Recent tuition receipts, transcripts, or class schedules.
Automatic Visa Revalidation
If you are returning from Canada, Mexico or one of the adjacent islands* to the U.S. for fewer than 30 days, you may enter the U.S. with an expired F-1 visa. However, if you meet any one of the following criteria, you will not be able to automatically revalidate your visa.
- You applied for a new visa, and it has not been issued.
- You applied for a new visa and were denied.
- You have a terminated SEVIS record indicating that you are out of status.
- You have been out the United States for more than thirty days.
- You are a citizen of one of the following countries: Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, and Syria.
If you wish to travel using Automatic Visa Revalidation benefit, please make sure to review this web page by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
You can find the list of adjacent islands on this web page under the drop-down section titled "Which islands are defined as adjacent islands?"
Travel while on Post-Completion OPT/STEM OPT
To reenter the U.S. after traveling internationally while you are on OPT, you need to present the same documents (mentioned above) as current students to CBP officer at the port of entry. In addition, the following documentation are also required:
- If your OPT application is pending, you may return to the U.S. to do job search in the U.S. You should bring original Notice of Action (receipt notice) issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration office. You can find this form on your USCIS Online Account.
- If your OPT application has been approved, you must have your Form I-20 with your most updated employer information listed on page 2. To request an updated I-20, please complete "Request for I-20 After OPT Update." We encourage you bring your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card and the Letter from Employer confirming that you are employed or have been offered employment. This letter should be printed on employer's letterhead, includes contact information of a supervisor, brief job description that is related to your field of study and commensurate with your level of education and the duration of employment should be within your OPT authorization period.
Extended Stays Outside the U.S. (stay outside of the U.S. for more than 5 months)
If you will be outside of the U.S. for more than 5 months, you will be required to get a new I-20 prior to returning to the U.S.
Immigration regulations state that a stay outside of U.S. within 5 months is considered a break in F-1 status. After an absence of more than five months, an F-1 student is no longer admissible to the U.S. as a "continuing student." After five months the student must be issued a new "initial" I-20 and pay a new SEVIS fee. Please contact ISS for additional questions.