Travel Information for F-1 Students

Traveling Domestically within the U.S.:

• You do not need special permission to travel within the United States
  • This also includes Alaska and Hawaii
• However, you must always carry the following documents whenever you travel outside Rio Grande Valley:
  • Your UTRGV Student ID Card
  • Your passport
  • And the most updated I-94 with a copy of the I-20

Traveling Internationally outside the U.S.:

Who This Applies To:

• This section is for international students with F-1 visas
• It explains how to reenter the U.S. after international travel
• If you have a different visa:
  • F-2 or J visa holders should contact ISS for guidance

Important reminder:

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will decide if you can enter the U.S.
• This decision is made at the airport or port of entry
• It is based on your documents and situation at that time
• UTRGV cannot guarantee reentry

What You Should Do

• Use this information to prepare before traveling
• Make sure your documents are complete and up to date
• If you have questions:
  • Contact International Student Services (ISS)

Documents required to reenter the U.S.:

1 ) Valid Passport:

• Must be valid for at least 6 months after your re-entry date
• Some countries are exempt from this rule
  
  • To see if your country qualifies, please refer to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Travel Website

2 ) Valid F-1 Visa:

• Must be valid at the time of reentry
• Exception:
  • You may reenter with an expired visa if:
    • You travel to Canada, Mexico, or adjacent islands
    • Your trip is less than 30 days
• See the Automatic Visa Revalidation section for more details.

3 ) SEVIS Form I-20, endorsed for travel by DSO:

• Your Form I-20 must be signed for travel
• The signature must come from a Designated School Official (DSO)
• Important:
  • Get your signature before leaving the U.S.
  • Each signature is valid for one year
  • To receive a signature, please complete "Request Travel Endorsement Signature on Form I-20"
• Processing time:
  • May take up to 5 business days
  • May take longer during busy periods, especially toward the end of semester, school break, and holiday.

Optional But Recommended Documents:

1 ) Evidence of Financial Resources:

• Bank statements, Sponsor letter, or Scholarship letter
• Should cover:
  • One year of your expenses
  • Indicated on the first page of your I-20

2 ) Evidence of Student Status:

• Recent tuition receipts, Transcripts, or Class schedule

Automatic Visa Revalidation:

What It is:

• You may reenter the U.S. with an expired F-1 visa in some cases
• This applies if you travel to:
  • Canada
  • Mexico
  • Certain nearby islands
• Your trip must be:
  • Less than 30 days

When You Are NOT Eligible

• You cannot use Automatic Visa Revalidation if any of these apply:

  • You applied for a new visa and it is still pending
  • You applied for a new visa and it was denied
  • Your SEVIS record shows that you are out of status
  • You stayed outside the U.S. for more than 30 days
  • You are a citizen of:
    • Cuba
    • Iran
    • North Korea
    • Sudan
    • Syria

Before You Travel

• Review guidance from:
  • the Travel webpage by U.S. Customs and Border Protection
• Make sure you meet all eligibility requirements
• Carry all required travel documents

Additional Information

• A list of “adjacent islands” is available on:

  • U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Travel Website

Travel while on Post-Completion OPT/STEM OPT:

• When returning to the U.S., you must show the same documents (mentioned above) as current students
• You will present them to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer
• In addition, the following documentation is required depending on your OPT status: 

If Your OPT Application Is Pending:

• You may return to the U.S. to search for a job.
• Bring:
  • Bring the original Notice of Action (receipt notice) issued by USCIS
  • You can access this form through your USCIS Online Account

If Your OPT Is Approved:

• You must carry your Form I-20 with the most updated employer information on page 2.
  • To request an updated I-20, complete the "Request for I-20 After OPT Update" form.
• Bring your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card.
• Bring a Letter from your Employer confirming employment or a job offer. The letter should:
  • Be printed on the employer’s letterhead
  • Include supervisor contact information
  • Provide a brief job description related to your field of study
  • Confirm that the position is commensurate with your education level
  • Specify that the employment period falls 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.
• For more important information regarding your student's travel guidelines, forms, and other information, visit:
  •  U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Travel Website