International Student Services: Travel

If you leave the U.S. at any time during your studies you must be in possession of a valid SEVIS I-20 or DS-2019 document, with a valid travel signature, to present to the immigration officer upon return to the U.S. .A valid travel signature notifies the the Department of Homeland Security (ICE, CPB, CIS) that you are maintaining legal student status at UP. If you have substantial changes in the amount or source of your financial support, degree or field of study, or graduation date, obtain a new I-20 or DS-2019 from ISS which reflects the new information before traveling.

When traveling outside the U.S. bring the following documents with you:

F-1/F-2 Visa Holders

• Valid Passport
• Valid I-20 form
• Valid F visa
• Valid travel signature on page 3 of I-20 (Signatures are valid for 1 year and can be obtained only by an ISS advisor)

J-1/J-2 Visa Holders

• Valid Passport
• Valid DS-2019 form
• Valid J visa
• Valid travel signature in travel signature section of DS-2019 (Signatures are valid for 1 year and can be obtained only by an ISS advisor)

You will surrender your I-94 card to the immigration officer when leaving the U.S. except when you travel to Canada or Mexico. You may also wish to carry a status letter with you when you travel. This letter indicates that you are a maintaining legal student status at UP. Send an email to iss@up.edu to request a status letter at least five business days before traveling.

NOTE: Depending upon your country of citizenship, you may need a visa to enter Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean. If you travel to these areas contact the appropriate embassy in the U.S.; If you are not sure if you need a visa to travel to these or other countries contact ISS for a consultation.

Closest Canadian and Mexican consulate offices: