Travel to and in the United States

Required Documents:

• Carry your original documents in your hand luggage (not checked bags). You should have:

  • A valid passport (must be valid at least six months beyond your intended date of entry)

  • A valid U.S. visa appropriate for your academic activities (e.g., F, J)

  • Your Form I-20 (for F) or DS-2019 (for J), 

    1. Returning student: You must have a travel signature on page 2 for the I-20/page 2 for the DS-2019. It should be signed by your Designated School Official (DSO)/Responsible Officer (RO) within the semester.

  • Proof of SEVIS fee payment (Form I-901 receipt)

  • Admission/Invitation letter from your school

  • Any other supporting documentation, such as your school's contact information and evidence of financial support

At the Port of Entry:

• You will meet with a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer for inspection. The officer will:

  • Review your documents.

  • Ask questions about your purpose for entering the U.S., your school, and your intended activities. Make sure you have clear and consistent answers.

    1. Make sure you: 

       1. understand your major/research, 

       2. why you are coming to this school, 

       3. what you plan to do with your major, etc. 

  • May inspect your personal belongings and conduct searches of electronic devices

• Cooperate respectfully and answer questions truthfully. Refusal to cooperate can result in delays or denial of entry

I-94 Arrival/Departure Record:

• After entry, an electronic I-94 record will be created (paper form only at land borders). 

  1. Check your I-94 online as soon as possible to ensure your status and entry details are correct, and save or print a copy for your records

• You must be admitted for the correct period (usually "D/S" for F and J visas, meaning "Duration of Status")

Secondary Inspection:

• If there are questions about your documents or status, you may be sent to "secondary inspection" for further review

• If you are missing required documents or there are SEVIS issues, you may be issued a Form I-515A, which allows temporary entry (30 days) to resolve the issue

  1. Set a meeting to discuss this form with your DSO immediately.

Other Important Tips:

• Look through your social media and photos on your phone. Delete any that you would  not want your grandmother/grandfather to see.

• Do not bring prohibited or restricted items in your luggage; CBP will inspect your belongings

• Clean shoes and clothing if you have visited farms or markets abroad to avoid agricultural inspection issues

• Make copies of all important documents: leave one set with family and one with your school

• Contact your school immediately after arrival to confirm your entry and maintain your SEVIS status

• If you have changed your immigration status or have pending applications (like OPT), consult your DSO before traveling

Final Reminders:

• Always double-check your documents before travel.

• Keep your DSO informed of your travel plans.

• Stay calm and cooperative during inspection.

CBP officers have the final authority to admit you into the U.S.; entry is never guaranteed

What Is Automatic Revalidation?

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has the authority and the responsibility over the admission of travelers to the United States. Under the automatic revalidation provision of immigration law, certain temporary visitors holding expired nonimmigrant visas who seek to return to the U.S. may be admitted at a U.S. port-of-entry by CBP, if they meet certain requirements, including, but not limited to the following:

• Nonimmigrants who departed the United States for brief travel to Canada, Mexico, or an adjacent island (for F and J nonimmigrants) for thirty days or less;

• Nonimmigrants with a valid (unexpired) admission stamp or paper Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, endorsed by DHS.

For more information about automatic revalidation provisions and reentry to the United States, visit Automatic Revalidation for Certain Temporary Visitors on the CBP Webpage.

Automatic revalidation is not the same as applying for a new visa. If you apply for a new nonimmigrant visa you cannot take advantage of automatic revalidation.

CBP officers have the final authority to admit you into the U.S.; entry is never guaranteed

Get your I-20 or DS-2019 signed

Carry Proper Identification and Immigration Documents in physical form

• Current passport valid for at least 6 months (printed copy when on campus, original if off campus)

• Most recently-issued U.S. visa (printed copy when on campus, original if off campus)

• I-94 record (printed copy)

• I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1) signed by the DSO for travel

  1. signature should be less than 6 months old

• Most recent, signed Form I-20 or DS-2019 (printed copy)

• Proof of enrollment, and/or employment (printed copies)

• On OPT/STEM? Carry your EAD card.

Do not travel with your Social Security Number (SSN) card unless you need it for employment onboarding! Keep your SSN card at home in a safe location! 

• Any time you travel internationally, there is always a risk involved because there is never a guarantee you will be permitted re-entry to the U.S.

• There does appear to be increased scrutiny of most immigration processes, including visa issuance and Port of Entry decisions

• Many U.S. universities, immigration attorneys, and other organizations are recommending that international students, scholars, and their dependents avoid international travel, if possible.

• In addition to the documentation shared on the last page, make sure you have:

  • A U.S. visa that will be valid on your intended arrival date (original)

  • Valid signature(s) on current Form I-20 or DS-2019 for you and any F-2/J-2 dependents (original)

  • Copies of your previously-issued I-20s or DS-2019s (digital)

Do not travel with your Social Security Number (SSN) card unless you need it for employment onboarding! Keep your SSN card at home in a safe location! 

Carry Proper Identification and Immigration Documents

• For local travel (within your city or metro area), it is generally sufficient to carry copies of your immigration documents, such as your passport information page, visa, I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1), and I-94 arrival/departure record

• For travel outside your local area—including by air, train, or bus, or especially near U.S. borders (within 100 miles of Canada, Mexico, or coastlines)—carry your original, unexpired passport, visa, I-20 or DS-2019, and your most recent I-94. These may be requested by law enforcement or U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers.

REAL ID Requirement for Air Travel

• Beginning May 7, 2025, all travelers 18 and older must present a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card, or another TSA-acceptable form of identification (such as a valid passport), to board domestic flights.

• As an international person, your valid passport will be accepted in place of the REAL ID.

Tips for Document Safety

• When traveling locally, consider carrying color photocopies of your documents to avoid losing the originals.

• When traveling outside your local area, always carry the original documents on your person, not in checked luggage.

• Keep digital scans or photos of your documents on your phone as a backup.

Traveling Near Borders or on Cruises

• If you are traveling near the U.S. border or to U.S. territories, be aware that you may encounter immigration checkpoints. Always have your original documents with you in these areas.

• For cruises, verify if your route includes international stops; if so, additional documentation and travel signatures may be required.

Legal Requirement

• U.S. law requires nonimmigrants to carry evidence of their lawful status at all times. This means you should have your I-94 and immigration documents available, especially outside your local area.