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

Carry Proper Identification and Immigration Documents

• Passport 

• visa

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

  1. signature should be less than 6 months old

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.