When travelling to or within the U.S., there are some things you need to be aware of and some information you should be prepared to submit, if requested.
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),
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.
Make sure you:
understand your major/research,
why you are coming to this school,
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).
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
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
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.
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 [CBP Notice], 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 (Saint Pierre, Miquelon, The Dominican Republic, Haiti, Bermuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, The Windward and Leeward Islands, Trinidad, Martinique, Other British, French, and Netherlands territory or possessions in or bordering on the Caribbean Sea) (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.
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