Traveling Outside the U.S.
For the latest travel advisories, visit the U.S. Department of State’s website.
Advice for F-1 and J-1 Students and Scholars
- If applying for a new US Visa, you must have a SEVIS I-20/DS-2019. A SEVIS I-20/DS-2019 is necessary to re-enter the United States.
- All F-1 and J-1 Visa Stamp holders MUST have a valid travel signature on page 3 of their I-20 or the front of their DS-2019 in order to re-enter the United States. Travel signatures are valid for one calendar year, or until completion of program, whichever comes first.
- At least two weeks in advance of your planned departure from the United States, you should check to see that your passport, visa, and Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 are valid and will not expire while you are out of the country. You will need to apply for a new Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 from OIS (or your sponsor) if there have been any changes in your situation–for example, in your major, degree level or objective, or in the source(s) of your financial support–that are not indicated on your current I-20 or DS-2019
- Check section 5 of your I-20 or section 3 of your DS-2019 to see whether the completion date/end date is about to expire. If it is and you have not yet graduated or reached the end of your exchange visitor program you need to apply for an extension. Please contact OIS for an extension.
- In addition to reviewing the information on your I-20/DS-2019 for accuracy, you should check to make sure that an International Services advisor has signed the document for travel. Please allow at least one week before your planned departure to obtain an OIS advisor’s signature.
- This signature enables you to return to the US. You need a signature even if you are just traveling across the border into Canada or Mexico. In signing your visa document, the advisor is certifying that you are a full-time student in good standing at UALR.
- If you are traveling to a country other than your home country, you may need a visitor’s visa. To find out, visit that country’s embassy website at Foreign Embassies of Washington, D.C. and search for the Consular Section nearest you.
U.S. Visa
Is the U.S. visa stamp in your passport valid up to the date you plan to reenter the United States? If not, you must apply for a new visa. If you are a student, we strongly advise that you carry with you the following documents when applying for a new visa at a U.S. Consulate:
- Official Transcript issued by the Registrar of IU and by the registrar(s)
of any other U.S. institution(s) that you have attended. - Certificate of Enrollment issued by OIS
- Valid I-20 issued by OIS or a valid DS-2019 issued by OIS or your sponsor.
- Financial certification: documents indicating the source(s) and amount(s)
of financial support for your study in the current academic year.
As U.S. Consulates will NOT be open on certain days during the Christmas-New Year’s holiday period, there may be difficult time constraints on obtaining a new visa with which to return to IU. Reduced staffing in most consulates may mean that applying for a visa now takes much longer than it has in the past.
Employment in the U.S. After Graduation, Travel Abroad
December Graduates: If you plan to work in the U.S. you must apply for and receive work authorization before traveling outside the US.
F-1 Optional Practical Training
At the present, USCIS processing of applications for Optional Practical Training takes at least 3-4 months. You will need to plan your travel accordingly. Once you receive your EAD, you may travel outside of the U.S. but be sure to travel with your signed I-20, job offer letter and your EAD. The OPT recommendation on page 3 of your I-20 validates the travel signature for six (6) months. We strongly advise that you consult with a International Student Advisor regarding travel while on OPT prior to making plans to travel outside the US.