Travel Information
Travel Outside the U.S.
You will find information below regarding traveling and reentering the U.S. and information about applying for a visa after it has expired. Click on the topic below that applies to you to expand the detailed travel information.
Remember, it is the discretion of the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer to determine your eligibility for reentry to the U.S.
Every time you travel, you should check your new I-94 Arrival/Departure Record for visa category, expiration date, etc. for accuracy. Make sure you print out or save your new I-94 Arrival/Travel Departure Record for your records, as the I-94 system only keeps track of 5 years of travel. You may need this information when obtaining future immigration benefits.
Travel Resources
Below are links you will find useful regarding traveling:
Travel Information as Per Your Category
Are you eligible to travel and return to the U.S.?
You must be in valid F-1 status. If you depart during the fall or spring semester, you must be registered for a full-time course load.
You must have a valid F-1 visa to return to the U.S. If you changed your status to F-1 while inside the U.S., you will need to apply for an F-1 visa in your home country the first time you depart the U.S.
You must have been outside the U.S. for less than five months. If you are planning to take an academic leave of absence for one or more semesters, please contact an ISSS advisor for assistance.
Please note: As an F-1 requirement, students should be in the U.S. attending their in-person courses for the duration of the semester. If students are not traveling during school breaks (President’s Day Holiday, Spring Break, etc.) or taking a short trip (a few days) during the semester, students should be submitting an Authorized Early Withdrawal (AEW) for the semester.
ISSS cannot guarantee that you will not face issues in the future for traveling for long periods (not weekend or weeklong trips during scheduled school breaks) in the middle of the semester, leaving a semester early, or for arriving late, as the dates of the semester are reported to DHS every semester.
It is up to you to determine the best course of action for your obligations and academics. Please let us know if you have questions re-garding the AEW.
What to bring to U.S. Ports of Entry:
Valid travel signature on page 2 of the Form I-20 signed by a Designated School Official (DSO) in the ISSS office within the last year. If you need a new travel signature, you can request one using the I-20 Reprint Request Form; reason: Travel found in your ISSS Student Portal.
Valid F-1 visa, which must also be valid beyond the date you plan to return to the U.S.
Passport valid for at least 6 months at time of entry to the U.S. In certain instances, CBP extends passport validity for an additional six months after the passport's expiration date for passport holders of certain countries. To see if your country is permitted this option, visit the CBP website.
Academic transcripts and documentation of your financial support are also highly recommended, though not required.
If you travel without all of the required documentation or you travel without a valid travel signature, you may receive a Form I-515A at the port of entry. You can read more about the Form I-515A You can read more about the Form I-515A at the bottom of this page.
Are you eligible to travel and return to the U.S.?
You must be in valid F-1 status.
You must have a valid F-1 visa to return to the U.S. If you changed your status to F-1 while inside the U.S., you will need to apply for an F-1 visa in your home country the first time you depart the U.S.
You must have been outside the U.S. for less than five months. If you are planning to engage in extended business travel overseas, please contact an ISSS advisor for assistance.
You must have a valid OPT job or have been unemployed for less than the unemployment limit (90 days for post-completion OPT, with an additional 60 days for the STEM extension). It is highly recommended that you do not seek to reenter the U.S. unless you are employed or have a job offer in hand.
What to Bring to U.S. Ports of Entry:
Your Form I-20 signed for travel on page 2 by a Designated School Official (DSO) in the ISSS office. The DSO signature must be less than six months old. If you need a new travel signature, you can request one using the I-20 Reprint Request (reason: Travel) in your ISSS Student Portal.
Valid F-1 visa, which must also be valid beyond the date you plan to return to the U.S.
Passport valid for at least 6 months at time of entry to the U.S. In certain instances, CBP extends passport validity for an additional six months after the passport's expiration date for passport holders of certain countries. To see if your country is permitted this option, visit the CBP website.
Offer letter/employment letter (this should be on letterhead with your employer's signature) and other proof of employment, if available (like pay stubs). Information regarding travel on OPT without employment is located on the ICE website.
If you travel without all of the required documentation or you travel without a valid travel signature, you may receive a Form I-515A at the port of entry. You can read more about the Form I-515A at the bottom of this page.
Note: If you are applying for post-completion OPT, please contact ISSS if you plan to travel during your grace period (after your program of study ends and before post-completion OPT begins). If you are applying for the STEM extension, it is not possible to travel after your post-completion OPT end date with a pending STEM extension application; you must wait until you receive the EAD.
What to Bring to U.S. Ports of Entry:
Original DS-2019 signed for travel. Validity of signature depends on the program category and can be valid for 1 year or 6 months. If you need a new travel signature, you can request one using the Travel Endorsement Request Form.
Valid (unexpired) J-1 visa. If your visa has expired, plan for obtaining new visa at a U.S. Consulate abroad
Passport valid for at least 6 months at time of entry to the U.S. In certain instances, CBP extends passport validity for an additional six months after the passport's expiration date for passport holders of certain countries. To see if your country is permitted this option, visit the CBP website.
Scholars should carry the Stevens job offer letter in case it is requested at the Consulate or at the port of entry
If You Need to Renew Your J-1 Visa:
Information about getting the J-1 visa is located on the Department of State website in addition to information regarding current visa appointment wait times.
Carry approved Form I-797, H-1B Notice of Action (Approval Notice)
Review visa stamp in passport and, if visa is expired, plan for obtaining new visa at a U.S. Consulate abroad
Review passport expiration date; passport should be valid for 6 months at time of entry to the U.S. (However, if the country from which your passport was issued is listed here, the country extends passport validity for an additional six months after the passport's expiration date, so you may use your passport to enter the U.S. as long as it is unexpired.)
Carry the Stevens job offer letter in case it is requested at the Consulate or at the port of entry
Consult ISSS director prior to travel to discuss any pending process of LPR, pending H-1B extensions, etc.
Special Considerations and FAQs
Please be advised that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has the ability to lawfully inspect electronic devices - including phones, laptops, tablets, and other electronic devices - at U.S. border crossings (land, sea, air, and pre-clearance locations abroad). The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) has issued a handout with additional information regarding the types of searches and how to protect your data at the U.S. border.
If you are in the process of applying to USCIS for reinstatement to F-1 status.
If you have a pending Change of Status application.
If you plan to be absent for five months or longer. F-1 students are not able to maintain F-1 status if they are outside the U.S. for a period of five months or more.
If you have a pending post-completion OPT application (in particular, after the program end date on your I-20) or STEM extension application.
If your employer has filed an H-1B petition for you with USCIS (please consult your company’s immigration attorney about travel in this situation).
Citizens of certain countries must have a visa to enter Canada. To find out if you need a visa to obtain visa application instructions, please refer to the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website. You may also visit the page for the Canadian Consulate in NYC.
Everyone who visits Mexico must have a tourist cards or visas; these may be obtained at the Mexican Consulate. For a list of required documents, please refer to the Mexican Consulate in NYC.
As an F or M student, if you arrive at a U.S. port of entry and do not have all your signed required documents, have not paid the I-901 SEVIS Fee on your current Form I-20, or have a Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) status issue, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer may deny your entry into the United States. As an alternative, the officer has discretion to issue you a Form I-515A. This document allows you to have temporary admission into the United States for 30 days. To maintain your nonimmigrant student status, you must address your Form I-515A within the time provided to you.
For more detailed information about the I-515A, visit the Study in the States website and the instructions for replying to the I-515A.
Every time you travel, you should check your new I-94 Arrival/Departure Record for visa category, expiration date, etc. for accuracy. If your I-94 record is incorrect, you will need to get it corrected by Customers and Border Protection (CBP) at a Deferred Inspection Site. The Deferred Inspection Site staff will be able to remedy errors related to improper non-immigrant classification (example: B-1/B-2 listed instead of F-1), inaccurate biographical information, incorrect period of admission, etc. Any Deferred Inspection Site, regardless of arrival port of entry, should be able to assist you. Please visit the CBP Deferred Inspection Site webpage for more information and a complete list of Sites in the U.S. Please note Newark, NJ is listed under New York. Deferred Inspections may be able to make the correction over the phone or you may need to make the correction in person. Please call the number listed on the CBP Deferred Inspection Site webpage for more information and further instruction.
Travelling and Visa Renewals
On June 18, 2025 the Department of State (DOS) announced "new guidance" on social media vetting for nonimmigrant (F, M, J) visa appointments. DOS requires that applicants "set all social media accounts to "public" and that limited access to, or visibility of, online presence could be construed as an effort to evade or hide certain activity." According to news outlets, the cable sent to consular offices instructs consular officers to vet the social media presence and identify individuals that have "hostile attitudes" toward the United States. This new process applied to all F, M, J visa applicants, new or returning (visa renewals).
List of the documents you will need for the F-1 visa renewal:
Form I-20 signed for travel (travel signatures are valid for one year from the date your I-20 is signed). If you need a new travel signature, you can request one using the I-20 Reprint Request (reason: Travel) in the ISSS Student Portal.
Official transcript from Stevens.
Class schedule for the current semester or if you are applying over a break (summer or winter), your class schedule for the following semester. Your class schedule can be found in Workday.
Documentation of financial support for your first year of study and proof of renewable funds for the following years. The annual amount you need is found on the Financial Documentation Requirements Page
Financial Information & Affidavit of Support from each of your financial sponsors. If you are being supported by the government of your home country, you do not need an affidavit. If your support comes entirely from Stevens (graduate assistantship, stipend,
etc.), you do not need an affidavit. Bills from the last year showing that you have paid your tuition.Proof of permanent residence in your home country.
SEVIS fee receipt (if you cannot find your old one, you will need to reprint your SEVIS fee receipt). Passport valid for six months into the future from the date you will return to the U.S.
Information about getting the F-1 visa is located on the Department of State website in addition to information regarding current visa appointment wait times. You may also want to review this resource on 10 Points to Remember When Applying for a Student Visa.
List of the documents you will need for the F-1 visa renewal:
Latest Form I-20 that says “OPT approved” on the second page, has your current employer’s name and address, and has been signed for travel in the last six (6) months. If you need a new travel signature, you can request one using the Reprint I-20 Request (reason: travel) found in the ISSS Student Portal.
Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card.
Proof of employment in the form of both an offer letter/employment verification letter (on company letterhead, signed by your supervisor or Human Resources).
Proof of permanent residence in your home country.
Official transcript and copy of your diploma (certifying that you graduated) from Stevens.
Evidence of financial support (example: salary or paystubs).
SEVIS fee receipt (if you cannot find your old one, you will need to reprint your SEVIS fee receipt).
Passport valid for six months into the future from the date you will return to the U.S.
Information about getting the F-1 visa is located on the Department of State website in addition to information regarding current visa appointment wait times. You may also want to review this resource on 10 Points to Remember When Applying for a Student Visa.
Automatic Revalidation allows 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:
Nonimmigrants who departed the U.S. for brief travel to Canada, Mexico, or an adjacent island (F and J nonimmigrants) for less than 30 days.
Nonimmigrants with a valid (unexpired) admission stamp or Form I94 Arrival/Departure Record, endorsed by DHS
The policies and regulations regarding Automatic Visa Revalidation are located on the Department of State website and on the CBP website.
Automatic revalidation is not the same as applying for a new visa. Please make sure you review the information on the Department of state and CBP website for eligibility of this benefit.