Travel Reminders
THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN YOU TRAVEL
If you are traveling outside the U.S., please check your SEVIS form I-20/DS-2019 for a valid travel signature by a Designated School Official from the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) at the Tempe campus. Signatures are valid for 1 year from the date of last signature except for students on OPT.*
- If the signature will be valid on the date that you will re-enter the U.S. you may use it for travel.
- If the signature will be expired on the date that you return to the U.S. bring your SEVIS form I-20/DS-2019 to the ISSO as soon as possible to obtain a travel signature. This process may take up to 10-14 working days. Failure to submit it in a timely manner may cause delay and the cost of mailing it to your country of destination will be your responsibility.
*OPT travel signatures are valid for 6 months from the date of last signature. For complete OPT travel information please go to http://www.asu.edu/international/opt.html#travel
You must have the following documents to return to the U.S. in F-1 or J-1 status:
- Valid F-1 or J-1 visa stamp
- SEVIS form I-20 or DS-2019 with travel signature endorsed by ISSO within 1 year
- Passport, valid 6 months into the future
- Enrollment Verification and ASU Unofficial Transcript (request from the REGISTRAR’s Office, SSV Building, Room #144)
If you plan to travel to a country other than your own, you should contact the Consulate of that country to find out if you need a visa. You can access it through the Department of State website http://www.state.gov/s/cpr/rls/ and follow to the list of Foreign Consulates in the U.S.
Automatic visa revalidation: Citizens of some countries who are in the U.S. with expired F-1/J-1 visa will be able to return to the U.S. after travel to Mexico, Canada and the neighboring islands/U.S. territories under the following conditions: visit is not more than 30 days and the purpose is pleasure or vacation only, maintained full-time status at all times, has I-20/DS-2019 endorsed for travel within a year. Check with an ISSO advisor if your country is on the list of non-eligibility to receive the automatic visa revalidation benefit.
If you are planning to renew your expired student visa in your home country you must apply early and expect delays. Submit your most current SEVIS form I-20/DS-2019 to the ISSO for travel endorsement at least 10-14 working days prior to departure.
DOCUMENTS for visa renewal purposes:
- SEVIS form I-20/DS-2019 with updated travel signature from ISSO
- Passport, valid 6 months into the future
- Financial guarantee (i.e., current semester TA/RA letter, bank statement obtained within the last 6 months)
- Enrollment Verification and ASU Unofficial Transcript (request from the REGISTRAR’s Office, SSV Building, Room #144)
Consult individual embassy websites for periodic updates on country-specific visa processing. Lists of U.S. Embassies abroad can be accessed through this website http://usembassy.state.gov.
When traveling within the U.S. outside the local area, you may be asked by an officer of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to show your immigration documents. Be sure you have your documents with you; keep them in a safe place so as not to misplace them or have them stolen from your car.
Students subject to SPECIAL REGISTRATION should remember all entry and exit requirements to avoid delays. For additional information or specific questions on special registration, go to the USICE website link http://www.ice.gov/pi/specialregistration/index.htm or contact USCIS National Customer Service Center 1-800-375-5283.
U.S.-Visit Program: U.S.-VISIT is part of a continuum of security measures that begins overseas and continues through a visitor’s arrival in and departure from the United States. For more information, visit the U.S.-VISIT Program website www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/programs/content_multi_image_0006.shtm