International Travel in F-1 Status
Students in F-1 status travelling outside the U.S. need these documents in order to re-enter the U.S.
International Travel Checklist
Documents Required for U.S. Re-Entry
Document | Requirement | Special Cases |
Passport | Valid for 6+ months beyond entry date |
|
F-1 Visa | Valid (unless exempt) |
|
I-20 | Current travel signature ≤12 months old (page 2) | OPT students: ≤6 months old |
Unofficial Transcript | Recommended (request from College Registrar) |
|
EAD Card (OPT) | Not required for regular students | OPT students: MUST carry |
Critical Reminder:
- This list applies ONLY to U.S. re-entry
- Verify visa requirements for all destination/transit countries
Travel Signatures Explained
What You Need to Know:
- Validity Period:
- Standard students: 12 months
- OPT students: 6 months
- One Signature Covers All Trips within validity period
- Location: Page 2 of I-20 (signed by International Office)
Before Travel:
- Check signature date on I-20
- Request renewal if:
- Signature >12 months old (6 months for OPT)
- No signature exists
Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
These are U.S. territories and thus an F-1 student does not need a visa to travel to these locations from within the U.S., or to return to the U.S. from these locations.
International Cruise Travel
When a student travels on a “closed loop” cruise (beginning and ending the cruise at the same port in the U.S.), their I-94 record will not show their entry date after returning from the cruise. The lack of an entry date in this situation is not an I-94 error. Once the student reenters the U.S. after the cruise, their I-94 will be revalidated with no change to their status or previous date of entry.