Travel and Visa Renewal

• Passport—Your passport must be valid at least six months into the future at all times, especially upon entry to the U.S. (unless exempt by country-specific agreements)
• Printed Form I-20 (F-1) or Form DS-2019 (J-1) with current travel signature—a travel signature on your Form I-20 (page 2) or DS-2019 (page 1) is valid for one year for current students. A more current travel signature is needed only if you will be applying for a new F-1 or J-1 entry visa while you are outside the U.S. 
• F-1 or J-1 entry visa—Your student visa must be valid on the date of your return to the U.S. and be notated "M" for multiple entries.
  • It does not need to remain valid during your stay in the U.S.
  • If you have an expired passport with a valid U.S. entry visa, you do not need to get a new visa stamp in your new passport as long as you carry both passports when you enter the U.S.
  • If your visa has expired and you are traveling outside the U.S. you will need to renew it at a U.S. consulate or embassy outside the U.S. before you can return to the U.S. 
  • Canadians or Bermudians do not need an F-1 visa. Status is obtained at the U.S. Port of Entry once F-1/J-1 documents are presented
  • Never enter the U.S. as a tourist during your program!
• Confirmation of Enrollment (recommended)—current/future class schedule, unofficial academic transcript (Workday Student), or an enrollment letter (available from the Registrar’s Office).
• Original funding documents (optional)—Personal bank statement or letter of financial support from your sponsor. All financial documents should be less than one year old.

Bring all of the following documents with you in order to successfully reenter the United States while on (c)(3)(B) Post-Completion OPT:

• Valid Passport (valid at least 6 months from the date of re-entry)
• Valid F-1 visa* (if your F-1 visa has expired, you will need to  renew it before you can re-enter the U.S.)
• Valid and Printed Form I-20 with a current travel signature (less than six months old)
• Original Employment Authorization Document (EAD) - while the EAD is marked, “Not valid for re-entry” this simply means that the card alone is not sufficient for re-entering the U.S.; it must be accompanied by all other immigration documents
• Proof of employment, such as an employment verification letter or a job offer letter:
  • A letter from your current or prospective employer which confirms employment or a job offer. There is no specific format but should be on company letterhead with dates of employment listed.
  • Business documentation for those who have started their own company

*Canadians or Bermudians do not need an F-1 visa as status is obtained at the U.S. Port of Entry once F-1 documents are presented

Other Travel Situations:

• Travel Before Program Completion: After applying for post-completion OPT but before completion of your program you may travel and re-enter the U.S. without proof of employment/EAD.
• Travel & Re-entry before OPT Start date: After the completion of your program, if you leave the U.S. and re-enter before your OPT start date, it is recommended to have all the documentation listed above.
  • If your OPT is not yet approved, have a printed receipt notice of your OPT application with you and be prepared to provide details about employment prospects. Entry to the U.S. is always at the CBP officer's discretion. 
• Travel & Re-entry with approved OPT but without a job:
  • If you have not yet secured employment, be prepared to provide details about employment prospects (i.e. proof of active job hunting). Entry to the U.S. is always at the CBP officer's discretion.
• Cap-Gap Extension of OPT: If you have an H-1B application pending, students are strongly advised not to depart the U.S. until they qualify for travel and re-entry in H-1B status. Visit our CAP-GAP Extension Of OPT page for additional information.

Note: Always enter in F-1 status. If you re-enter the U.S. in another status (such as B-1/B-2 tourist), you will no longer be eligible for or able to use OPT.

Bring all of the following documents with you in order to successfully reenter the United States while on (c)(3)(C) STEM OPT:

• Valid Passport (valid at least 6 months from the date of re-entry)
• Valid F-1 visa* (if your F-1 visa has expired, you will need to renew it before you can re-enter the U.S.)
• Valid and Printed Form I-20 with a travel signature less than six months old
• Valid Employment Authorization Document (EAD) showing your approved STEM OPT extension
• Most recent Form I-20 with valid travel signature (less than six months old)
• Proof of employment - evidence of a job offer or resumption of employment

*Canadians or Bermudians do not need an F-1 visa as status is obtained at the U.S. Port of Entry once F-1 documents are presented

Additional Travel Considerations

• Travel while your STEM OPT extension application is pending:
  • If your travel & reentry date is AFTER the end date on Post-Completion OPT EAD, you should carry the USCIS receipt notice of your STEM OPT extension application in place of STEM EAD
  • If your travel & reentry is BEFORE the end date on Post-Completion EAD, follow the information under "Post-Completion OPT" travel advise 
• If your employer has filed for an H-1B visa on your behalf, check with your employer about any travel plans as leaving the U.S. while an H-1B application is pending may jeopardize your application.
• Do not enter as a tourist throughout your STEM OPT period - always in F-1 status.

A passport with a valid J-1 visa* is still required for J-1 students with Post-Completion Academic Training (AT) along with these documents:

• Updated Form DS-2019 showing Academic Training, updated program end date, and a current travel signature (less than one year old)
• Academic Training letter from the Glavin Office
• Proof of current employment
  • Job offer letter or a letter from your current employer confirming active employment. There is no specific format but should be on company letterhead with dates of employment listed.

*if your J-1 visa has expired you will need to  at a U.S. consulate outside the U.S. Canadians or Bermudians do not need an J-1 visa as status is obtained at the U.S. Port of Entry once J-1 documents are presented