• Required Documents

Whether making your first or subsequent entry into the U.S. on a non-immigrant visa, it is important to be prepared by carrying your required travel documents. SISS strongly recommends carrying originals, but also having back-up copies in a secure location that you can access, in case originals are stolen or lost.

• Travel Documents for J-1 Scholars

• - Unexpired passport valid at least sixty days into the future on date of arrival
  - Unexpired J-1 entry visa (Canadian citizens are exempt from the visa requirement)
  - Valid Form DS-2019 issued by SISS or your J-1 sponsor
      -- If traveling internationally after your initial arrival in the U.S.: your DS-2019 must have a travel endorsement signature from SISS on page 1 of the form. The travel signature is valid for twelve (12) months or until the end of your program, whichever is first. If you need a travel endorsement signature, log into iGlobal to submit a travel signature request.
  - Form I-901 SEVIS fee payment copy
  - Appointment or invitation letter from UC Davis, and proof of financial ability (if separate from your appointment letter)
  - For current employees, evidence of current employment or visiting scholar status at UC Davis, such as a verification letter from your department

  J-2 dependents must carry the above documents plus their own J-2 Form DS-2019. If the dependents are traveling separately from the J-1 scholar, they should carry copies of the J-1’s passport ID page, visa, and Form DS-2019.

• Travel Documents for H-1B, TN-2 and O-1 Employees

• - Unexpired passport valid at least sixty days into the future on date of arrival
  - Unexpired entry visa (Canadian citizens are exempt from the visa requirement)
  - Valid I-797A approval notice authorizing current employment with UC Davis
  - Documents included in your H-1B application packet, including copies of your Form I-129 application, LCA application, CV, and academic credentials, letter of appointment
  - For current employees, evidence of current employment with UC Davis, such as an employment verification letter from your department, or three months of recent pay statements

  Dependents should carry a valid passport and valid dependent visa (e.g., H-4, TD, or O-3). If traveling separately, they should also carry a copy of the employee’s I-797A visa approval, visa, and proof of UC Davis employment.

• Travel Documents for TN-1 Employees (Canadian Citizens Only)
• - Unexpired passport valid at least sixty days into the future on date of arrival
  - Offer letter from UC Davis detailing your TN employment position
  - Evidence of your qualifying academic credentials, such as diploma / transcript with educational credential evaluation, if needed
  - If only making a short trip to Canada and back, a printout of your most recent Form I-94 showing your current status and status expiration date
  - For current employees, evidence of current employment with UC Davis, such as an employment verification letter from your department, or three months of recent pay statements
• Travel Documents for E-3 Employees (Australian Citizens Only)
• - Unexpired passport valid at least sixty days into the future on date of arrival
  - Unexpired E-3 entry visa valid on the date of re-entry to the U.S.
  - Labor Condition Application issued by UC Davis for your E-3 employment
  - Offer letter from UC Davis for your E-3 position
  - For current employees, evidence of current employment with UC Davis, such as an employment verification letter from your department, or three months of recent pay statements

Immigration Inspection

When you arrive in the U.S., you must go through immigration inspection with a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer. CBP makes the final determination regarding your admissibility into the U.S. Even if you are an experienced traveler, it is important to carefully prepare for each entry into the U.S., as your experience may vary depending on the personnel in charge, and whether or not there have been any changes to immigration policy and procedure.

• Preparing for International Travel and Re-Entry

• It is important to have all of your immigration documents prepared well in advance of your trip to the U.S. A major cause of immigration delay is not having the correct or valid documents needed for entry.

  Note: if traveling on University business (for research, teaching, etc.), read through the Global Affairs Travel and Resources page for travel resources, recommendations, and policies regarding electronic device safety, insurance and emergency coverage, and more.

  - Before you depart the U.S. and once again before your return, make sure that all of your required travel documents (see first section, above) are unexpired and valid for re-entry.
  - Carry your documents in your carry-on bag (e.g., backpack, laptop bag) rather than your checked luggage. 
  - Keep backup copies of your important immigration documents in a safe but accessible place in case they are lost or stolen while outside the U.S.
  - Check SISS’s updates page for the most recent information about possible travel restrictions or travel bans.
  - Have emergency contact information on a card or piece of paper stored in your carry-on bag (i.e., not only on your phone), and let family or friends know about your travel plans. Contact information can include the phone numbers of SISS, UC Davis Police, your PI or supervisor, and a family member or friend or colleague who’s aware of your travel plans. See the ‘Contact Information’ section, below.
  - If you need to apply for a new visa while outside the U.S., schedule plenty of extra time due to the possibility of visa processing delays.

• Going through Immigration Inspection 

• When you first arrive, you will go through primary inspection with a CBP officer. At primary inspection, you will present the officer with your passport and your visa, as well as any required immigration documents such as your DS-2019 (J-1s) or I-797A approval notice (other visa types). The officer will review your documents, and may ask brief questions about your background, purpose for coming to the U.S., and living situation and work plans. If all appears well, the officer will admit you into the U.S. in the correct visa classification.

  If the primary officer is unable to make a decision regarding your admissibility into the U.S., you may be sent to secondary inspection for additional review. In secondary inspection, you may be asked more extensive questions about your background, current plans, or other details. You are generally not permitted to use your cell phone (unless allowed) while in secondary inspection. Because the wait time in secondary inspection cannot be predicted in advance, it is always advisable to have back-up travel plans in case your ability to make a connecting flight is delayed.

  Throughout the immigration inspection process, it is important to be calm, polite, and professional. Focus on providing clear, accurate, but concise answers to questions you are asked. Also keep the following tips in mind:
  - Be prepared to offer a clear and consistent explanation about your purpose of coming to the U.S. This includes being able to explain your intended activities, such as your research. Your immigration documents should be consistent with and support your explanation.
  - Understand that most employment visas are non-immigrant visas, which means that your purpose of entry is supposed to be temporary and that you will continue to maintain ties with your home country. Note: the H-1B visa is an exception in that it is a ‘dual intent’ visa, meaning that you may have the long-term intention of either returning to your home country, or residing in the U.S. permanently.
  - Read and understand CBP’s electronic device search policy, including the possibility that your social media accounts may be inspected as a part of your visa application and upon arrival to the U.S.
  - Understand the restrictions on employment associated with your status, and that any on-line or written evidence of unauthorized employment may be grounds for denying your entry into the U.S.
  - Read through Know Your Rights information guides produced by authoritative sources like the ACLU, about U.S. customs inspection and arrival.
  - Arrive in the U.S. during standard business hours (M–F, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Pacific Time), so that it may be easier to contact someone in case you need assistance. Also consider arriving at San Francisco International when possible.Travel Safety Tips (accordion)

  Most employees return to the U.S. successfully following an international trip, provided they are prepared and follow recommended rules for travel. 

• Required Steps after Arrival  

• After you are admitted into the U.S., print out your Form I-94 arrival record to be sure that the information on the form is correct. Contact SISS in the event you detect any errors or have any questions. You should check and print out your I-94 after every re-entry into the U.S., as errors or discrepancies may have serious immigration consequences.

  The I-94 should accurately reflect your intended visa type (‘class of admission), such as J-1, H-1B, E-3, O-1, etc. It should also reflect the correct “admit until” date, which is the date your legal status expires. J-1 and J-2 visa holders should have “duration of status” or D/S as the admit until date. Other visa holders will have a specific date that identifies the expiration of their legal status in the U.S.

  Print out and carry a copy of your I-94 with you at all times while in the U.S., including when commuting to/from work or traveling domestically.

• Contact Information for Travel Situations accordion

• In the event you have an urgent travel-related situation, keep the following contact information available on your phone and on a separate card in your carry-on bag.
  - During business hours, contact SISS at 530-752-0864. Note that SISS Is open from Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm. We are closed during weekends and university holidays.
  - Outside business hours, contact UC Davis Police at 530-752-1727 and ask to be directed to a SISS advisor.

  Also, have contact information for your PI or supervisor in case you need to notify them that you have a travel-related delay or emergency. 

  Lost or Missing Documents:

  If you lose any of your travel documents while outside the U.S., note that SISS is able to transmit copies of many documents electronically through iGlobal or other means. Notify SISS as soon as possible at sissscholar@ucdavis.edu if you are missing a document needed for re-entry to the U.S., or if you needed to depart the U.S. suddenly due to a family or related emergency, with details.

  Unfortunately, if the passport containing your visa is lost or stolen, you will need to apply for a new visa at a U.S. consulate before returning to the U.S.

• When Legal Advice May Be Recommended 

• The following is a partial list of rare but complex legal situations that may affect your ability to re-enter the U.S. In these situations, SISS may recommend that you seek the advice of a qualified immigration attorney for further guidance.
  - You have had prior encounters with law enforcement involving charges relating to DUI or DWI (driving under the influence / driving while intoxicated), property theft or damage, domestic disputes or violence, firearms, drugs (including marijuana), or other similar incidents.
  - You have overstayed your current visa, or have had incidents in the past in which you overstayed your visa.
  - You have engaged in unauthorized employment at any point during your time in the U.S. (e.g., you engaged in employment that was not authorized under the terms of your current or previous visa).
  - You have concerns about your past or current involvement in political protest or speech, including any social media postings you may have made.
  - You are concerned about the U.S. government’s policies regarding sex and gender identity, and how these may impact your travel and immigration status
  - You have traveled or plan to travel to a country labeled a state sponsor of terrorism
  - You have, or are applying for, asylum or other similar status such as temporary protected status
  - You are pursuing adjustment to permanent resident status and have travel concerns (note: SISS advises UC Davis employees who are being sponsored by their departments for employment-based permanent residence).

  If any of the above apply, consult with SISS first so we can help you in making an initial assessment of your legal options and potential travel risks.

Special Immigration and Travel Situations

• Scholars with Pending Change or Extension of Status Applications 

• If you are in the process of changing your status from one non-immigrant classification (e.g., J-1) to another (e.g., H-1B), you cannot travel outside the U.S. while the application is pending. Departing the U.S. while a change of status application is pending will lead to the application being canceled. Contact your international scholar advisor before making any international travel plans.

  Note: once a change of status application is approved and takes effect, you are not required to travel internationally to obtain a new visa. However, a new visa will be needed if you later decide to travel outside the U.S. for professional or personal reasons and need to re-enter to continue your activities in your new status.

  If you are in the process of extending your status (i.e., remaining in the same classification, but for a longer period of time), you must be in the U.S. when your extension application is filed with USCIS. You may then travel and return as long as your travel documents remain valid. However, it is important to contact your SISS advisor and coordinate your travel carefully. If your extension is approved while you are outside the U.S., you may need to wait for the approval notice to be sent to you, and may need to apply for a new visa, before returning.

• Dependent Status and Travel 

• Non-immigrant scholars and employees may be accompanied by certain family members, including a legal spouse and/or unmarried children under 21, on dependent (“derivative”) visas. Examples of derivative visa classifications include J-2 dependents of J-1 exchange visitors, H-4 dependents of H-1B employees, TD dependents of TN treaty workers, O-3 dependents of O-1 extraordinary ability workers, among others.

  Unfortunately, other family members / relatives (e.g., parents, grandparents, aunts / uncles) are not eligible for derivative visas. Such individuals may apply for the B-1/B-2 visitor’s visa to visit the United States, or come to the U.S. on the ESTA/visa waiver program, if eligible.

  Dependent family members may accompany the principal visa holder when entering the U.S., or come at a later time after the principal has already arrived in the U.S. However, if the principal visa holder loses or ends their status in the U.S., or is unable to return to the U.S. for any reason, all dependents similarly lose or end their derivative status. Scholars and employees should make plans accordingly especially if they are prevented or unable to return to the U.S.

  Travel documents: Dependents must have the same documents as the principal visa holder, including a valid passport, valid entry visa (with the exception of Canadian citizens), and proof of family relationship to the principal visa holder. If traveling separately from the principal visa holder, carry copies of their passport identity page, visa, and other required travel documents. Note: J-2 dependents will need to have their own J-2 Form DS-2019 with a valid travel signature from SISS when re-entering the U.S.

• Local and Domestic U.S. Travel 

• While inside the U.S., carry documents that establishing your identity and legal status. Keep your documents safe and secure to prevent unauthorized access or theft.

  Local travel: If remaining in your local area (e.g., home, work), carry your most recent Form I-94 with you, as well as a copy of your passport identity page kept in a secure location.

  U.S. domestic travel: If traveling domestically within the U.S., carry the documents listed in the Required Travel Documents section, and a copy of your most recent Form I-94. Even if you do not go through immigration inspection while traveling inside the U.S., it is essential to have your official immigration documents with you in case you come into contact with U.S. immigration or law enforcement. Keep in mind that in certain areas of the U.S., including the 100-mile border zone along the U.S. northern and southern borders, you may encounter immigration checkpoints.

• Automatic Revalidation of Visas (Travel to Canada, Mexico, and the Adjacent Islands of the Caribbean) 

• Under automatic revalidation of visa validity, you may be eligible to travel to Canada or Mexico and still be able to return to the U.S. in your current non-immigrant status, even if your visa is expired. Your visit cannot be more than 30 days, and you must have all of the required travel documents listed above, as well as your Form I-94 showing that you are currently in valid status (e.g., J-1, H-1B, etc.).

  Automatic revalidation also applies to J-1 / J-2 exchange visitors who are traveling to certain adjacent islands of the Caribbean. For other non-immigrant visa types, including H-1B visa holders, automatic revalidation is limited to travel to Canada and Mexico.

  Automatic revalidation is NOT available to non-immigrants from countries identified as state sponsors of terrorism. Also, if you travel to Canada / Mexico or an adjacent Caribbean island for the purpose of applying for a new entry visa, you CANNOT enter the U.S. unless and until the visa application is approved and a new visa is issued. Attempting to re-enter the U.S. after you have applied for a visa, but before it has been issued, will lead to a denial of entry into the U.S.

• Ending Your Stay at UC Davis 

• If you are a scholar or employee currently on a non-immigrant visa, and plan to end your stay at UC Davis, contact SISS at sissscholar@ucdavis.edu for information before your last day. Depending on your visa classification, you may have a limited ‘grace period’ to remain in the U.S. and prepare for departure. For example, J-1 exchange visitors have up to 30 days to travel inside the U.S. once they have reached their program end date. This period is solely for the purpose of personal travel and preparing for departure and does not allow continuation of employment.

  Other visa classifications may or may not have a grace period depending on specifics relating to their visa. Consult with SISS well in advance of your final day at UC Davis.

Renewing Your Entry Visa

A valid and unexpired entry visa is needed only to enter the U.S. An unexpired visa is not needed once you have already arrived. However, if your visa is expired (or expiring) and you plan to travel internationally, you will need to get a new visa before returning. You cannot get a new visa while inside the U.S., since visas are issued only at U.S. consulates.

Update: SISS is currently cautioning scholars to expect much lengthier processing and wait times for visa applications. Please understand that each visa application is unique; past success does not guarantee that a future visa application will be approved.

• Preparing Your Visa Application 

• It is important to plan your visa application carefully. It is generally recommended that you apply for a visa at a consulate in your country of citizenship or permanent residence. While applications in a third country are possible, the risks of refusal of service or delay are higher.

  - Check average visa appointment wait times as well as instructions provided by your local U.S. consulate. Visa processing times can vary widely depending on location and time of year.

  - Prepare your online DS-160 visa application. Understand that you may be asked to provide information about social media accounts, which can be inspected as a part of your visa application. If you have questions about how to accurately answer your application, consult with an immigration attorney or specialist.

  - Make sure you have required documents as listed in the Required Documents section, above, as well as any additional documents specified by your consulate.

  - Prepare for a visa interview, if required by your consulate. Understand that most non-immigrant visas, with the exception of the H-1B visa, require that you demonstrate non-immigrant intent (as explained in Section 214(b)), by showing your commitment to maintaining home country ties. Keep in mind that visa interviews are often very brief.

• Visa Processing Delays and Denials 

• While most scholars are successful in obtaining their visas, visa issuance is never guaranteed. In addition, scholars may experience delays due to consular processing conditions, time of year, and national security / background checks called administrative processing. Unfortunately, SISS has no ability to expedite the speed or outcome of administrative processing cases.

  Please note: the U.S. government is currently taking heightened interest in the social media content and political activity of visa applicants. If there are concerns about your potential risk for immigration denial, please consult with an immigration attorney.
  
  If your visa is denied, ask the visa officer for a reason in writing if you did not receive one directly. Visa denials may be based on reasons relating to past immigration history, security-related concerns, evidence of unauthorized employment, or other reasons. In the event of a visa denial, contact SISS with as much information as possible. While a visa application result cannot be appealed, depending on the situation it may be possible to reapply with additional or new information. In other, more complex cases, consultation with an immigration attorney may be needed.