Required Travel Documents

Read through this section carefully for information about required and recommended travel documents that F-1 and J-1 students should carry when traveling internationally.

• Required Documents for F-1 and J-1 Students
• Required Travel Documents. If you are a student in F-1 or J-1 status, be prepared to show the following documents when re-entering the United States.
  
  - Unexpired passport valid at least six months into the future on the date of re-entry. If your passport is going to expire, contact your country’s local consulate.
  - Unexpired F-1 or J-1 student visa valid on the date of re-entry (also applies to students on post-completion OPT or Academic Training; Canadian citizens are exempt from the visa requirement)
  - Valid Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 that has a travel signature issued within the past 12 months (for current students) or six months (for students on F-1 post-completion Optional Practical Training or J-1 Academic Training) on the day of re-entry. (See information below about how to request a travel signature).
  - Form I-901 SEVIS Fee payment receipt that can be printed from www.fmjfee.com
  - Valid Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card showing unexpired OPT authorization (students on post-completion OPT / STEM Extension only)
  
  Also carry these recommended documents, which you may be asked to show when traveling or re-entering the U.S.:
  - Evidence of financial ability that matches the financial information on your Form I-20 or Form DS-2019, such as bank statements or scholarship letters (currently enrolled students only)
  -An official document showing your name and current U.S. address (like a driver's license or utility bill)
  - Transcript or proof of current term registration printed from the Student Information System; graduate students can carry a letter from your graduate department verifying your enrollment and good standing and your research area / major (currently enrolled students only)
  - Evidence of employment or training, such as an employment verification letter (students on post-completion OPT / STEM Extension or J-1 Academic Training only)
• Students on Post-Completion OPT
• If you are on post-completion OPT and planning to travel internationally, carry all of the documents listed in the Required Documents section, including your EAD (OPT) card. Remember that OPT is a part of your F-1 visa program, and you need a valid F-1 visa* as well as a Form I-20 endorsed for travel within the past six months.
  
  In addition to your EAD card, you should carry a copy of your offer letter (for future OPT employment) or an employment verification letter from your current employer stating that your leave is approved, and noting your expected return to work date (see sample letter).
  
  SISS recommends that you do not travel internationally after your I-20 program end date while your OPT application is pending with USCIS. Otherwise, you may face a higher risk when attempting to re-enter the U.S., as Customs and Border Protection may determine that you are ineligible to return without OPT approval and confirmed OPT employment. In addition, if your OPT application is rejected or denied by USCIS while outside the U.S., you would no longer be able to return as an F-1 student.
  
  *Canadian citizens are exempt from the visa requirement.
• F-2 and J-2 Dependent Travel

• F-1 and J-1 students may be accompanied by their legal spouse and/or unmarried minor children under 21. Dependents are granted F-2 and J-2 status, respectively. F-2 and J-2 dependents must have valid travel documents, including a valid passport, an unexpired F-2 or J-2 visa*, and their own Form I-20 or DS-2019 with a recent travel signature no more than one year old (or six months old for dependents of students on post-completion OPT).

  If traveling alone (without the principal F-1 or J-1 student), dependents must also carry copies of the F-1 or J-1 student’s passport, visa, and I-20 or DS-2019, as well as proof of family relationship.

  Please keep in mind that F-2 or J-2 status is dependent on the status of the principal F-1 or J-1 student. If the F-1 or J-1 student no longer maintains valid status, the eligibility of the F-2 or J-2 status to travel to and remain in the U.S. would end.

• Obtaining a Travel Signature on Your I-20 or DS-2019

• F-1 and J-1 students, and their dependents, must have a valid travel signature on their Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 when re-entering the U.S. The signature is valid for up to one year for currently enrolled F-1 students and J-1 students (including J-1 students on post-completion Academic Training) , and six months for F-1 students on post-completion Optional Practical Training.

  If you are an F-1 or J-1 student (either currently enrolled or on post-completion OPT), log into iGlobal to submit your request. If approved, SISS will issue a new document with a travel signature that you will be able to download from iGlobal. Please plan ahead – SISS requires up to two weeks to process a travel signature request. NOTE: you do NOT need to obtain a travel signature before you leave the U.S.; you only need it by the time you return to the U.S.
  
  If you are a J-1 student sponsored by an outside organization, your DS-2019 must be signed by your sponsor.
  
  Travel signatures are located on the bottom of page 2 on Form I-20  in the Travel Endorsement section) or bottom right of page 1 on Form DS-2019 (in the Travel Validation section).

• Canadian Students Entering in F-1 or J-1 Status
• If you are a Canadian citizen, you are not typically required to have an F-1 or J-1 entry visa when coming to the U.S. to start or resume your studies. However, you must have the other documents section, including a valid passport and Form I-20 or DS-2019. In addition, be sure to request F-1 or J-1 student status when entering the U.S., by going through the appropriate U.S. customs inspection line. Failure to request F-1 or J-1 status may lead to your being admitted as a tourist, and therefore ineligible to study.
  
  Canadian landed immigrants are required to have entry visas to enter the U.S.

Special Travel Situations

The following topics refer to specific travel scenarios and situations that may apply to some F-1 and J-1 students.

• Local and U.S. Domestic Travel
• While inside the U.S., carry documents that establish 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., school, 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. If you are on OPT, also carry your EAD card.
  
  U.S. domestic travel: If traveling domestically within the U.S., carry the documents listed in the Required Documents section, and a copy of your most recent Form I-94. (Note: You do not need to have an updated travel signature on your I-20 or DS-2019 if only traveling domestically.) 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. Also, 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, you may be eligible to travel to Canada, Mexico, or certain adjacent islands of the Caribbean and still be able to return to the U.S. in F-1 or J-1 student status even if your visa is expired. However, your visit cannot be more than 30 days, and you must have all of the required documents listed above, plus your Form I-94 showing that you currently have F-1 or J-1 student status.
  
  Automatic revalidation is not available to students from countries identified by the U.S. as state sponsors of terrorism. Also, if you travel to Canada, Mexico or one of the adjacent islands in order to apply for a U.S. entry visa, you CANNOT return on your expired visa. You must wait for a new F-1 or J-1 visa to be issued in order to be eligible to return.
• Students Going on or Returning from a Leave of Absence

• If you plan to take a leave of absence, talk to a SISS advisor at least two weeks before you leave the U.S. in order to plan your departure and future return to the U.S.

  If you are on a leave of absence and are planning your return, contact your SISS advisor up to 60 days before your expected return date. SISS will need to review your immigration records, and may need to either reactivate your existing SEVIS record or create a new SEVIS record for you. Do NOT make final travel plans to return to the U.S. until you have received confirmation from SISS that your documents are ready and valid for your return. Failure to do so may lead to delayed or denied entry upon arrival.

• Students Transferring to Another School or No Longer Attending UC Davis
• Students who have transferred to another F-1 school or J-1 program sponsor must obtain a new Form I-20 or DS-2019 from their new school. Do NOT re-enter the U.S. with your UC Davis-issued I-20 or DS-2019 since you may be stopped. Similarly, students who plan to transfer to UC Davis must first obtain a Form I-20 or DS-2019 from UC Davis before attempting to re-enter the U.S.
  
  Students who have transferred schools or programs may travel to the U.S. using an existing visa, even if issued for another F-1 school or J-1 sponsor, as long as the visa is unexpired and valid (i.e., not revoked), and you have a Form I-20 or DS-2019 from your new school or program.

Planning Your Travel and Preparing for Re-entry

Entry into the U.S. is never guaranteed. Even with valid travel documents, the final decision to admit you into the U.S. rests with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), who may ask for more information before making a decision, or even deny entry. Every traveler should consider back-up plans regarding study and living accommodations in the event they are suddenly unable to return.

• When Legal Advice is Recommended
• The following is a partial list of high-impact 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 lawyer 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, drugs (including marijuana), or other similar incidents.
  - You no longer have valid student status (e.g., your SEVIS record has been terminated for failure to maintain full-time enrollment) and need advice about possible solutions.
  - You have engaged in unauthorized employment (e.g., you engaged in employment that was not allowed or approved by SISS or USCIS).
  - You are concerned about your past or current involvement in on-campus or on-line political protest or speech, including any social media postings you may have made.
  - You are concerned about how the U.S. government’s policies regarding sex and gender identity may impact your travel or immigration status
  - You have traveled or plan to travel to a country labeled a ‘state sponsor of terrorism’ by the U.S.
  - You are eligible to apply for, or have started applying for, adjustment of status to U.S. permanent resident based on your family or other types of arrangements, or no longer intend to maintain F-1 or J-1 status (contact SISS if you are adjusting to permanent residence based on UC Davis employment).
• Travel Safety Checklist: What You Need to Re-enter the U.S.
• Prepare Your Documents
  - Ensure that all of your travel documents are unexpired and valid for re-entry – contact SISS at siss@ucdavis.edu if uncertain.
  - Carry your documents in your carry-on bag (e.g., backpack) 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 an accessible card or piece of paper stored in your backpack or carry-on bag, and let family or trusted friends know about your travel plans.
  - If you need to apply for a new visa while outside the U.S., review the section below on Renewing Your Visa, and allot plenty of extra time, since visa application delays can happen.
  
  Understand and Time the U.S. Entry Process
  - When entering the U.S., 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 studies and your research. Your documents should be consistent with and support your explanation.
  - Understand that F-1 and J-1 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. Any evidence that indicates you have long-term plans for residence or work in the U.S. may be deemed a reason to refuse entry under a non-immigrant visa.
  - 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 F-1 or J-1 student 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 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 Emergencies and Lost Documents
• During business hours, contact SISS at 530-752-0864. During evening hours, weekends, and University holidays, contact UC Davis Police at 530-752-1727.
  
  Note: if you lose your I-20 or DS-2019 while outside the U.S. (or if you have forgotten to obtain an updated travel signature before your return), submit a travel signature request in iGlobal as soon as possible before your expected return, and send an email to siss@ucdavis.edu explaining your situation. Note that SISS’s business hours are M–F, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
  
  If you are unable to obtain an updated I-20 or DS-2019 before you come back, ask the Customs and Border Protection Officer to let you enter the U.S. using Form I-515A.
• Required Steps After Arrival
• After you go through U.S. Customs inspection, print out your Form I-94 and make sure the information is accurate. Your class of admission should be “F-1” or “J-1” and your Admit Until date should be “D/S” or duration of status. Carry a copy of your I-94 with you everyday while inside the U.S.
  
  If your I-94 is not accurate, contact SISS immediately.

Renewing Your Student Visa

You need a valid F-1 or J-1 student visa only to enter the U.S., not to stay once you have already arrived. If your visa is 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 (May 28, 2025): SISS is cautioning students regarding news reports that U.S. consulates worldwide are temporarily pausing future visa appointments for F-1 and J-1 visa applicants. Due to this pause, we do not recommend traveling internationally if you need to apply for a visa to return and do not have a confirmed visa appointment. SISS will update this page as more information becomes available. Please stay up to date on the latest federal government updates. 

• Preparing Your Visa Application
• It is important to plan each visa application carefully. It is generally recommended that you apply for a visa at a consulate in your country of citizenship or permanent residence.
  - 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 F-1 and J-1 visas require that you demonstrate non-immigrant intent (as explained in Section 214(b)), by showing your commitment to maintaining home country ties. "Ties" are the various aspects of your life that bind you to your country of residence such as your social and family relationships, possessions, job or career plans, etc. Keep in mind that interviews may be required for more individuals than in the past. Interviews are often short and last no more than one to three minutes.
• Visa Processing Delays and Denials
• Visa issuance is never guaranteed. In addition, students may experience delays due to consular processing conditions, time of year, and national security / background checks called administrative processing. Unfortunately, SISS is unable to influence or affect the speed or outcome of any administrative processing of your visa.
  
  Please note: the U.S. government is also taking heightened interest in the social media content of students. 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. In many student visa application cases, denials are based on INA Section 214(b), which refers to the fact that the visa officer was not convinced that you will return to your home country upon completion of your program and may seek to remain in the U.S. instead (‘immigrant intent’). Other, less common reasons, include a record of past status violations or incomplete or inaccurate visa applications. Depending on the situation, you may be able to attempt a new visa application with new or updated information. Unfortunately, SISS is unable to control the outcome of a visa application.