Documents Needed for F-1 / J-1 Travel
Download this as a handout here.
Re-entering the U.S. after a Temporary Absence
To re-enter the U.S., you need to have the following documents:
- valid passport (except Canadians unless entering from outside the Western Hemisphere)
- valid F-1 or F-2 visa stamp (except Canadians)
- current I-20 with a valid signature (see I-20 Endorsement)
- proof of financial support (bank statements and/or scholarship, financial aid or TA/RA letter)
- proof of enrollment (certificate of enrollment or transcript). You can obtain a certificate of enrollment from the registrar’s office.
Traveling to Canada
Before traveling to Canada, come to ISS to check visa requirements and to pick up a Canadian visitor visa application if one is required (or on the web at http://cicnet.ci.gc.ca). You can re-enter the U.S. from Canada with an expired U.S. visa stamp if ALL of the following apply to you:
- You have a valid passport with an expired non-immigrant visa stamp, a valid I-20 or DS-2019, and you keep your I-94 card when leaving the U.S. and entering Canada
- Your visit to Canada will be less than 30 days
- You do NOT apply for a U.S. visa stamp while in Canada
- You are NOT a national of one of the following countries: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Sudan, Cuba, or North Korea.
Renewing Your Visa Stamp
If you or your dependents need to renew your visa stamps in order to re-enter the U.S., you must apply in person to a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. Applicants are normally required to submit the following documentation:
- valid passport
- current passport-size photographs
- valid Form I-20 (complete three-page form)
- proof of financial support (bank statements and/or scholarship, financial aid or TA/RA letter)
- proof of enrollment (certificate of enrollment or transcript). You can download a certificate of enrollment from [INSERT HU ENROLLMENT FORM HERE].
I-20 Travel Endorsement
You need to have a valid signature from ISS staff on your I-20 in order to re-enter the U.S. The signature is valid for 12 months.
I-20 Travel Endorsement for Canadians or students on OPT
Canadians and students on Optional Practical Training need a signature from ISS staff within the last six months to be valid for re-entry to the U.S..
We want to ensure that in leaving and re-entering the U.S. you have all the documents for re-entry. Please contact the OISS with any questions prior to leaving the country.
- Click here for documents needed for travel in general.
- Click here if your visa stamp has expired.
- Click here for documents needed for traveling while on F-1 OPT.
- Click here if you are traveling to Canada or Mexico for a trip of less than 30 days.
General Information About Travel
F-1 and J-1 students and visiting scholars who leave the United States: you must have the following documents with you to be eligible to re-enter the U.S. in F or J status:
- Valid passport
- Valid (unexpired) U.S. visa stamp in your passport (except for Canadian Citizens). If you need a new visa stamp click here.
- Valid I-20 form for F-1 status, signed for travel on page 3 by an OISS advisor within the last year (six months for Canadian students and students on Post-Completion Optional Practical Training-see Note)Come by the OISS if you need to update your travel signature!
- Valid DS-2019 form for J-1 status with current travel signature on the lower right hand side
- Evidence of financial funding (bring a copy of whatever funding is mentioned on your I-20: TA/RA funding letter or bank statements for personal funds)
- proof of enrollment (certificate of enrollment or transcript). You can obtain a certificate of enrollment from the registrar’s office
Important if you need a new visa stamp in your passport!!
It is very important that if you are planning on traveling out of the U.S. AND need a new visa stamp in your passport that you speak to someone at the OISS prior to traveling.
Certificate of Enrollment
A certificate of enrollment is available to download if you are a registered student at Howard University. This form will provide documentation that you are currently and have been a registered student at Howard University. While this is not a required form for re-entry it will ease in your re-entry to the U.S. if you are questioned at the border. You can get the certificate of enrollment at the registrar's office
Traveling While on F-1 Post-Completion OPT
The following are the documents you will need to ensure entry to the U.S. while on post-completion OPT:
- valid passport
- current unexpired F-1 visa stamp (except for Canadians)
- I-20 signed within the last 6 months
- EAD (OPT card) OR the receipt notice for your OPT application
- job offer letter or letter confirming current employment
The job offer letter or letter confirming your current employment should describe the job as temporary (no more than 12 months) because the idea behind Optional Practical Training is that it allow you to gain training in a temporary position in the U.S. An offer of permanent employment may be construed as inconsistent with holding non-immigrant status in the U.S.
Dependent Travel (F2 and J2)
F-2 or J-2 spouses and minor children who are not accompanied by the F-1 or J-1 student and visiting scholars must have:
- Valid passport
- Valid U.S. visa stamp (except for Canadian Citizens)
- Valid separate Form I-20 or DS-2019
- Evidence of financial funding
If the dependents have never been given an I-20 or DS-2019, then you need to see an adviser at the ISS.
Form DS-2019 for the J-2 dependents can be obtained from the ISS or your program sponsor.