While studying in the Unites States, you, as an international student holding F-1 visa, are allowed to travel internationally outside the U.S. and domestically within the U.S. It is important for you to acknowledge and comply to the U.S. immigration regulations, especially for traveling outside the country, in order to maintain your student status.
This section provides basic information immigration regulations for international students who seek to reenter to the U.S. after traveling internationally. This information is applied for international students who hold F-1 visa. If you have have F-2 visa or J visas, please consult with ISS.
Please note that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the port of entry (airport) has the authority to decide whether or not you are admissible to the U.S. This decision is based upon facts and circumstances presented at the time you apply to enter. Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) cannot guarantee that you will be admitted or readmitted to the United Sates.
Use the following information to prepare yourself before seeking admission to US. Always consult with International Student Services (ISS) if you have any questions.
A. What documents do you need to reenter to the U.S.?
C. Automatic Visa Revalidation
E. Traveling for Canadian Students
F. Travel while on Post-completion OPT
G. Extended Stay Outside the U.S.
If you have been out of US for less than 5 months, you will be asked to present the following documents to the CBP officer at the port of entry.
1. Passport valid for at least 6 months into the future: A current passport valid for at least six months after the date of your re-entry. If your country is listed on this list, your passport will be valid until the date of expiration.
2. Valid F-1 visa: You should know the expiration date and the number of allowed entries on your visa. Most visas have "M" (multiple) written under entries. This means that there is no limit on the number of entries for which you can use your visa. If your visa is expired or you have already used the number of entries you are allowed, you will need to renew your F-1 visa at the U.S. Consulate/Embassy Office in your home country in order to re-enter to US. See the How to renew F-1 visa section for more details. If you are seeking entry to US after traveling back from contiguous country (Canada, Mexico) or adjacent islands for less than 30 days, you may be permitted to re-enter with an expired F-1 visa. See the Automatic Visa Revalidation section for more details.
3. SEVIS Form I-20, endorsed for travel by DSO: Your I-20 needs to be authorized for travel by the signature on page three by a Designated School Official, ISS staff. You must plan ahead to get your I-20 signed before leaving the US. Each signature authorizes travel for one year following the signature date. For students on Optional Practicum Training (OPT), it is valid for 6 months. To receive a signature, please complete "Travel Authorization Signature" request form in MyLuteLife and turn your current I-20 to the SIL front desk. It may take up to 5 business days for the ISS to process your request, especially toward the end of semester, school break, and holiday.
4. Evidence of Financial Resources (optional but recommended): A bank statement, a letter from your sponsor or a scholarship award letter. The amount should cover one year of expenses that you are responsible as indicated on the first page of your I-20.
5. Evidence of Student Status (optional but recommended): Recent tuition receipts, transcripts or class schedules.
You should have have contact information of the PLU International Student Services available in emergency situation that the CBP officer needs to contact PLU to verify your student status. In that case, please contact
Akane Yamaguchi Assistant Director of International Student Services/ PDSO Student Involvement and Leadership Office Phone: (253) 535-8294 Allyson Lindsley Immigrations Specialist/ SEVIS Coordinator, DSO Office of Admission Phone: (253) 535-7122 PLU Campus Safety at (253) 535-7441 is open 24 hours 7 days a week and can help you reach ISS staff.Note:
If your F-1 student visa is expired while you are outside the U.S., and your travel does not qualify for Automatic Visa Revalidation, you must apply for a new visa at a US Consulate/ Embassy Office before re-entering to US.
Entry visas can only be issued outside the US. We recommend that you apply for renewal in your home country. If you are unable to return to your home country and need to travel to a third country, you may apply for renewal here. However, it is extremely risky as if you are denied, you need to go directly back to your home country.
The renewing visa process is vary from different countries. To learn about application process of renewing your visa, please visit the website of your local US Embassies, Consulates and Diplomatic Missions. The renewal process may take a long time so plan ahead and make sure you have enough time to return to US.
If you do not have plan to travel outside of the U.S., you are not required to renew your visa. F-1 visa has privilege of Duration of Status (D/S). As long as you maintain good F-1 student status, you may remain in the U.S. without renewing your visa after it expires.
If you are returning from Canada, Mexico or one of the adjacent islands to U.S. for fewer than 30 days, you may enter the U.S. with an expired F-1 visa. However, if you meet any one of following criteria, you will not be able to automatically revalidate your visa.
When traveling to a third country (a country other than the U.S. or your home country), you are responsible for knowing whether or not you need an entry visa for that country. If you are going to study away through programs offered by Wang Center for Global Education, please consult with your Study Away Advisor.
The following brief information about traveling to Canada and Mexico:
Canadian citizens do not require an entry visa to enter the U.S. from Canada, but you are required to have an I-20 from PLU. All Canadian citizens are required to show a passport to enter the United States.
Canadian citizens entering the U.S. to study should request F-1 status at the border and must always show the Form I-20 and supporting financial documentation to the immigration inspector at the port of entry. Be sure to check your I-94 card before you leave the inspection area to ensure that the I-94 card was properly annotated with F-1, D/S. Often, your I-94 card will not be removed from your passport when you leave the U.S., and you will not receive a new one when you re-enter. This is not a problem. Just be aware that if the I-94 card is removed, you must get a new one with the F-1 notation when you re-enter.
In order to re-enter to US after traveling internationally while you are on OPT, you need to present same documents as current students to CBP officer at the port of entry. In addition, the following documentation will also be required.
If you need to renew your visa please read How to renew F-1 Visa section. In addition to all documentation required by the U.S. Consulate/Embassy to renew F-1 visa, you will need to provide the EAD Card and a Letter from Employer as described above.
If you will be outside of the U.S. for more than 5 months, you will be required to get a new I-20 prior to returning to the U.S.
Immigration regulations state that a stay outside of US. within 5 months is considered a break in F-1 status. After an absence of more than five months, an F-1 student is no longer admissible to the U.S. as a “continuing student”. The State Department has decreed that with a 5 month absence, the F-1 visa that the student holds is considered invalid and the student must apply for a new visa. A new visa application must be accompanied by a new “initial” I-20 and a newly paid SEVIS fee with receipt. Please contact ISS for additional questions.
In general, special permission is not required for F-1 students to travel within the U.S. - from state to states, even to Alaska and Hawaii. We recommend that you carry your Washington ID card, passport, I-94 card, and I-20 with you whenever you travel outside the Washington State.
References:
FAQ for F-Nonimmigrants: Entry and Exit
By Student and Exchange Visitor System, Immigration and Custom Enforcement, US Department of Homeland Security.
3.N Travel and Reentry Section, 3- F-1 Students Section, NAFSA Advisor's Manual.