Traveling as an F-1 Student

• Traveling Outside of the U.S.

  Traveling Outside of the U.S.

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  When reentering the U.S. after traveling outside of the country, you must be prepared to show the Border Patrol the following documents:

  Continuing/Currently Enrolled Students	Students on Post-Completion OPT/STEM
  Original I-20 signed for travel within the last 12 months*	Original I-20 signed for travel within the last 6 months*
  Passport (valid for 6-months into the future)	Passport (valid for 6-months into the future), with a valid F-1 Visa
  Valid F-1 Visa	Current and valid EAD Card
  Proof of Enrollment Undergraduates:  Enrollment Verification from the Registrar Graduates: Good Standing Letter from your department	Proof of Employment (Offer Letter / Recent Pay Stubs)

  *Travel signatures are endorsed on page 2 of your I-20.

  To request a travel signature you must submit the Travel Signature Request form in accessVIS. With the request, you will indicate how you wish to receive an I-20 endorsed for travel. If approved, you will receive an email with instructions based on your document delivery preference indicated on the request form. 

  IMPORTANT:  It is your responsibility to see if you need any visitor's visas to enter the country to which you plan on traveling. Your F-1 student visa is only for entry to the U.S.

• Traveling within the U.S.

  Traveling Within the U.S.

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  If you are planning a trip within the United States it is important that you have your I-20, passport, visa and Stony Brook ID card with you for ALL travel, even travel within New York State.

  If you are applying for a change of non-immigrant status, have an immigration petition or EAD card application pending, be sure to carry your U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) receipt notice (Form I-797). This notice proves that you have an application pending with USCIS.

• Automatic Visa Revalidation

  Automatic Visa Revalidation - Travel to Canada & Mexico

  
  

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  If you are only traveling to Canada or Mexico for a period of less than 30 days, you may be eligible to re-enter the US on the basis of an expired F-1 visa in your passport under a process called “Automatic Visa Revalidation.”

  In order to take advantage of Automatic Revalidation all of the following must apply:

  • The visit is ONLY to Canada or Mexico and you may NOT travel to any other country.
  • You did not apply for a new US visa stamp while in Canada/Mexico.
  • Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your date of re-entry to the U.S., unless your country is a member of the so-called “six-month club.”
  • You must possess an unexpired I-94 record.
  • You must apply for readmission to the U.S. within the authorized period of your immigration status.
  • You must have maintained and intend to resume your non-immigrant status.

  Automatic Revalidation is not available to nationals from countries identified as state sponsors of terrorism. Individuals who apply for a new visa in Canada and/or Mexico, but are denied such a visa, are also not eligible to benefit from the Automatic Visa Revalidation option.

  IMPORTANT: This information only pertains to re-entering the U.S. You may need a visitor's visa, or an eTA, in order to enter Canada. Click here for more information.

• Reminders

  Important Reminders

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  • F-1 students with expired U.S. visas who are traveling to Canada, Mexico or adjacent islands for up to 30 days, who will not be applying for a new U.S. visa while there, AND who will be resuming their studies upon their return should discuss their eligiblity for Automatic Revalidation with an International Student Advisor before traveling.

  • Canadian nationals should be sure to carry with them financial documentation that verifies the information on their SEVIS Form I-20 when returning to the United States.

  • Absence from the United States for more than five months requires a new SEVIS Form I-20 and F-1 Visa for reentry. Be sure to notify your Visa and Immigration Advisor no less than 45 days prior to return to the U.S. of your intention to return.

  • Click here for travel tips for F-1 Students on OPT or those planning a change of status to H-1B.