F-1 Travel Reminders

We hope that you have been well this year. As the end of the semester approaches, we know that many people are making plans for travelling and visiting loved ones over the upcoming holidays. The ISSO wanted to provide some information regarding the most frequently asked questions regarding travel in F-1 status for the coming months.

What documents do I need to travel abroad and return to the U.S.?

For the full list of required and recommended documents to carry with you while travelling in F-1 status, please see the ISSO webpage on Travel Outside the U.S.

Do I need a new travel endorsement on my I-20?

You will need a valid travel endorsed I-20 to re-enter the U.S. If you need to travel, check your current I-20 for the travel endorsement signature on page 2. If it was issued within 12 months (for current students) or 6 months (for OPT students) of the date you plan to return to the U.S., then you may use the I-20 you already have for travel. If the endorsement will expire before you reenter the U.S., submit a Travel Signature Request in iComet to request a new I-20. The ISSO will send your new travel endorsed I-20 by email. Electronic DSO signatures are valid for travel and re-entry. You will print and hand sign page 1 of the I-20 to use it for travel. The travel signed I-20 is not needed before you depart the U.S., it is only needed to re-enter after you finish travelling.

My travel signature will expire before I return to the US. When do I need to request a new one from the ISSO?

Make plans now to submit processing requests, talk to an ISSO advisor, or request travel documents. ISSO receives a high volume of student and alumni requests, especially at this time of year. Don’t wait until the last minute! Submit requests to ISSO 3-4 weeks in advance of when you need them.

I am a current student and will be continuing my studies in fall. When do I need to return from the break?

All current students have face-to-face enrollment and physical presence requirements to maintain F-1 status. You must be physically present in the U.S., either on campus or at your designated educational site (such as a CPT internship), each fall and spring semester. In order to verify the physical presence of current students going forward, the ISSO will require all continuing students to submit proof of their current presence in the U.S. before each fall and spring semester by submitting a copy of your most recent I-94 in iComet. A new form will be launched in the iComet portal for this purpose prior to Fall 2023. You should anticipate timely submitting your re-entry information to the ISSO and plan your summer travel accordingly to ensure that you return prior to the start of fall classes (August 21). Announcements will be sent out over the summer regarding when the form is launched and deadlines for submission.

I currently have a pending OPT/STEM application, can I travel?

While you can travel when you have a pending OPT or STEM application, there is a potential risk if a decision is made by USCIS while you are outside the country:

• If your application is approved, we recommend having a trusted person ship your new EAD to your location abroad before attempting to re-enter the country, as the EAD card is the official proof of the work authorization that maintains your F-1 status. CBP may not let you re-enter without the EAD in hand if your application has been approved.
• If you receive an RFE or denial on your application, it is possible you may not be able to re-enter the country in order to take action. Ultimately, the decision would be up to the CBP officer you speak with upon re-entry.

You can check USCIS’s processing times on their website (uscis.gov) before you make a decision regarding travel.

I currently have an OPT/STEM reporting request that is pending with the ISSO. Do I need to receive an updated I-20 before departing or re-entering?

It is not mandatory that you receive an updated OPT reporting I-20 for travel. As long as you have submitted your iComet report to the ISSO within 10 days of the change, you have fulfilled your OPT reporting requirements. The ISSO processing times to update your records will not have a negative effect on your status or ability to travel. However, if the ISSO completes processing of your OPT reporting and we send you a new I-20 by email while you are abroad, make sure to print and sign this newly issued I-20 to present to CBP when you return to the U.S.