Important note: All students must notify their school of their travel plans prior to obtaining a travel endorsement from the International Services office.
If
you are planning to travel outside of the United States and wish
to re-enter the country under the F-1 status, please follow the
instructions below:
See a Designated
School Official before traveling in order to insure that all your
documents are valid.
You must
have a valid I-20 form with a valid travel endorsement from an
OIS Designated School Official. The travel endorsement is valid
for one year as long as your I-20 is valid and all of the information
on it is current, and you have otherwise maintained the conditions
of your status.
You must
have a valid F-1 visa in your passport.
You must
have an unexpired passport.
Traveling
While On Post-Completion Practical Training
If
you are traveling while on Optional Practical Training after completion
of your studies, you will need the following documentation:
A form I-20,
which has been endorsed by a Designated School Official within
the last 6 months
Valid F-1
visa
An unexpired
passport
A valid Employment
Authorization Document (EAD) issued for Optional Practical Training
by the USCIS
A letter from a U.S.-based employer certifying
that you are returning to resume your job duties or an offer of
employment in the U.S.
Special
Notes
If
your visa stamp is expired, travel while on Practical Training
can be rather complicated. For more information and advice on
how to avoid complications, please visit the Office of International
Services before leaving the United States .
We
do not recommend that you travel while your application for Post
Completion Practical Training is still pending with the USCIS.
Whenever possible, students should wait until their EAD card is
approved before traveling outside the U.S. after completion of
their studies.
International Services News and Announcements
USCIS Announces Extension of OPT to 29 months for certain STEM degree holders. Read more...