F-1 Students
If you wish to leave the U.S. temporarily and return to continue your studies, you must secure documentation to:
- Permit entry to another country (if not your home country)
- Permit re-entry to the United States
Re-Entry for F-1 Students to U.S.
To re-enter the U.S. after temporary absence of 5 months or less, for the purpose of resuming your program of study, you will need:
- Valid passport or travel documents for at least 6 months from the date of re-entry.
- Valid F-1 visa (unless exempt from this program): If your visa is expired please make an appointment to renew it, before you leave the country, by contacting the U.S. Embassy in your country.
- Your SEVIS I-20, endorsed for travel by a designated official from the International Center. If changes were made use your most current version of the I-20.
- You may be required to show proof of funds at the consulate office.
Note: Endorsing the I-20 depends on your status. We will check your status and any problems found will delay the signing of your I-20 and may lead to reinstatement. For this reason we require you to request signatures in a timely manner.
Re-Entry for Dependents of F-1's (F-2's)
Dependents have their own SEVIS I-20, which must be signed by a desingnated school official for travel. Also needed:
- Valid passport or travel documents for at least 6 months from the date of re-entry.
- Valid F-2 visa (unless exempt from this program): If your visa is expired please make an appointment to renew it, before you leave the country, by contacting the U.S. Embassy in your country.
- The SEVIS I-20, endorsed by a designated official from the International Center (see note above).
- You may be required to show proof of funds
Re-Entry on Optional Practical Training (OPT)
If you have not completed your degree (graduated) you can travel as mentioned above. If you have completed your degree there is no basis for re-entry unless CIS has authorized OPT (you have your EAD Card). If you have not received you EAD Card, we suggest you DO NOT travel outside the U.S. (see International Student Advisor about exemptions for Caribbean and Canada). Once you have your EAD Card you may re-enter the U.S. with:
- Valid passport or travel documents for at least 6 months from the date of re-entry.
- Valid F-1 visa (unless exempt from this program): If your visa is expired please make an appointment to renew it, before you leave the country, by contacting the U.S. Embassy in your country.
- EAD Card
- I-20 (with OPT recorded) endorsed by a designated official from the International Center every 6 months.
- You may be required to show proof of funds
We require you to request signatures in a timely manner.