Travel & Visas for students
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Travel & Visas for students
Traveling Outside of the U.S.
International travel can affect your ability to return to the United States. Before making travel plans, review your immigration documents, visa validity, and current U.S. entry requirements. Requirements may vary depending on your individual circumstances; please contact CGPS if you have questions about your travel or re-entry.
When returning to the U.S., carry the following documents:
F-1 and J-1 Students
- Passport valid for at least six months into the future, unless an exception applies
- Valid F-1 or J-1 visa, unless exempt
- Current I-20 or DS-2019 with a valid travel signature
- Financial documentation
- Proof of required insurance for J-1/J-2 students
F-1 Students on OPT
Also carry:
- Valid EAD
- Evidence of employment
J-1 Students on Academic Training
Also carry:
- Academic Training approval letter
- Employer letter
Applying for a new visa while abroad? See the CGPS Visas tab.
When you return to the U.S., be prepared to present your immigration documents at the port of entry. After entering the U.S., check your Form I-94 online and make sure your admission information is correct. Please print a copy of your Form I-94 and carry it with you at all times as evidence of your admission to the U.S.
In certain circumstances, F-1 and J-1 students may be able to return to the U.S. with an expired visa after travel of 30 days or less to Canada, Mexico, or certain adjacent islands. This is called Automatic Visa Revalidation (AVR). Before relying on AVR for travel, contact CGPS regarding your eligibility and review the Dept. of State Automatic Revalidation website.
When AVR May Apply
You may be eligible for Automatic Visa Revalidation if you:
- Have maintained your F-1 or J-1 status
- Have an active SEVIS record
- Travel for less than 30 days to an eligible destination
- Have the required documents for re-entry
Documents for Re-entry
Carry:
- Current I-20 or DS-2019 with a valid travel signature
- Current passport that meets applicable validity requirements
- Form I-94, as applicable
- Previously issued nonimmigrant visa
When AVR Does Not Apply
Automatic Visa Revalidation does not apply if:
- You applied for a new visa and it has not been issued
- You applied for a new visa and it was denied
- Your SEVIS record has been terminated
- You have been outside the U.S. for more than 30 days
- You are otherwise not eligible based on current federal AVR requirements
For information about F-2 and J-2 dependents and other family members, visit the Families & Dependents webpage.
Before traveling outside the U.S., please ensure that you have set up your Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) using Google Authenticator. If you have used a U.S. telephone number for text alerts you may not be able to access your UDel account or Terra Dotta while abroad. For more information on accessing UD systems and setting up your account, please see the following IT webpages: "Using 2FA while traveling" and "Protect your University account with 2FA."
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has the authority to search electronic devices - including phones, laptops, tablets and other electronic devices - of anyone entering the U.S., including U.S. citizens and non-citizens. For more information, please see Electronic Device Searches - What you need to know.
NOTEWORTHY
ELI Students: You will need to fill out a Leave Request Form for ELI before requesting a travel signature from CGPS. Students who do not submit this form on-time are not guaranteed permission to travel .
If you have any questions or concerns regarding travel and reentry into the U.S., please contact CGPS for more information.
An F-1 or J-1 visa allows you to request entry to the United States in that immigration category. Your visa is different from your immigration status and your I-20 or DS-2019. If your visa expires while you are in the U.S., you generally do not need to renew it unless you plan to travel internationally and need a valid visa to return.
Canadian citizens: A visa is generally not required for F-1 or J-1 entry, but you must have the appropriate immigration documents when requesting admission to the U.S.
F-1 and J-1 visas are issued by U.S. embassies and consulates outside the United States. Check the instructions for the U.S. embassy or consulate where you plan to apply. Requirements and appointment procedures may vary by location.
You may need:
Valid passport
Form I-20 for F-1 students or Form DS-2019 for J-1 students
Form DS-160 confirmation
Visa application fee receipt, if applicable
SEVIS I-901 fee receipt, if applicable
Financial documentation
University admission or enrollment documentation
Other documents requested by the U.S. embassy or consulate
Check the requirements for your specific U.S. embassy or consulate before your appointment.
If your spouse or children will accompany or join you in the United States, they may be eligible for F-2 or J-2 visa.
Learn more about eligibility and support for family members on the CGPS Families & Dependents webpage.
Be prepared to explain your plans in the United States and provide the documents requested by the consular officer. F-1 and J-1 applicants should review the requirements for the U.S. embassy or consulate where they are applying before the appointment.
Before your interview:
Review your documents and make sure the information is accurate and consistent.
Know your program and be ready to explain what you will study or do at UD.
Understand your funding and how your expenses will be covered.
Answer questions clearly and honestly.
Review your online presence settings. The U.S. Department of State conducts an online presence review for F and J visa applicants and instructs applicants to set their social media profiles to “public” or “open” to support the screening process.
Check the embassy or consulate’s instructions before your appointment.
Administrative Processing
Some visa applications need additional review after the interview. This is called administrative processing. The consular officer will let you know if additional information or documents are needed. Processing times vary depending on the individual case.
If your application requires administrative processing, follow the instructions from the U.S. embassy or consulate and provide any requested information and review the Dept. of State Administrative Processing website.
Security Clearances
Some visa applications may require additional security-related review before a visa can be issued. Students involved in scientific, technical, or research activities should be prepared to clearly explain their academic program or research.
If appropriate, consider bringing a brief letter from your faculty sponsor or department describing your research or academic activities in clear, nontechnical language.
CGPS cannot determine whether additional security review will be required or how long the review will take.
If Your Visa Is Delayed
If your visa is not issued as expected:
Follow any instructions provided by the U.S. embassy or consulate.
Submit requested documents or information as soon as possible.
Keep copies of any notices or instructions you receive.
Contact CGPS if the delay may affect your arrival or return to UD. We can review your record and discuss whether your I-20/DS-2019 start date may need to be updated.
Administrative processing and security clearances do not have a standard processing time. The Department of State states that the length of processing depends on the circumstances of each case. If you experience a delay, please contact CGPS for guidance and support.
If your visa application is denied, review the information provided by the U.S. embassy or consulate. In most cases, the applicant is notified of the section of U.S. law that applies to the denial.
A visa refusal under INA 221(g) may mean that additional documents are required or that the application requires administrative processing. If additional documents are requested, follow the instructions provided by the embassy or consulate.
Please review the DOS Visa Denial information and contact CGPS if a visa denial may affect your ability to begin or continue your program at UD.
Check your visa when you receive it and make sure your personal information and visa classification are correct.
If you are entering the U.S. to begin a new F-1 or J-1 program, you may generally enter up to 30 days before the program start date listed on your I-20 or DS-2019. Entry rules may differ for transfer students, continuing students, or students with other changes to their immigration record. Contact CGPS if you are unsure when you may enter the U.S.
A visa allows you to request entry to the United States. Admission is determined when you arrive at a U.S. port of entry. For information about documents to carry when entering or returning to the U.S., please see the Travel tab.
Check your I-20 or DS-2019 before traveling outside the U.S. to make sure you have a valid travel signature.
Travel Signatures Are Generally Valid For:
- F-1 and J-1 students: 12 months
- F-1 students on OPT: 6 months
If you need a new travel signature, complete the Student Request for Travel Signature Form. You may also use this form to request travel signatures for your F-2 and J-2 dependents.
We recommend receiving your travel signature before you leave the U.S. If you are already outside the U.S. and need a new travel signature, submit your request at least 10 business days before your planned return to the U.S.
ELI students: Complete the ELI Leave Request Form before requesting a travel signature from CGPS.
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