Travel & Re-Entry

International travel by students and scholars in non-immigrant status requires planning and attention to detail. The most important thing is to make certain that you have all valid, required documents with you. Please make sure you have a valid F1 or J1 Visa, a current form I-20, and that your passport is valid for at least another six months.

Email Suffolk's International Student Services (ISSO) if you have any questions before you leave the U.S.

Travel & Visa Delays

While all individuals applying for a U.S. visa are screened before the issuance of a visa, certain individuals may be subject to further screening or clearance, commonly known as Administrative Processing.

Issues that may trigger an Administrative Processing or security clearance delay include:

  • Inconsistent spelling of your name
  • Your name is similar to others in the consular lookout system requiring further investigation
  • Nature of research/study may be considered a "sensitive technology" requiring a security clearance
  • If you are from North Korea, Cuba, Syria, Sudan, Iran, and Libya you will likely be subject to an additional security clearance process that can take several months

Security Advisory Opinion

If a security advisory opinion is requested by the Consulate (Administrative Processing) your visa will not be issued until the clearance is received from Washington D.C. On average this takes about 60 days, but it can take longer.

Travel Outside the U.S.

All international students, scholars, and family members planning to depart temporarily from the U.S. and later return must have a valid passport in order to exit the U.S. The passport must also be valid for a minimum of six months at the time of your planned re-entry to the U.S.

All international students, scholars, and family members (excluding Canadian citizens) will also need to have a valid U.S. visa stamp in their passport that is specific to their current activities (teacher, student, researcher, etc.). If your current visa has expired, you will need to apply for a new visa while outside the U.S.

Remember to check your travel documents well in advance of your trip.

Travel Requirements by Visa Type

  • Valid Form I-20 with ISSO signature on page 3
    ISSO signature should be no older than 12 months
  • Valid F-1 visa
  • Valid passport

For Re-Entry due to OPT/STEM OPT Employment, you will also need your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Card.

  • Valid Form DS-2019 with ISSO signature on page 1
    ISSO signature should be no older than 12 months
  • Valid J-1 visa in the passport
  • Valid passport

  • Valid Form DS-2019 with ISSO signature on page 1
    ISSO signature should be no older than 12 months
  • Valid J-1 visa in the passport
  • Valid passport

Canadian citizens are not required to have U.S. visas, but depending on their visa category, must have all other documentation listed under the pertaining visa status. Without the proper documentation Canadian citizens risk entering the U.S. as tourists and will therefore be prevented from work or study until they leave the U.S. and re-enter in the proper visa category.

Traveling Inside the U.S.

You are advised to carry your passport and immigration documents (your I-20 or DS-2019 form) with you when traveling in the U.S.; they will be required for a flight, but could also be requested on trips where you are traveling by car, train, or bus.

Traveling to Canada, Mexico & the Adjacent Islands

When considering travel to countries adjacent to the U.S., there are two questions to consider:

  • Does your country of citizenship require a visa to enter that country?
  • Will your U.S. immigration status allow you to return to the U.S. later?

Visa to Enter Adjacent Countries

For citizens of some countries, you may need a visa to enter Canada, Mexico or the adjacent Caribbean islands. Please check the sites below to see if citizens of your home country are required to have a visa stamp to enter an adjacent country. If a visa is required you will need to prepare all of the materials and make your visa application directly with that country's consulate directly.

See a list of countries whose citizens require visas in order to enter Canada and Visa exempt countries.

Returning to the U.S. after Visiting and Adjacent Country

A majority of students and scholars in the U.S. do not need a new U.S. visa to return to the U.S. after visiting an adjacent country. Thanks to the Automatic Revalidation procedure, most students and scholars do not need to apply for a new visa stamp. Citizens of Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and Sudan are not eligible for the Automatic Revalidation process.

The provision allows certain U.S. visa holders to re-enter the U.S. after a visit of less than 30 days to a "contiguous territory", (Canada, Mexico, and, in the case of F and J non-immigrants, the "adjacent islands other than Cuba") without having to obtain a new visa prior to re-entry. Students and scholars in F and J visa status who are maintaining lawful non-immigrant status in the U.S., and who travel to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean islands—excluding Cuba—for 30 days or less, can re-enter the U.S. with:

  • A printed I-94 card
  • A valid passport
  • A current, complete form I-20 or DS-2019 with valid travel signature and a previously-issued U.S. embassy visa stamp (which could be expired, or even in a different category than the I-94 if a change of status has been approved in the U.S.)

Please speak to an advisor in ISSO if you have questions about this provision.

Automatic revalidation of visa does not apply if:

  • You are a citizen of Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, or Sudan
  • You apply for a new U.S. visa in Canada, Mexico, or the adjacent islands
    This means if you apply for a new visa you must wait until that visa is issued to return to the U.S.
  • You travel to any other country before returning to the U.S. from Canada or Mexico
  • You apply for U.S. visa at a U.S. Consulate in an adjacent country