Travel in F-1 Status
Before you travel outside the United States, make that you have access to the following documents. You will need them upon your return to the U.S. If you are missing any of these documents or have questions about them, please contact the International Student Advisor.
Mandatory Documents For Re-Entry :
Current Form I-20
- Signature on page 3 must be less than 1 year old when you return
Passport
- Valid at least 6 months into the future
Unexpired F-1/F-2 Visa
I-901 Receipt (if applicable)
Recommended Documents For Re-Entry:
Current Financial Support Documentation (Bank Statement, Assistantship Letter, Etc.)
Proof of registration for current or coming semester
Copy of transcript
Your International Student Advisor's contact information
Pre-Departure Reminders:
Before leaving UND
o Gather all of the documents listed above
o See the International Student Advisor during Advisor on Call Hours for a new travel signature if needed
o Verify your visa and passport validity
- If your visa will expire before your return date, please see the F-1 visa page for more information.
- If your passport will expire, contact your consulate or embassy in the U.S. or contact the appropriate office in your home country for information about how to renew your passport.
Before leaving the U.S.
o Remember to surrender your I-94 card in the last airport before you leave the U.S. When you return to the U.S. you will be given a new I-94 card
o If your I-94 card says "Special Registration" or "FINS#..." you will need to check out directly with an immigration official. This may be written on your visa as well. It is extremely important that you do this. Please visit the ICE Special Registration page for more information and instructions.
Special Information for Travel to Canada
Canadian citizens are visa-exempt. They do not need visa stamps to enter or re-enter the United States. Also, during brief trips to Canada, it is not necessary to turn in your I-94 card. You may retain the card and show it upon re-entry.
As an F student, you are required to show proof of your international student status:
- Current Form I-20: Signature on page 3 must be less than 1 year old when you return
- Passport: Valid at least 6 months into the future
- I-901 Receipt (if applicable)
- Current Financial Documents
- Recommended documents: Proof of registration for current or coming semester; Copy of transcript
-
Non-Canadian International Students
When traveling to Canada, you are may need a Canadian Visitor's visa. This is determined by your country of citizenship. Check the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website for a list of countries whose citizens require visitor's visas.
If you need a Canadian Visitor's Visa, you should apply through the Canadian Consulate in Detroit. Please refer to their information page for applying for a visitor's visa.
When returning from Canada, you will need all of your travel documents to enter the United States, the same as you would for any return from outside the United States. There are two differences in how your paperwork might be handled.
When entering Canada for a stay of 30 days or fewer, you should keep your I-94 card. You will show the card upon re-entry to the United States.
- Automatic Extension of Visa Validity
In some circumstances, students with expired visa stamps in their passports may visit Canada, Mexico or the Adjacent Islands for brief time (30 days or shorter) and be allowed to re-enter the United States. This is called Automatic Extension of Visa Validity. To be eligible for this, you must meet all of the following requirements:
* You have a valid I-94 marked "D/S" by Customs and Border Protection
* You are in valid student status and are returning to continue that status.
* You have a form I-20 that is valid and has a current signature by the DSO
* You are returning after an absence of no more than 30 days and only have been in Canada, Mexico or the Adjacent Islands (other than Cuba)
* You have a valid passport
* You have not applied for a new visa during the trip
* You have not been declared inadmissable or have had a visa canceled due to a violation
* You are not a citizen of a country that has been designated as a "state sponsor of terrorism" (Currently Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, and Syria).
If you plan to re-enter the U.S. under this benefit, be sure to consult with an International Student Advisor before you leave for the most current information.
Additional Resources for Travel:
