Travel 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.A. If you are missing any of these documents or have questions about them, please contact the International Student Advisor.

Required Travel Documents

Before Leaving UND

Follow these steps to ensure you are prepared before leaving UND:

• Gather all of the documents listed above.
• Make sure you have a valid travel signature.
  • Travel signatures may be acquired by dropping off your document at the front desk. You will be notified by email when it's ready
  • OR during walk-in hours (1:30-2:30 p.m. on weekdays)
  • Plan ahead: travel signatures may not always be available the same day, so make sure you get your document signed several days before you plan to leave
• Verify your visa and passport validity.
  • If your visa will expire before your return date, please see the 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.

• Students who have applied for OPT - We strongly recommend you do not leave the United States unless you have your EAD card in hand as well as a job offer letter. Students on OPT may return to the U.S. 'to resume employment.' What constitutes 'resuming employment' is at the discretion of the CBP official at the border, so the safest course of action is make sure you have a job to return to before leaving the U.S.
• If you have a paper I-94 card, remember to surrender it in the last airport before you leave the U.S. If you return to the U.S. by land you will receive a new card. If you return by air your I-94 will be electronic and retrievable online.
• 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.

Canadian Travel Information

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 a J student, you are required to show proof of your international student status:

• Current Form DS-2019: Travel Signature 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.

• I-94 Card - 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 DS-2019 that is valid and has a current signature by the RO/ARO (DS-2019)
  • 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.

Resources for Travel

• • ICE Frequently Asked Questions for Travel
  • ICE Information on DHS Trip
  • U.S. State Department
  • List of U.S. Embassies and Consulates