Travel Guidance

NOTE: The following information applies to continuing students who have already entered the U.S. and have an active SEVIS record with USU.

General Travel Information and Regulations

  • You are free to travel within the United States at any time without additional authorization or documentation from our office.
  • If you are traveling outside the United States, you will need to request a travel signature on your I-20 or DS-2019 using the ISSS portal (see below for details).
  • F-1 students returning on an active SEVIS record cannot have been outside the US for more than 5 months. If this is that case for you, you will need to be issued a new, initial I-20 (including showing financial information and paying the SEVIS I-901 fee again).
    • NOTE: This can also jeopardize employment opportunities such as Curricular or Optional Practical Training (CPT or OPT). Both require that you be enrolled for a full academic year first, and that timer restarts if you get a new SEVIS record.

You must bring hard copies (i.e. not on your phone) of the following to enter the United States:

  • Valid I-20 or DS-2019 with a travel signature from your DSO (see the section below for instructions on how to request the travel signature).
    • The program end date listed on that form must be after your planned return date.
    • The travel signature needs to have been issued within the last year, or within the last 6 months if you are on OPT.
  • Your passport with at least 6 months remaining until its expiry date. If your passport expires in fewer than 6 months, make plans to renew it while you are gone.
    • Countries listed here have an agreement with the United States that allows you to enter on a current passport up to the actual date of expiration.
  • Valid, unexpired visa with “M” under the “Entries” section.
    • NOTE: your I-20 is not the same as your visa. The visa is usually placed in your passport and only serves as an entry document.
    • You can depart the US with an expired visa, but you will need to renew it before you can return. Plan your trip accordingly to give the embassy enough time to process the renewal.
  • A printed class schedule.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may or may not ask to see any or all these documents. In general, we recommend that you only give CBP what they ask for and don’t volunteer any unnecessary information.

Requesting a Travel Signature

For current active J-1 and F-1 Students:

  1. Log on to the ISSS portal at isss.usu.edu using your A# and USU password.
  2. Click on the “Student Forms” tab near the top right of the screen.
  3. Scroll down until you see the “Request Travel Signature” button.
  4. Complete the questionnaire, upload the required documents, and submit.

Once your advisor receives that request, they will review your documents and issue F-1 students a new I-20 with the travel signature on the back. J-1 students will be contacted by their immigration advisor to bring their current DS-2019 into the office for a wet signature.

General Guidance for Getting through Customs

  • Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will likely ask several questions about your reason for entering the US, which is to study. Answer the questions honestly and concisely. Do not embellish or volunteer additional information that they didn’t ask for.
  • CBP may go through your social media posts photos, downloads, documents, and request access to password protected files or apps that you have. CBP may ask to look through your phone or laptop if you have brought them with you. In that case, you will have to turn these items over for inspection.   
  • If CBP is unable to find a document, you may be granted temporary Entry to the US with an I-515A Form and a visa stamp for 30 days. Reach out to your Immigration Advisor to gather the documents to submit to CBP.  
  • IF you are taken for further questioning/Secondary inspection it does not mean you will be denied entry, but they have further information they need to gather. 
  • Make sure that you get all your documents back from the CBP officer once they have admitted you.  

Traveling while on Optional Practical Training (OPT)

If you are traveling while on OPT, you will need to bring these documents in addition to the normally required ones:

  • The physical copy of your valid EAD (Employment Authorization Document) card. Your OPT end date on the card must be after your planned return date.
  • Valid I-20 with travel signature. Note that your I-20 end date is your OPT end date.
    • The travel signature needs to have been issued within the last 6 months.
  • A copy of your employment offer letter.
  •  Optionally, you can also request a letter from your employer affirming that you are still working there, that they know you are traveling, and the date that they expect you to return to continue working.
  • If you are applying for OPT after graduation, do not leave the U.S. without your new Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card. You will need this card in hand when you return to the U.S. if you have been approved for OPT.

Important Disclaimer: As an international student, the maintenance of your legal status is ultimately your responsibility. It is your responsibility to understand and follow the rules and regulations that govern your status and visa (e.g., 8 CFR § 214.2(f)). The Office of Global Engagement (“GE”) and International Student & Scholar Services provide support and information related to U.S. immigration laws and regulations related to F and J status at Utah State University but are not ultimately responsible for your status and visa. GE and ISSS staff are not attorneys and any information provided by GE and ISSS should not be construed as legal advice. Individuals are welcome to consult a qualified immigration attorney for specific legal advice, particularly in complicated cases. 

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