Are you traveling outside the U.S. over Thanksgiving or Winter Intersession?

Key Tips for International Travel:

• Is your visa valid for your return?
• Do you have a valid travel signature from the ISSO on your Form I-20 (F-1 students) or DS-2019 (J-1 students and scholars)?
• Do you have a copy of your I-901 SEVIS Fee Receipt?
• Are you graduating in January 2017 or is your I-20/DS-2019 expiring?
  

Do you need to renew your visa on this trip? The F-1 or J-1 visa stamp in your passport must be valid on the day you will reenter the U.S. in order for you to be eligible to return in a student (or scholar) immigration status. If your visa will expire before the date of your return, you must apply for a new visa at a U.S. consulate or embassy while you are out of the U.S. If this will be your first time applying for a visa renewal, plan to request a new travel signature before you leave the U.S. and to speak with an ISSO advisor to make sure you are prepared for your visa appointment. 

What is a travel signature?

• A travel signature is a signature from an ISSO official on your I-20 or DS-2019 
• This signature is generally valid for one year, and can be used for multiple trips abroad. (The signature is valid for six months only for F-1 students on approved F-1 Optional Practical Training.)
• You need to have a valid travel signature on the date you reenter the U.S. after international travel.
• A more recent travel signature is recommended if you plan to renew your visa on this trip abroad.
• If you have a valid travel signature already, there is no need to come to the ISSO to request one.  

Do you need a travel signature? Look at page three of your most recent I-20 or the right-hand side of your DS-2019.  If you already have a valid travel signature, then you do not need a new one. A travel signature is considered valid if it is dated no more than one year before the date you expect to return to the U.S. A more recent travel signature is recommended if you will renew your visa on this trip abroad.

SAMPLE F-1 Travel Signature (New Version I-20 – page 2):SAMPLE J-1 Travel Signature (right-hand side of DS-2019):          

How can I request a travel signature? Bring your passport with most recent visa, current I-20, passport entry stamp or I-94 card (if applicable) to the front desk of the ISSO and request a travel signature. Please plan ahead as travel signatures may take up to 24-hours for ISSO processing.  Travel signatures can often be completed upon request if you choose to wait at the ISSO. However, during busy travel times, please come prepared to wait a few minutes for this expedited service. The ISSO will also be offering Travel Signature Days at the BU Medical Campus.  In June 2015, the Form I-20 was redesigned as a result of a SEVIS update. For F-1 students requesting a travel signature with a current version I-20 (issued on or before June 26, 2015) the ISSO will be issuing a new version I-20 along with the travel signature to ensure that your travel signature (and I-20) are valid for a full year.  If you have a valid travel signature on a current version I-20 (valid for up to one year), it is not necessary to come to the ISSO for a new version I-20 at this time. All new continuing F-1 students must have a new version I-20 before July 1, 2016. 

What is my SEVIS Fee Receipt? You may have paid your I-901 SEVIS Fee several years ago. All F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors with “initial” immigration documents issued on or after 10/27/2008 were required to pay this SEVIS Fee when you first began your program of study. When entering the U.S. you may be asked to provide proof that this fee was paid. If you have been continuously enrolled with the same SEVIS record, you  do not need to pay the fee again, provided you have proof of payment. If you took a leave of absence, had a break in status or traveled to regain status with a new SEVIS number, you will need to pay a new SEVIS Fee for a new SEVIS record. Proof of SEVIS Fee payment can be printed from the I-901 SEVIS Fee website.  

Are you graduating in January 2017 or is your I-20/DS-2019 expiring? Are you done with (or almost done with) your program of study? If you are planning to graduate in January 2017 or if your I-20/DS-2019 is expiring, then you may need to take steps with the ISSO before you travel. You may have difficulty returning to the U.S. in F-1 or J-1 status if your classes are done and you have no further academic activities to complete at BU.

If you plan to request an I-20 extension, transfer to another school, move to another program at BU, or apply for post-completion OPT or J-1 Academic Training, we would encourage you to do this before you leave so that your I-20/DS-2019 correctly reflects your future academic intentions. 

What should I do after I return to the U.S.? When you arrive in the U.S. by air or sea, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will stamp your passport and electronically update your I-94 entry record to reflect the immigration status in which you were admitted and the length of lawful stay that you have been granted. For land border entries a paper I-94 Admission Record may still be issued. For F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, and your F-2 and J-2 dependents, both your passport stamp and your electronic or paper I-94 should reflect your correct status type and the notation “D/S” (meaning you were admitted for “duration of status”). Each time you reenter the U.S. it is important to check both your passport stamp and your electronic I-94 record to make certain these are correct. Errors to your admission status or length of stay can jeopardize your ability to study, work and remain lawfully in the U.S. If you discover an error to your passport stamp or your electronic or paper I-94 record, come to the ISSO immediately do discuss how this can be corrected.

U.S. Passport Entry Stamp“F-1 D/S” = F-1 status for “Duration of Status”or “J-1 D/S” = J-1 status for “Duration of Status”

 A clear passport stamp is often sufficient to show your admission in a specific immigration status. However, if the stamp in your passport is not clear, OR, you need to apply for employment authorization or other benefits from federal government agencies, you will need to present a print out of your electronic I-94 record.  

I-94 Admission Number Retrievali94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94

If you have further questions about international travel or visa renewal please contact the ISSO with or refer to the ISSO Travel Tips for more information. 

In addition, students should pay careful attention to Boston University’s Health and Safety Advisories for travel to high-risk countries.