Travel Checklist for F-1 Students

Travel Checklist for F-1 Students
 

• Current Passport - valid for at least 6 months after the date of your entry
• Valid F-1 Visa   - not expired
• Travel signature from DSO - located on page 2 of your I-20.  Signatures are valid for 12 months (6 months while on OPT)
• Class schedule - register in full-time course load before you travel
•  Travel documentation - travel dates must be in compliance with F-1 visa status; your class attendance on campus must not be disrupted. 

If traveling on active OPT, ISS also recommends the following documents:

• EAD Card
• Employment Verification Letter - this can be obtained from your supervisor or HR Department)
• Recent Paystubs

Note:  if you exceed the limits on unemployment while outside the US, you will not be eligible to re-enter in F-1 status.  Additionally, you cannot re-enter the US unless you are coming back to a job.

Traveling with a pending OPT application or a pending Change of Status is not recommended

• Pending Change of Status (CoS): Please note: if you depart the United States while an application to change status is pending adjudication, you will effectively be abandoning your application to change status.
• Pending Optional Practical Training (OPT):
  • USCIS may request more information (RFE) while you are abroad. This information can only be sent to a US address and if you are abroad, you will likely miss an important deadline.
  • If your OPT is approved while you are outside of the US, you would need to show your EAD card upon re-entry.  Your EAD card can only be sent to a US address.
  • It is not an option to exit the US and re-enter as a tourist if your OPT has not yet been approved.  This will violate your  F-1 status and you will lose your OPT benefit.