Travel
If a student is leaving the country, s/he must have
his/her Form I-20 or DS-2019 by an OIS advisor. No appointment is necessary
for the signing of a Form I-20/DS-2019.
Please come during our Walk-In Hours of 2:00 pm-4:00pm. Please bring your I-20/DS-2019, passport and visa with you when you come.
F-1 student
Re-entry to the United States
A student in F-1 status needs the following documents to
reenter the US after a temporary trip outside the US: a valid passport, a valid
F-1 visa (if travel is to non-contiguous territories. See section below on automatic revalidation) and a valid I-20 ID
Copy endorsed on page 4 by an OIS advisor.
(Canadian citizens are not required to obtain a visa stamp in their
passports.) The adviser’s signature is generally valid for one year and can be
signed if the student is in lawful status and eligible to be readmitted in the
same status. It is also recommended
that students carry with them updated proof of financial resources, full-time
enrollment, and a transcript.
Visa Renewal
If the student’s visa has expired or there are no
remaining valid entries on the current visa stamp, it is necessary for the
student to apply for a new student visa in the student’s home country. In some cases, it may be advisable for OIS
to issue a new, updated I-20 and give both pages to the student for obtaining a
new visa. You must be able to show
proof that you have adequate support for the remainder of your program (i.e.
assistantship award letter, bank statements, etc.)
Passport Expiration
If a student’s passport has expired or will expire within
his/her time of study in the United States, s/he must renew it at his/her
embassy/consulate in the US or appropriate government office in the home
country before returning.
J-1 student
Re-entry to the United States
A student in J-1 status needs the following documents to
reenter the US after a temporary trip outside the US: a valid passport, a valid
J-1 visa (if travel is to non-contiguous territories. See section below on automatic revalidation), and a valid DS-2019
signed by the J-1 program sponsor. The
program sponsor is whoever issued the DS-2019.
F-2/J-2 Dependents
F-2 and J-2 dependents require the same visa documents to
reenter the country as the F-1 and J-1 student: valid passport, a valid F-2/J-2
visa (if travel is to non-contiguous territories), and a student’s properly
endorsed Form I-20/ DS-2019 or a Form I-20/DS-2019 issued for dependent family
member travel.
Automatic Revalidation
Students and scholars in
lawful nonimmigrant status may travel to a contiguous territory and/or adjacent
islands and re-enter the US on an expired nonimmigrant visa (automatic
revalidation). Eligibility for
automatic visa revalidation and re-entry into the US are as follows: a student
or scholar (or dependent) must be in lawful nonimmigrant status, have a
passport (valid for at least 6 months into the future), Form I-94, and a
properly endorsed Form I-20 (F) or DS-2019 (J) for re-entry if in F or J
status. The time spent outside the US
cannot exceed more than thirty days.
"Contiguous Territory" includes Canada, Mexico and adjacent
islands in the Caribbean (except Cuba).
When traveling to a contiguous territory you do not surrender your I-94
upon departure from the US. If you
travel to a third country from Canada, Mexico, or an adjacent island in the
Caribbean, this provision for automatic visa revalidation is no longer
applicable.
New Regulation
(effective April 01, 2002) - If a student or scholar in F, J, H, and O
status (including dependents) applies for a nonimmigrant visa at a US Consulate
or Embassy in either Canada or Mexico and the nonimmigrant visa is denied,
he/she will not be able to return to the US using automatic revalidation. The student or scholar (and dependents) will
be required to return to his/her country and apply for a new visa stamp. Citizens of the following countries are now
ineligible for automatic revalidation: Cuba, Iraq, Iran, Libya, North Korea,
Sudan, and Syria. Students and Scholars
from these countries must have a valid US visa to enter the United States at
all times.
Update on Travel to Canada and Mexico:
Q: What
is automatic revalidation?
A: Students and
their dependents in lawful nonimmigrant status may travel to a contiguous
territory and/or adjacent islands and re-enter the US on an expired
nonimmigrant visa (automatic revalidation). Eligibility for automatic visa
revalidation and re-entry into the US are as follows: a student [or
dependent(s)] must be in lawful nonimmigrant status, have a passport (valid for
at least 6 months into the future), Form I-94, and a properly endorsed Form
I-20 (F-1/F-2) or DS-2019 (J-1/J-2) for re-entry if in F or J status. The time
spent outside the US cannot exceed more than thirty days. "Contiguous
Territory" includes Canada, Mexico and adjacent islands in the Caribbean
(except Cuba). When traveling to a contiguous territory you do not surrender
your Form I-94 upon departure from the US. If you travel to a third country
from Canada, Mexico, or an adjacent island in the Caribbean, this provision for
automatic visa revalidation is no longer applicable. If you apply for a visa at a US Embassy/Consulate in a contiguous
territory automatic revalidation is no longer possible.
Q: How does this new rule impact F1 and J-1
students and their dependents?
A: This rule applies to students and their dependents. If a
student (including dependents) applies for a nonimmigrant visa at a US
Consulate or Embassy in either Canada or Mexico and the
nonimmigrant visa is denied, he/she will not be able to return to the US using
automatic revalidation. The student (and dependents) will be required to return
to his/her country and apply for a new visa<
stamp. Citizens of the following countries are not eligible for automatic
revalidation: Cuba, Iraq, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Sudan, and Syria. Students
from these countries must have a valid US visa to
enter the United States at all times.
Consular
Updates:
Note: After September 11, re-entering the United
States may become more difficult. If you are obtaining a new visa while you are
abroad, you should expect longer than usual processing times. For the latest
information regarding re-entry into the United States please consult with an
OIS adviser. If you need to obtain a
US visa while you are abroad, first visit the website of the local consulate or
embassy in your home country or the country you will be visiting for updated
visa processing information.
Depending on
conditions at each US consular post, we advise you to check the website for US
embassies at http://usembassy.state.gov regarding current procedures, nonimmigrant visa
services, and operating hours before making travel plans. Since local conditions may change quickly,
and consular websites may not be updated immediately, we also suggest that you
contact the consular post directly before mailing documents or going to the
post. As a result of heightened
security, it is expected that consular and immigration operations abroad and in
the United States will be slower, and more scrutiny of documentation can be
expected. Please review the contents of your documents before presenting them
to a consular officer or immigration inspector.
Changes in applying for a nonimmigrant visa:
There are new forms for applying for a nonimmigrant visa to the United States.
All applicants will need to complete DS-156 and all males between the ages of
16-45 will need to complete the DS 157. These forms are available at
http://travel.state.gov/DS-0156.pdfand http://travel.state.gov/DS-0157.pdf. Write neatly, answer
truthfully, and be brief.
The Department of State (DOS) may make exceptions to this rule either by
exempting certain visa categories or expanding the list of those covered. The
DOS has the authority to exempt diplomats or to require women or those of
different ages to complete the form. The DS-157 is used in conjunction with the
DS-156 to determine visa classification and eligibility. Signatures for I-20s
or DS-2019s do not require an appointment, but appointments are recommended for
other matters. If you have any
questions or concerns about traveling abroad, please contact an OIS advisor.
It is anticipated that more regulations will be published in the months ahead,
including a major revision of all student regulations. When the new regulations
are published, we will notify you by email, post the
changes on our website, make available a printed summary of the most important
changes, and host a large group meeting. The new regulations may take effect
without a waiting time, so stay tuned. In the meantime, do well in your study
program, maintain your lawful nonimmigrant status, and enjoy your time at NC
State.
US Department of State Announces New Visa Procedures for
Men from Certain Arab and Muslim Countries:
The US Department of
State has announced a waiting period for nonimmigrant visa applications for men
between the ages of 16 and 45 from at least 26 Arab and Muslim countries. A
security screening process will add at least an additional 20 business days
(i.e., four weeks) to the normal visa application processing time at US
embassies and consulates. This screening process will be in effect for at least
several months. The State Department has not confirmed the list of countries
affected. Students are advised to apply early for visas and to expect delays.
Please consult individual embassy/consular websites (http://usembassy.state.gov) for updates.
The State Department
has announced changes in procedures at the US Embassy
in Paris, France. The Embassy is accepting nonimmigrant applications by
mail only. Students (dependents) who intend to apply for nonimmigrant visas
should continue to check individual embassy websites for
country-specific information, as changes in agency practice are occurring on a
post-by-post basis rather than a worldwide basis.
Important Reminder on Travel, Domestic and International:
Whenever a foreign
national enters, leaves, or travels within the United States, that individual
and all accompanying dependents should carry their immigration documents with
them. This is especially important to remember now, during this period of
heightened security. These documents include valid passport, I-94
arrival-departure record, and I-20 (F-1 students), DS-2019 (J-1 exchange
visitors), I-797 (H-1B, O-1, TN). Please take extra precautions to safeguard
your documents. You can bring copies to
retain in your file in OIS in case of loss or theft.
Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record):
At the port of entry into the US, the immigration officer issues a Form I-94 to
every nonimmigrant. Often the Form I-94 is handed out on the plane shortly
before landing. The Form I-94 indicates your non-immigrant classification and
any endorsements made by the immigration officer. The Form I-94 indicates the
place and date of entry of your admission to the United States and the initial
period of authorized stay.
Noted on the Form I-94 for students and their dependents is D/S, for Duration
of Status. For F-1or J-1 students, D/S means the period during which you are
pursuing a full course of study at the educational institution, which issued
the visa certificate. You may remain in the United States as long as you
maintain lawful F-1 or J-1 student status until the end date on Form I-20 (F-1)
or DS-2019 (J-1) or completion of program whichever occurs first.
FAQ’s for Travel
1. What happens if
my visa expires while I am studying in the United States?
You will still maintain legal status if your visa expires
while you are in the United States as long as you are pursuing F-1 studies and
your I-20 is valid. The visa is a
permit which allows you to enter the United States but does not determine your
period of authorized stay. However, if
you travel, you will need a new visa from your home country to reenter the
country.
2. What happens if
my passport expires while I am in the United States?
You must ALWAYS have a valid passport at all times for at
least 6 months into the future. You
will need to go your country’s nearest embassy or consulate to renew your
passport or you may have to return to your home country to renew your passport. Be sure to send copies of all your documents
by certified or registered mail to the embassy/consulate for passport
renewal. One foreign embassy/consulate
website is: http://www.state.gov/www/travel/consular_offices/chanceries.html
3. Because of the
events of September 11, has reentering the country been a problem for students?
So far, students have had very few problems reentering the
country when they are accompanied by valid documents (passport, F-1 visa,
I-20). OIS also recommends that
students carry proof of full-time enrollment and proof of financial resources.
An official school transcript can be requested at the Records and Registration
office for a small fee.
As of April 1, 2002, the “automatic revalidation” provision
has changed. If a person applies for a
visa of any kind at a U.S. embassy or consulate while visiting Canada, Mexico,
or the Caribbean and is denied, that person is not permitted to return to the
U.S. under the "automatic revalidation" provisions. The “automatic
revalidation” provisions refers to holders of non-immigrant visa classes who
have expired visa stamps in their passports.
It states that certain expired visa stamps are considered valid for
travel only and solely to "contiguous territory and adjacent
islands." Contiguous territory is Canada and Mexico, and adjacent islands
are those located in the Caribbean (excluding Cuba). This means that you did
not need a new visa stamp to reenter the U.S. after this type of travel. However, if a visa is denied, students must
return to their home countries to obtain a new visa.
4. Can I travel on
Optional Practical Training?
You are eligible to leave and re-enter the US while on F-1
OPT if you are coming back to resume employment and continue to meet all other
eligibility requirements (valid passport, valid F-1 visa stamp, valid EAD,
recently endorsed I-20, can prove nonimmigrant intent and are unlikely to
become a “public charge”). A new I-20
with dates correlating to the authorized period of employment as reflected on
the EAD is not necessary, but if the student intends to travel abroad and will
require a new F-1 visa for re-entry, a new I-20 can be requested from
OIS. It is strongly recommended that
you NOT leave the country while your OPT application is pending at INS, but
that any trips abroad be before your completion while you are still a student
or after you have your EAD and employment.
5. Can I travel
while my change of status is pending?
It is not recommended that you travel while your change of
status application is pending. INS
considers you to have abandoned your application and you may not be able to
obtain a nonimmigrant visa to reenter the United States.
