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Travel As F-1/J-1 Student

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Travel Outside the U.S. While In F1/J1 Student Status 

Travel Endorsement on I-20/DS-2019

  • For travel endorsement, please submit an eform through your RGlobal Portal. Be sure to submit your request at least one week before your travel date.

An F1/J1 student planning to travel outside the U.S. during school break or during a semester (for conference, study/research or family emergency) must submit your original I-20/DS-2019 to OISS for travel endorsement. If your F2/J2 dependents are traveling with you, you should also submit their original I-20s/DS-2019s. The endorsement indicates that OISS certifies you are a Rutgers student maintaining legal status upon traveling and you are expected to come back to Rutgers to continue studies; therefore, travel endorsement is not a simple signature. OISS staff will have to check your school record, SEVIS record, valid visa and passport before signing your I-20/DS-2019 for travel. Each signature is valid for one year from the date the I-20/DS-2019 is signed; you do not need a new signature to travel during the valid period unless you are completing your academic program requirements. .

Required Documents for Reentering the U.S. after Traveling Abroad

  • A current passport valid for at least six months after the date of your planned reentry or, a passport that is current through the date of reentry if issued by one of the countries on the Six-Month Club list posted on US. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website. 
  • An unexpired I-20/DS-2019 with a travel signature less than 12 months old.
  • An unexpired F1/J1 visa stamp valid for future entries into the United States; If you are from a visa exempt country, e.g. Canada, you do not need a visa to reenter the United States from the western hemisphere.
  • Financial information showing proof of necessary funds to cover tuition and living expenses; this may include personal or family bank statements, affidavits of support, or copies of your fellowship or scholarship letter
  • Proof of full-time enrollment in the form of an unofficial transcript printed out from your Rutgers portal or official transcript from the Registrar's Office.

Travel to Canada, Mexico, or the Islands (other than Cuba) Adjacent to the United States

An  F1/J1 student traveling to visit Canada,  Mexico or the adjacent islands of the Caribbean for less than thirty days may reenter the U.S. with an expired visa  provided that you have been maintaining legal status.

The adjacent islands are:

  • Saint Pierre
  • Miquelon
  • The Dominican Republic
  • Haiti
  • Bermuda
  • The Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Jamaica
  • The Windward and Leeward Islands
  • Trinidad
  • Martinique
  • Other British, French, and Netherlands territory or possessions in or bordering on the Caribbean Sea

You will be required to present the following documents at the Port of Entry:

  • A valid Form I-20/DS-2019 endorsed for travel
  • A valid Form I-94 marked with D/S (do NOT surrender your current I-94 when you leave the U.S.)
  • A current passport valid for at least six months after the date of your planned reentry or, a passport that is current through the date of reentry if issued by one of the countries on the Six-Month Club list.
  • A previously-issued nonimmigrant visa (even for a different nonimmigrant classification)

However, if you meet any one of following criteria, the special exemptions do NOT apply to you:

  • You applied for a new visa and it has not been issued 
  • You applied for a new visa and were denied
  • You have a terminated SEVIS record indicating that you are out of status
  • You have been out the United States for more than thirty days
  • You are a citizen of one of the following countries:
    • Cuba
    • Iran
    • North Korea
    • Sudan
    • Syria

Travel After Completing Study

An F1 student is given a 60-day and a J1 student 30-day grace period after completing your degree program to prepare to leave the U.S., to start a new academic program at Rutgers or another U.S. school or to file change of status.  You can travel within the U.S., but if you leave and re-enter, you may not return as an F1/J1 student. Consult OISS if you have further questions.

F1 Student Travel on OPT

  • Do NOT travel outside the U.S. after you complete the degree program but before you file for Post-completion OPT, because your departure will be considered as completing your F1 status and you will not be eligible for OPT after you leave the U.S..
  • You may travel and return to the U.S. to resume employment after a period of temporary absence with the following documents:
    • Form I-20 bearing OPT recommendation endorsed for reentry by OISS within the last six months.
    • Valid F-1 visa
    • Valid passport
    • Job offer letter from employer 
    • Valid EAD card if available
  • For traveling abroad during OPT application pending period, please contact OISS for advices.

PREPARING FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL 

WHAT TO EXPECT AT A US PORT OF ENTRY

When planning to travel to the United States, it is important to be prepared and learn what to expect at a U.S. port of entry. Whether this will be your first time entering, or you are returning to continue your studies, review this information to get ready:

  • If you are a new student or returning student who received an I-20 or DS-2019 with a new SEVIS ID number, do not travel to the United States more than 30 days before the program start date listed on your I-20 or DS-2019.
  • The first time you enter the US with a newly issued visa, the SEVIS ID # and school name on the visa and I-20 should match. If they do not, please contact your embassy to determine if you need an updated visa. 
  • If you are a continuing student, valid immigration documentation about your program (I-20 or DS-2019) with travel signature from Rutgers Global - ISSS. Note that you need a valid travel signature when you return to the US, not when you are leaving. However, it is good to have it in advance in preparation for your travel. 
  • Pack required documents. Put your passport with valid F-1 or J-1 visa and your I-20 or DS-2019 in your carry-on bag; you will not have access to your checked luggage before you cross immigration.
  • Present your passport and valid, unexpired F-1 or J-1 visa and your I-20 or DS-2019 to an immigration officer.
  • At the time of entry to the United States, your passport must be valid for six months beyond the period of your intended stay (i.e. program end date on your I-20 or DS-2019), unless your country is exempt from this requirement. You can also read more about this on the CBP site here. 
  • Students on post-completion or STEM OPT must also present a valid EAD card, and/or proof of pending application (if applicable).
  • Students on Academic Training must travel with their Academic Training letter to prove employment authorization.
  • Carry other recommended documents in your carry-on bag (and only present them if asked):
    • Admissions letter (for new students)
    • SEVIS I-901 fee receipt
    • Your complete unofficial transcript or Enrollment Verification to prove good academic standing (for continuing students)
    • Current proof of funding
    • All previously-issued I-20 or DS-2019 forms
    • Students on OPT or AT can prepare proof of employment (job offer letter, pay stubs, confirmation letter from employer)
    • If needing to apply for a new F-1 or J-1 visa before returning to the U.S., a recently-updated I-20 or DS-2019 issued to you within the 6 months prior to your application for a new visa
    • If your field of study or research is technology or science-related, you may request a letter (on letterhead) from your supervisor, department chair, center director or graduate program director. The letter should explain as much about your program of study and research as possible in simple language.
    • After re-entering the United States, remember to check your I-94 and entry stamp for F-1 or J-1 and D/S. If this is not the case, you must contact CBP deferred inspections to have the entry corrected. 

If you are pulled aside for additional questioning while being processed by Customs and Border Protection:

  • Be sure to treat the officer with respect.
  • It is advisable not to sign any papers – other than those that are clearly routine, such as a customs declaration form -- that you are given without first speaking to an attorney. Depending on what you sign, it could complicate future entry into the United States.
  • If you are detained, or are asked to sign something prior to being released, ask if you may make a phone call. Please note that you may not be allowed to do so, but you should be sure to politely ask.
  • If you are permitted to make a call, call your US-based attorney (if you have one) or our office
  • You can call or email the The Office of International Student and Scholar Services during office hours (Monday - Thursday from 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.)  
    • The Office of International Student & Scholar Services: 973-353-1427; oiss@newark.rutgers.edu  Outside of regular working hours call the Rutgers University Police Department (RUPD) at 973-972-4491.​
      • Keep these contact details on a printed piece of paper. You may not have access to your phone if you are sent to a secondary inspection area.

Traveling Out of the US

If you already have a valid travel signature but have more future international travel planned, please submit the "International Travel Plans" e-form under the "Travel & Location Information" menu on RGlobal Portal to report it. This helps us keep in contact with you during your trip abroad. 

You do not need a travel signature to travel within the United States. Please note - if your travel involves any entry to a non-US territory (such as a tropical island when on a cruise), you will need a travel signature and valid F-1 visa to return. Be cautious! 

"5 Month Rule"

Remaining outside of the United States for more than 5 months at a time could be considered a "permanent" absence by the US government, possibly impacting your ability to re-enter the US in the future with your current I-20 and visa, and future immigration benefits. If this is your plan, please speak an Adviser before your travel/time abroad. Students that do not need to maintain an in-person presence at Rutgers may be advised to close their SEVIS records/end their F-1 status until their return.

Taking a Leave of Absence

We understand emergencies happen and situations may arise that require you to take an extended unplanned break from campus or from your academic work. If an emergency requires you to travel outside of the United States, contact an academic dean or your graduate program director and an international student adviser about the situation before leaving the United States. Visit our Leave of Absence or Withdrawal and Returning to Rutgers pages to find out how this may impact your legal status and how to prepare for your return.

Communication While Abroad

You MUST have a way to read/access your Rutgers emails when you are in your home country/while abroad. This is especially true for students that live in a country with a firewall. Not being able to access your Rutgers emails can have negative impacts on your immigration status, as important updates are sent to you with this method. Read how to update your contact information below.

More Information and Reminders

  • Update your address, email, and phone number on the MyRutgers portal (in the local address section)
  • Review visa application information if you need to apply for a new visa before returning
  • If you are traveling to Canada, Mexico, or adjacent islands for 30 days or less, you may be eligible for Automatic Revalidation
  • Check visa requirements and entry procedures for the country you are traveling to, if you are not visiting your home country, and ensure you have required documentation before departing the United States.
  • Review information about preparing to enter the United States and gather all recommended documents
  • Review our Rutgers Global Alerts page for updated travel alerts, especially regarding presidential executive orders impacting travel
  • If you will be conducting research outside of the United States or participating in a study abroad program, please visit our Doing Research or Study Abroad page for more information.

Useful Travel Resources for International Students

TRAVEL SIGNATURE REQUEST PROCEDURE

All students requesting travel signatures will be required to complete the Travel Signature Request e-form. Please note that we will not be providing travel signatures via walk-ins. Plan accordingly.

Getting a travel signature is easy. Follow these simple steps.

STEP 1 – Make sure you need a new travel signature

  • International students in F-1 or J-1 status must get a travel signature on their I-20 or DS-2019 if returning to complete their studies after a trip abroad.
  • Each travel signature is valid for 12 months. For OPT students, it is valid for 6 months. If the signature on your I-20 or DS-2019 will be more than a year old by the time you reenter the US, you need to get a new signature before you travel.
  • Incoming students or students who have completed their studies and will not return to Rutgers do not need a travel signature. Students who have a terminated I-20/DS-2019/SEVIS record are not eligible for a travel signature. 

STEP 2 – Complete the Travel Signature Request Form on the RGlobal Portal
This is under the "Travel & Location Information" menu. 

STEP 3 – Follow email instructions for getting the travel signature. You will be issued a new I-20/DS-2019 with a travel signature via email.
Your document will be ready within 5-7 business days. Be sure to keep all your previous I-20s/DS-2019s safely.

Do you not have enough time to request a travel signature and receive your documents before your return to the US? 

If  the above situation applies to you, follow these steps. 

STEP 1 - Check your I-20/DS-2019 if you have it with you. You may still have a valid signature.
If you do not, continue to step 2.

STEP 2 - Request a Form I-515A at the US port of entry.

If you do not have enough time to receive a travel signature and a new I-20/DS-2019 before traveling back to the US, respectfully request that the immigration officer allow you to enter with Form I-515A. This gives you a thirty-day admission as an F-1 or J-1 student, and requires you to report to ISSS within that time frame to secure the required travel signature.

To qualify for the Form I-515A, you must have a valid passport, valid F-1 or J-1 visa, and your I-20 or DS-2019 (the officer may allow you to enter without your I-20 or DS-2019 at his/her discretion). You should not enter the US if you have a terminated SEVIS record.

VISA APPLICATION INFORMATION

Whether you are applying for your first student visa, or you are a continuing student who needs to apply for a new visa before returning to continue your studies, review this helpful information about the visa application process:

  • You must have a valid I-20 or DS-2019 to apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa.  New students will receive an I-20 or DS-2019 from the appropriate admissions office after being admitted to Rutgers and submitting required supplemental documentation.  For more information, review the Pre and Post-Arrival Steps for newly admitted students on our website.
  • If you apply for a visa using another school's I-20, but then later decide to go to Rutgers prior to the first time using the visa, you may need to have it updated to say Rutgers prior to your arrival. The first time you use your visa, the name on it must match the name of the school on the I-20 you show at the airport and plan to enroll at. Continuing students that have already used their visa may not be subject to this rule.
  • New students and returning students who received an I-20 or DS-2019  with a new SEVIS ID number must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee before applying for an F-1 or J-1 visa.  This fee is only required for the primary student. Dependents (with an F-2 I-20 or J-2 DS-2019) do not pay the I-901 fee. Continuing students do not need to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee again if they have an active I-20, when applying for a new visa, but you will need a receipt showing that you paid the fee when you first applied for a visa.
  • Complete your online non-immigrant visa application, DS-160
  • Follow the instructions about completing the visa application and interview process provided by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you are applying.  Please note that there is a fee for applying for a U.S. visa.
  • Students may try to directly request an expedited appointment if their start date is arriving and they have yet to secure an appointment. Please note that letters from the school are not required for this request - the start date on the I-20 is considered proof of urgency.
  • Review information about preparing to enter the United States.
  • If you are on OPT, you should prepare to explain your OPT status and continued ties to your home country. You may need to prepare proof of these ties, such as lease or deed to a home abroad, plan for working outside the US, proof of non-US bank account. We recommend waiting until your OPT is approved to apply for the visa renewal.
  • Some students may be eligible to apply for a visa interview waiver if they meet certain requirements. This is determined case-by-case, embassy by embassy. Please confirm your eligibility with the embassy you are applying for the visa at. Note that you physically must be located inside the country of application at the time of drop off and visa review - you cannot just mail your materials. 
  • You are able to apply for an F-1 visa at any overseas embassy that is processing F-1 students. 
  • Some countries limit how early you can renew your visa. Check this with your local consulate. 
  • Watch our video on applying for your visa below or here on Youtube.

Some visa applications require additional administrative processing beyond the consular interview. This can delay your entry to the US. If your application is undergoing administrative processing, and you are unable to arrive at Rutgers in time for your program/session start date, please contact an international student adviser. 

Visa Denials are rare. If there is a denial, it often is based on the student's or scholar's presumed intent to immigrate to the United States, known as 214(b). It is often difficult to disprove this assumption as it is by nature very subjective. Please review the U.S. Department of State resource page to consider whether you can overcome the denial. If your visa is denied and/or you decide not to start/continue your studies at Rutgers, please contact an ISSS Adviser.

Please note that you cannot apply for a visa from within the United States. 

  • If you are currently in the United States and would like to apply for a Change of Status to F-1 or J-1, please review more information on our Change of Status page. 
  • If you are a continuing student, it is okay if your F-1 or J-1 visa expires while you are in the United States.  You do not need to plan travel only to renew your visa, but next time you do plan to travel internationally, be prepared to apply for a new F-1 or J-1 visa before returning.

Additional Information and Resources

Key Contacts

Office of International Student and Scholar Services

973.353.1427
oiss@newark.rutgers.edu
Honors Living Learning Community (HLLC)226 & 227
48 New StreetNewarkNJ07102

OISS In-Person Walk-In Hours:

Please be sure to bring your Rutger ID to gain access to the HLLC

* No appointment necessary. *
Monday - Thursday: 10:00am – 3:00pm

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: CLOSED

Virtual one-on-one appointments available at  Rutgers Newark - OISS (office365.com)