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International Students

FAQ for F-Nonimmigrants: Entry and Exit

Return to the F-Nonimmigrants Page

2. Reentry For F-1 Nonimmigrants Traveling Outside The United States For Five Months or Less

This section of the FAQ applies to continuing F-1 students who travel outside the United States for five months or less.

Students should consult their Designated School Official (DSO) prior to traveling. Your DSO generally works in the International Student Office. You must have a current SEVIS Form I-20 endorsed for travel and your DSO needs to be able to verify that your SEVIS record is accurate and up-to-date.

If you were registered in NSEERS (Special Registration), be sure you follow the proper exit procedures. See the handout at http://www.ice.gov/doclib/pi/specialregistration/WalkawayMaterial.pdf for detailed information. If you do not follow proper exit procedures, you may be denied admission to the United States at a later date.

For help with unfamiliar terms or abbreviations, consult the glossary.

2.A. What are the basic requirements for an F-1 to reenter the United States after traveling abroad on pleasure or personal business?

  • A SEVIS Form I-20, endorsed for travel and signed by your DSO
  • You have been out of the United States for less than five months
  • A current passport valid for at least six months after the date of your reentry or, if you are from one of the countries listed below, a passport that is current through the date of entry
  • A valid, current visa or you traveled to contiguous country or adjacent island for less than thirty days
  • Financial information showing proof of necessary funds to cover tuition and living expenses

Bringing your most recent I-94, Departure Card, will facilitate your reentry, if reentering through a land POE. If you are flying, the airline will collect your I-94 prior to departure and you will complete a new one upon reentry.

If you are from a visa exempt country, you do not need a passport or visa to reenter the United States from the western hemisphere.

2.B. What if I have an expired passport or one that will expire in less than six months?

You must renew your passport before reentering the United States. In most cases, to enter the United States, you must have a passport that is valid for at least six months after the date you enter or reenter.

However, some countries have an agreement with the United States that allows you to enter on a current passport up to the actual date of expiration.

Try to keep your passport current at all times. You need to determine your country’s requirements for renewing passports as well as the time it will take. Many countries will allow you to renew your passport while in the United States. The other alternative is to renew your passport when you return home for a visit.

You may want to delay leaving the United States until you have renewed your passport. You will not be able to reenter the United States without a valid passport.

If your expired passport has a valid visa, you can still use it if you kept the old passport. Present the old passport, along with the new passport when you reenter the country.

The countries that have an agreement with the United States allowing entry with a passport until the date of expiration are:

Algeria Antigua and Barbuda Argentina
Australia Austria Bahamas
Bangladesh Barbados Belgium
Bolivia Bosnia-Herzegovina Brazil
Canada Chile Colombia
Costa Rica Cote D’Ivoire Cuba
Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark
Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador
Egypt El Salvador Ethiopia
Finland France Germany
Greece Grenada Guatemala
Guinea Guyana Hong Kong (Certificates of Identity and passports)
Hungary Iceland India
Ireland Israel Italy
Jamaica Japan Jordan
Korea Kuwait Laos
Latvia Lebanon Liechtenstein
Luxembourg Madagascar Malaysia
Malta Mauritius Mexico
Monaco Netherlands New Zealand
Nicaragua  Nigeria Norway
Oman Pakistan Panama
Paraguay Peru Philippines
Poland Portugal Qatar
Romania Russia Senegal
St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Singapore Slovak Republic Slovenia
South Africa Spain Sri Lanka
Sudan Suriname Sweden
Switzerland Syria Taiwan
Thailand Togo Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia Turkey United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom Uruguay Venezuela
Zimbabwe    

In addition, travel documents issued by the Government of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands are considered to be valid for the return of the bearer to the Trust Territory for a period of six months beyond the expiration date specified therein.

[Reference 8 CFR 214.1(a)(3)]

2.C. What if my F-1 student visa has expired?

You can stay in the United States on an expired F-1 visa as long as you maintain your student status. However, if you are returning home or traveling to a country where automatic revalidation does not apply, you must have a valid visa to return to the United States.

Ensure that you have all the documentation you need for your visa application and allow sufficient time for processing a new visa. The documentation you may need for a new visa includes, but is not limited to the following:

  • A SEVIS Form I-20, endorsed for travel and signed by your DSO and your original Form I-20 (see your DSO before you travel)
  • Original evidence showing proof of necessary funds to cover tuition and living expenses
  • Evidence showing your intention to return to your home country upon program completion, including evidence of compelling social and economic ties to your home country
  • If you have applied for or had optional practical training (OPT) approved, bring a copy of your Form I-20 endorsed for OPT and your Employment Authorization Document (EAD), if one has been issued

The Department of State recommends that you apply for a visa in your home country. For more information about visa applications visit the Department of State website at www.UnitedStatesVisas.gov.

You can apply in a third country for a visa, but you will not be able to return to the United States until your visa has been issued. In some cases, this could take several weeks if a background check is required. If your visa is denied, you will not be able to return to the United States. Be sure to check the Department of State website for specific information pertaining to each consulate.

If you have an expired visa and a terminated record, we strongly advise that you do not travel outside the United States until your SEVIS record shows that you are in active status. If you do travel, you may not be able to renew your visa or return to the United States.

2.D. As a continuing student, will I need to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee if I travel outside the United States?

No. See the I-901 FAQ for detailed information on the SEVIS I-901 fee.

2.E. I wish to travel to Canada, Mexico, or one of the islands (other than Cuba) adjacent to the United States. Can I return if my visa is expired?

Yes, in most cases. You can usually revalidate an expired visa automatically when returning from a visit of less than thirty days to Canada, Mexico, or one of the islands adjacent to the United States (other than Cuba) provided that you have a valid SEVIS Form I-20 and a valid unexpired Form I-94. This process is known as automatic visa revalidation.

However, if you meet any one of following criteria, you will not be able to automatically revalidate your visa.

  • 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

[Reference 8 CFR 214.1(b)(3)]

2.F. Which islands are defined as “adjacent islands”?

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

[Reference INA, Section 101(b)(5)]

2.G. Do I need a valid visa to visit Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands?

No. You will need a valid SEVIS Form I-20 and a valid unexpired Form I-94. Be sure that you do not have a terminated SEVIS record indicating that you are out of status.

2.H. How do I know if I have a terminated record in SEVIS?

Your DSO can tell you what your SEVIS record status is and give you appropriate travel related advice.

2.I. I want to travel outside the United States, but my SEVIS record has been terminated. Can I return if I travel?

If you need to travel on a terminated record, you must visit your DSO. If your school has requested a data fix, the DSO will put your help desk ticket number on your Form I-20 and report your pending travel to SEVP.

There is no guarantee you will be readmitted to the United States if you travel on a terminated record. In most cases, inspectors will allow you to reenter the United States if you are otherwise admissible and your DSO has properly annotated your Form I-20. It is likely, however, you will be sent to secondary inspection while CBP determines whether you are eligible to return to the United States.

2.J. [Reserved]

2.K. Can I travel outside the United States if I have a Form I-485 adjustment of status application pending?

No, not without advance permission. If you depart the United States with a pending I-485, you have abandoned your application unless you receive permission in advance from USCIS to return to the United States. This permission is called Advance Parole. See the USCIS website at http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/i-485.htm#485 for more information. You need to plan in advance. You can check the USCIS website at https://egov.immigration.gov/cris/jsps/ptimes.jsp;jsessionid=b4wd_SP7jI0c to find out the processing time at the various Service Centers.

You may also be considered ineligible to return to the United States as an F-1 student, because your application to change status to that of a permanent resident is evidence of intent to immigrate which is inconsistent with nonimmigrant student status.

2.L. Can I reestablish F-1 student status by obtaining a new initial Form I-20 and reentering the United States?

Yes. However, you will be considered an initial student for SEVIS purposes. You will have to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee and any time that you have accrued towards qualification for training or employment is lost.

You must have the new SEVIS Form I-20 showing that you are entering on a new SEVIS ID number.

You should be aware that the CBP inspecting officer will determine whether or not to admit you to the United States with the new SEVIS Form I-20. If you did not comply with the terms of your status during a prior stay in the United States, CBP may decide that you are not eligible to reenter.

2.M. Can I reenter during the 60-day grace period after finishing my program or after finishing OPT?

No.

2.N. Can I reenter if my request for OPT is pending?

Yes, you may reenter to search for employment.

2.O. Can I reenter if I left while on OPT?

If your OPT has been approved and you depart before you get a job, your OPT ends and you cannot reenter unless you have a written job offer.

If you have a job, you may travel and reenter to resume work at the same job or you have a written offer for another job.

2.P. Are there any other requirements for travel outside the United States?

The questions above outline the general requirements for reentry for F-1 students. However, because individual circumstances vary, consult your DSO, embassy, or legal advisor before traveling. If you discuss your travel plans as soon as possible, this will allow time to ensure you have proper documentation for travel.

If you are not returning to your home country, you should check the requirements of the country you are visiting. Some countries will require a visa. You may also need an in-transit visa for countries where you are making a connecting flight. Be sure to check before you travel. Most countries have immigration websites that provide visa information.


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