Travel and Reentry

Introduction

When temporarily traveling outside of the US as an F-1 student, please secure the documents necessary to permit entry to another country AND re-entry to the US. It is the STUDENT'S responsibility to ensure all required documents are secured. The ISS Office cannot guarantee a "delay-free" experience at the US Customs and Border Patrol.

Visits Abroad

When planning to visit another country or study abroad, please keep in mind that other countries have rules and restrictions on who can enter their country. Check with the Embassy of the country you plan to visit to inquire about specific entry procedures. Embassy.org provides a list of foreign embassies in the US.

Re-entry to the United States

In order to reenter the US after a temporary absence of 5 months or less, an F-1 student must secure the following documents:

Valid passport
Valid F-1 visa
Valid Form I-20 endorsed by a DSO within the past 12 months
If an F-1 student has lawfully transferred schools while in the US, the visa may specify a previous university attended. An F-1 student is still permitted to re-enter without having the new school's name on the visa (with I-20 and passport).

Electronic I-94 Retrieval

Admission to the US as an F-1 student is evidenced in most cases by a Form I-94 that reflects the date and class of admission. There are both paper and electronic versions of Form I-94. It is highly recommended to print your I-94 each time you re-enter the US to ensure you have been entered into the US on the correct Visa type, F1.

F-1 students are granted the electronic version of the Form I-94. To access the electronic, I-94 record, go to the I94 - Official Website (dhs.gov) website. Select "YES" to agree to the terms and enter the required information. This electronic record includes your most recent arrival record and I-94 number but also your travel history on the passport number you entered. If you have any issues retrieving your I-94, make sure you are entering your name as it appears on your passport machine readable zone at the bottom of your passport. If you still cannot retrieve your I-94, please contact the ISS Office for assistance.