Travel

An international student's I-20 or DS-2019 must be properly endorsed before traveling outside of the United States. Please make sure you come by the OIS during appointment hours in order to get a signature on your form.

The signature on the I-20 must be less than 6 months old when you are returning to the U.S. Students must also have a valid passport and visa.

Students traveling to adjacent islands or contiguous territories are not always required to have a valid visa. You can reference this website for a list of countries that are "adjacent islands" or "contiguous territories." If you have any questions, please contact the OIS before you leave.

Going on a cruise? International Student and Scholar Services at Binghampton University, SUNY has prepared an article that addresses the "Ports of Call" that may or may not be "continguous territories or adjacent islands" as defined by the Code of Federal Regulations. You can access it here: http://www2.binghamton.edu/isss/travel/cruise.html

If you forgot to get your I-20 signed for travel before leaving, or you packed it away in your suitcase, ask the border officer for an I-515A form. This will allow you to enter the country in F-1 status; however you must come to the OIS immediately to finish process your entry. Your I-94 card will be stamped "F-1" and a date certain, instead of D/S.