Frequently Asked Questions:
Traveling on F-1 and J-1 Visas
How often should the back of my I-20
be endorsed?
Your I-20 should be signed by one of the Responsible
Officers (RO), Alternate Responsible Officers
(ARO) or Designated School Officials (DSO) in
order for you to re-enter the U.S. after you travel
outside the U.S. The signature is valid for re-entry
for up to six months from the signature date or
until the completion date indicated on the I-20,
whichever comes first. (Please note that if you
remain out of the U.S. for more than five (5)
months, you will need to request a new I-20 for
re-entry).
For students who have graduated and are on post-completion
practical training, the signature is valid for
six months only.
I have a newly reissued passport. While
I am in the United States, is it possible to change
my valid visa stamp from my old passport to the
new one?
No. However, you may get a new visa stamp in your
newly issued passport from the U.S. Consulate/Embassy
in your home country.
I recently graduated. I would like to
travel back to my home country for a vacation,
and then return to the United States to work under
Optional Practical Training. Do I need to request
an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) prior
to my departure? Yes. Optional Practical
Training must be applied for prior to completion
of studies. In order to re-enter the United States,
you will need the following documents:
1) Valid passport
2) Valid visa stamp
3) SEVIS I-20 with endorsement for
Optional Practical Training
4) Valid EAD
What happens if the visa stamp in my
passport expires while I am still in the U.S.?
The visa stamp in you passport is an "entry
permit" only, so you need not be concerned
if it expires once you have already entered the
U.S. However, if you plan to travel out of the
U.S. and re-enter, you will need to go to the
U.S. Consulate (preferably in your home country)
and apply for a new visa stamp. When you go to
the Consulate to apply for the new visa stamp,
you should bring with you a newly issued SEVIS
I-20 (if you are a student in F-1 status). It
is also strongly recommended that you provide
proof of sufficient funding to cover you tuition
and living expenses, and a letter from your advisor
stating that you are in good standing and making
adequate progress toward your degree. An official
transcript and proof of your close ties to your
home country are also recommended.
|
