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TRAVELING

F-1 Visa Holders
All international students and their families, who plan to leave the U.S., even for one day, must have the proper documents in order to return. These documents consist of a valid passport, a valid visa, and an endorsed STUDENT COPY OF SEVIS I-20. At least two weeks prior to departure from the U.S., please visit the International Center to obtain an endorsement/signature on your SEVIS I-20. The endorsement on your SEVIS I-20 is valid for 6 months only! Also, you are normally required to surrender your I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record); therefore you will need the proper documents so that you get a new I-94 with the correct notation when you return to the United States.

If you need to apply for a new visa stamp in your passport, the International Center recommends a new SEVIS I-20 for your travel. An I-20 request form must be completed and turned in together with the proper financial documentation.

If you take a trip to Mexico, Canada, or adjacent islands, except Cuba, for less than 30 days, you should NOT surrender your I-94 at the border upon departing the U.S. You should have your valid passport and an endorsed SEVIS I-20. Also, to insure that you are able to enter Mexico or Canada without problems, contact the Mexican or Canadian Consulate in Los Angeles prior to your visit. Some countries require visas to enter Mexico or Canada.

J-1 Visa Holders
All Exchange Visitors and their families, who plan to leave the U.S., even for one day, must have the proper documents in order to reenter the U.S. These documents consist of a valid passport, a valid visa, and an endorsed Form DS-2019. At least two weeks prior to departure from the U.S., please visit the International Center to obtain an endorsement/signature on your SEVIS DS-2019. The endorsement on your SEVIS DS-2019 is valid for 6 months only! Also, you are normally required to surrender your I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record); therefore you will need the proper documents so that you get a new I-94 with the correct notation when you return to the United States.

If you need to apply for a new visa stamp in your passport, the International Center recommends a new SEVIS DS-2019 for your travel. A Request for DS-2019 (Form C) must be completed by your departments. Once completed, please have your departments mail or fax the request form to the International Center.

Traveling to CANADA or MEXICO
If you take a trip to Canada, Mexico, or adjacent islands - except Cuba - for less than 30 days, you should not surrender your I-94 card at the border upon departing the U.S. You should have a valid passport and an endorsed SEVIS I-20 or a new SEVIS I-20. Also to insure that you are able to enter and depart from Mexico or Canada without problems, please contact the Mexicn Consulate or the Consulate General of Canada in Los Angeles prior to your trip. You may visit Mexico or Canada with an expired. You may visit Mexico or Canada with an expired visa stamp in your passport, if your visit is for less than 30 days, and if all your other documents are in order. Some countries may require a visa to enter Canada or Mexico.

Re-Entry into the UNITED STATES
Those F & J non-immigrant students who visit Canada for less than 30 days, have maintained a lawful non-immigrant status in the U.S. and intend to resume that status upon their return must have the following: (1) a valid passport, (2) a valid, properly endorsed I-20 (for F-1 visa holders) or DS-2019 (for J-1 visa holders), and (3) a valid Form I-94 (white card in your passport, known as the "arrival/departure record"). NOTE: a valid (F or J) visa stamp in the passport is not required if you are traveling only to Canada, and the travel period does not exceed 30 days. If your visa stamp is expired, DO NOT surrender your I-94 card, since without it you would be expected to have a valid visa stamp in your passport.

Canadian Citizens
Canadian citizens do not need to obtain a visa in order to enter the U.S. They should, however, be sure to obtain/retain their Form I-94 at the border and carry all of the other appropriate documents with them. Even though students from Canada do not need a passport to enter the U.S., we often recommend that students travel with a valid passport to facilitate other services they may need once in the U.S. (i.e., driver's license, work permit, social security card, etc.).