Travel Information

F-1, J-1 students, J-1 Research Scholars/Professors and all dependents that plan to travel outside of the United States and return to Kansas State University must request a travel signature on their form I-20 or DS-2019 so it can be signed for re-entry into the U.S. This should be done 2 to 3 weeks prior to traveling. Note that if your DS-2019 was not issued by K-State, you will need to contact your program sponsor for this signature. If you are traveling within the U.S., you do not need to have your documents signed for travel but you are required to carry your passport and I-20 or DS-2019 with you at all times. F-1 and J-1 students must complete the Travel Signature Request Form and submit electroncally to isss@ksu.edu. A new I-20 will be issued and emailed to you.

Travel Documentation

You must carry the following documentation when traveling outside the U.S. in order to reenter:

• Passports
  You should keep your passport valid for 6 months into the future. If you notice that the expiration date on your passport is approaching, go to the Department of State's website for a listing of foreign consular offices in the U.S. You may need to send your passport to your consulate in order to renew it. When sending your passport through the mail, it is a good idea to send it by certified mail or by a courier service, such as FedEx or DHL, which will allow you to track your passport. Also be sure to keep your receipt so that you can prove that the passport was sent for renewal.
• Visas

  The visa stamp that is in your passport can expire while you are in the United States. The visa stamp is used only for entry into the U.S. If you leave the U.S. and plan to return but your visa stamp has expired or you have changed your nonimmigrant status while inside the U.S., you will need to get a new visa before reentering the U.S. Please note that visa stamps can only be issued outside of the United States. For more information on U.S. visas, visit the U.S. Department of State's webpage.

  For tips on applying for a visa, visit NAFSA: Association of International Educators web site, "10 Points to Remember When Applying for a Student Visa."

• I-20 or DS-2019 with Valid Travel Signature
  A travel 'endorsement' is issued by a Designated School Official (DSO) and appears on page 2 of your I-20 or page 1 of your DS-2019. Complete the request form linked at the top of this page and submit it to ISSS. 
  
  

  Travel Signature Validity
  Current Students	While on OPT/STEM OPT Extension
  1 year	6 months

You should also carry the following and have them readily available if asked by CPB:

• I-94

  CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) now gathers travelers’ arrival/departure information automatically from their electronic travel records. Because advance information is only transmitted for air and sea travelers, CBP will still issue a paper form I-94 at land border ports of entry. If you were issued a paper form, upon exiting the U.S. the traveler should surrender the I-94 to the commercial carrier or to CBP upon departure. Your most recent I-94 is available to download/print for free on the CBP website.
  See the the CBP website (or this fact sheet) for more information regarding the I-94.

• I-901 ‘SEVIS Fee’ Receipt Notice
  The I-901 is mandatory for all F-1 and J-1 visa appliations to support the Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and its information system (SEVIS) which tracks participants' status. You should present receipt of payment of the SEVIS Fee at your visa appointment and carry it with you when you travel.
  Your I-901 is available to download/print for free on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement [ICE] website.
• Official transcripts and/or Certificate of Enrollment
  Transcripts and Verification of Enrollment letters/Certificates of Enrollment act as proof of your continuing studies. These documents can be requested from the Registrar's Office, located at 118 Anderson Hall. Be sure that these documents make note of your full-time enrollment for every semester you’ve been enrolled. It is also possible to request proof of full-time pre-registration for next semester, if you have pre-registered.
• Proof of Finances
  Your 'financials' are listed on your I-20 or DS-2019, but you could also carry other documentation which verifies that you will be able to support your stay and studies, such as bank statements or an assistantship letter from your department.

Those on OPT/STEM OPT Extension should carry the following, in addition to everything listed above:

• If your OPT Application to USCIS is Pending
  I-797 Receipt Notice
• If you are on Approved OPT or STEM OPT Extension

  Employment Authorization Document (EAD) AND Proof of Employment (offer letter, recent pay stubs, Forms I-983, etc.)

FAQ

• Do You Use Social Media?

  Please note that, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) can search the electronics of all individuals
  entering the U.S., including nonimmigrants, permanent residents AND U.S. citizens. For information about the authority of CBP to search, please see the agency website. For suggestions on what to do if CBP asks to see your phone, computer or laptop, please see the linked guide from the ACLU.

• Need to obtain a New Visa Stamp to re-enter the U.S.?

  If you visit countries outside the United States other than Canada, Mexico, or an adjacent island, you must have a valid F or J visa stamp in your passport to re-enter the United States. (Students from Iran, Sudan and Syria must always have a valid visa when entering the U.S.) This is essential in addition to having a signed form I-20 or DS-2019. If your visa is no longer valid, you must take your passport and you I-20 or DS-2019 to the nearest United States Consulate or Embassy in the country you are visiting to apply for a new visa stamp. Evidence of financial support for your studies in the U.S. must also be presented. Also, be advised that you may encounter problems or delays if you attempt to get a new visa outside your home country. Before you leave for a trip outside the U.S., consult the International Student and Scholar Services to determine whether or not you need a new visa stamp.

  Visiting Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean area--automatic revalidation information. If you are traveling to Canada, Mexico, or adjacent islands other than Cuba for less than 30 days, you may be eligible to reenter the U.S. without obtaining a visa stamp. Please see an International Student Advisor for more information on this revalidation benefit.

  If you have been outside the U.S. for period of five months or more, you should apply for a new visa. It may be necessary to explain your situation and reason for applying for a new visa to the consular officer. Some Ports of Entry may not allow you to enter if you do not obtain a new visa after a significant absence such as this. Please contact our office with any additional questions regarding an absence from the U.S. greater than five months.

• Traveling to a country other than your country of citizenship?

  If you are traveling to Mexico, Canada, or any country that is not your country of citizenship, you may need a visa to enter that country. The following contacts may be helpful to determine if you need a visa to enter another country.

  More detailed instructions regarding the visa process can be found on the appropriate website:

  • Department of State
  • To Book an Appointment in Mexico
  • To Book an Appointment in Canada

To find additional information regarding traveling, please read the following documents:

Traveling Tips for International Students

ACLU: Know your Rights

Defending Privacy at the U.S Border