Always keep the items listed below in your carry-on luggage; do not pack them in your suitcase! When re-entering the United States after an international trip, be prepared to present the following documents at the US Port of Entry:

• Valid Passport (must be valid 6 months into the future at all times)
• Valid F-1 Visa (except students with Canadian citizenship)
• I-20 with valid Travel Endorsement Signature (printed paper I-20 required for US entry)

It is also recommended to carry the following items:

• Print-out of current CCA class registration (or next semester’s class registration if traveling during a break)
• Financial documents reflecting funding resources listed on your I-20

If traveling outside the US in the next few months, check page 2 of your most recent I-20 to see if you need a new travel signature. Signatures are valid for 12 months from the most recent date in the “Travel Endorsement” box on page 2 of your I-20.

Need an updated travel signature? You have these two options:

1) Schedule an on campus / in person appointment here and an ISS staff member can sign your paper I-20.

or

2) US Customs and Boarder Protection (CBP) will allow ISS staff to digitally sign on page 2 of the I-20 form for travel endorsement purposes. Complete the ISS Travel Signature Request form. Upload a PDF of your most recent I-20 to the online request form, enter all required information, and submit. ISS will digitally sign page 2 and email your I-20 document to your CCA email address within 3 business days.

Travel signatures (on page 2 of your most recent I-20) are valid for one year while you are a currently enrolled student.

To see if you have a valid travel signature, look at the 'Travel Endorsement' section on page 2 of your I-20. Check for a signature from an ISS staff member and date it was signed.

If you need a new signature, please make an appointment with an ISS advisor or complete the ISS Travel Signature Request Form

Your F-1 visa must be valid on the day you re-enter the United States. If your visa will expire while you’re outside the United States, you will need to obtain a new F-1 visa before returning.

Allow for processing time at the US embassy/consulate when planning your travel. The US Department of State provides a list of estimated visa wait times for an appointment and visa processing time.

If you have an F-1 visa that is still valid in an expired passport, you do not need to get a new F-1 visa in your new passport. You can carry both passports when entering the US.

Canadian citizens do not need an F-1 visa stamp in their passports to enter the US. Canadian-landed immigrants, however, are required to obtain a visa stamp in their passports to document entry into the US in F-1 status.

You will not be allow to enter the United States if your passport has expired. Students are required to have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months at all times and beyond the date you plan to enter the United States.

Exception: The US may allow entry into the United States up until the date of expiration for specific countries. Check the “FAQ for F-1 Nonimmigrants” information on the ICE website for more information.