If you are planning a trip within the United States or abroad, it is essential that you are properly informed regarding current requirements.
Travel Within the United States
Registration Requirements
U.S. law requires that all foreign nationals in the United States carry evidence of "registration" with them at all times. You are considered registered if you are in possession of at least one of the following: a valid passport with a U.S. visa stamp, a valid Form I-94, valid EAD (if applicable), or Permanent Resident Card, as well as some other documents. If you are an F-1 or J-1 student, we recommend that you carry copies of your passport, Form I-94, properly signed I-20 or DS-2019, EAD (if applicable), and CWRU ID card.
If you do not possess one of the above documents, you may be required to register. Significant penalties, including fines and imprisonment, may result from failure to register. The VISA Office recommends that students in this situation consult qualified immigration counsel.
For additional information and instructions on how to register, visit https://www.uscis.gov/alienregistration.
Travel Outside the United States
If you are planning foreign travel, be sure to check your Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 for a valid travel signature BEFORE YOU DEPART.
Travel signatures are valid for 12 months and are required to enter the United States. A student may use a single travel signature to return to the U.S. multiple times during that validity period. (Please note that travel signatures are only valid for six months when returning from Canada and when authorized for Optional Practical Training.) Be sure to check the validity of your travel signature before departing the U.S. to ensure a smoother reentry process.
If you need a new signature, you must submit a Travel Signature Request at least 3 weeks before your planned travel. Requests will be reviewed by a VISA Advisor and processed on a first-in, first-out basis in the timelines noted below unless students are contacted by a VISA Advisor about a specific issue.
For current F-1 and J-1 students, a VISA Advisor will reissue your Form I-20/DS-2019 with a travel signature within 5-7 business days. For alumni on OPT, your reissued I-20 will be available within 7-10 business days. When the signed Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 is ready, a VISA Advisor will send an you an email with instructions for accessing and printing the new form.
DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE. Please plan accordingly so that this process and your travel plans go as smoothly as possible. If you need to travel urgently before you are able to obtain an updated travel signature, we will do our best to work with you so that you have what you need to reenter the US.
If you are planning to visit somewhere other than your home country, you should determine current visa requirements for any country you wish to visit. A list of foreign embassies in the US is available at embassy.org. Information on visiting Canada is available here, and Mexico here.
Automatic Visa Revalidation
If you are traveling to Canada, Mexico, or an "adjacent island" for less than 30 days, you may be eligible to reenter the U.S. with an expired visa under the Automatic Revalidation provision. Visit the State Department website for additional information and eligibility criteria.
Entering the United States
Individuals seeking admission to the U.S. in F-1 or J-1 status while enrolled as full-time students at CWRU* must have:
- A passport or travel document valid for at least six months
- A valid F or J visa stamp**
- A valid, accurate, properly endorsed Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 with a current travel signature
Please be aware that there is never a guarantee that an individual in F or J status seeking reentry to the U.S. will be admitted, even if all of these criteria are met. Border officials have the authority to approve or deny entry to whomever they choose for reasons that may or may not be apparent.
*Students who have applied or have been authorized for post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) or STEM OPT should read about traveling under the F-1 employment sections here.
**If your visa stamp has expired or will expire before your planned return to the U.S., you must apply for a new visa at a U.S. consular post abroad; you cannot apply for a visa within the United States. The process should be the same as when you applied for a visa for the first time - visit the Obtaining a Visa section of our website - but it’s always a good idea to visit the Consulate’s website to review the process. Students who have properly maintained status do not have to pay a SEVIS fee to apply for a new visa.
Note that students who are Canadian citizens are not required to possess a valid visa to enter the U.S., but they must be in possession of a valid I-20 or DS-2019 with valid travel signature. Canadian citizens may not receive a new I-94, but may be admitted pursuant to their previously issued I-94. Please be sure to check your electronic I-94 after each entry to the U.S. to ensure it is accurate.
BE AWARE: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may search the contents of travelers’ electronic devices, such as mobile phones, tablets, and laptops. CBP may ask travelers to provide their device password or unlock it when entering or leaving the U.S. While U.S. citizens cannot be denied entry for refusing to provide passwords, noncitizens may run the risk of being denied entry if they refuse. Please visit the ACLU’s website for additional information on your rights when entering or leaving the United States.
After Reentry to the United States
All students and their dependents should check their electronic I-94 information online upon reentry to the U.S. and print a copy for their records. For Fs and Js, the Form I-94 should have an end date of “D/S,” meaning “duration of status.” This means that your stay in the U.S. is valid as long as you maintain your nonimmigrant status. Your status end date is indicated on the I-20 for Fs and the DS-2019 for Js.
If your I-94 is marked with a specific date rather than “D/S” or you notice any other incorrect information, please contact the VISA Office as soon as possible.
If you encounter any problems while traveling or reentering the U.S., please contact the VISA Office at 216.368.6964. If you are traveling outside of regular business hours, please call CWRU Public Safety at 216.368.3300 and they will reach out to a VISA Office staff member to assist you.