Travel Outside the U.S.

Passport:  Generally, the passport must be valid at least 6 months into the future from the date of entry into the U.S. at the time of entry.

Visa:  You must have a valid visa for the appropriate category (F-1, J-1, etc.) at the time of entry to the U.S.  If your visa has expired or is for a different category, you will need to apply for a new visa.  A visa cannot be obtained from within the U.S.  See Applying for a New Visa section below.

I-20 or DS-2019: Your I-20/DS-2019 should be valid and all information such as major, program level, financial source and expiration date is current.

Travel Signature:  You will need to leave your KU I-20 or DS-2019 at ISS for 2 business days.  (If dropped off Friday, it can be picked up Tuesday)  If KU is not your J-1 program sponsor (listed in #2 of DS‑2019), you will need to mail it to your sponsor (e.g. IIE, Fulbright, LASPAU, ACTR) to get a travel signature.

Proof of Finances:   This is required by law; although it is rarely requested.

Proof of Full-Time Enrollment:  

Transcript. Order from the Registrar’s office. This is an official record of your academic record listing all classes taken, grades received and future enrollment. It also includes the number of transfer credit hours accepted by KU, your degree level and major. Usually required for visa applications. Usually required for visa applications (fees vary from $12.00-$50.00). 

Enrollment Certification. Order online. The document does not show classes taken but indicates if you were full time or part time each semester.  You can request the following information to be included:  Term GPA, Cumulative GPA, Number of Credit Hours, if in Good Academic Standing and Anticipated Date of Graduation (fees vary from FREE to $20.00). 

SEVIS Fee Receipt: Most of the time the SEVIS database will accurately have a record of SEVIS fee payment; however, it is recommended you carry a copy of your receipt as verification of payment in the rare circumstance that it is not in SEVIS.  This may be more important for people trying to regain legal status with a new I-20/DS-2019 or individuals changing their status to F-1 or J-1 through travel. SEVIS fee website.

Transit Visas: If you are passing through other countries, contact the Embassy of those countries to verify if you need a transit visa.

If traveling with you or separately, they need a valid passport, visa and I-20 or DS-2019 with current travel signature.

Travel out of the U.S. while waiting for OPT approval is not advised unless you have a job offer and you have a way of getting the EAD should the OPT be approved while you are overseas.  

If the OPT is Pending

OPT Receipt
Passport
F-1 visa
I-20 with a recent travel signature

*STEM OPT Pending: Do not travel outside the United States if your EAD is expired and the STEM OPT extension request is pending.  Wait until you receive the new EAD.

Once OPT is Approved

OPT EAD (Employment Authorization Document)
Proof of Employment (i.e. job offer or recent paycheck stub)
Passport
F-1 Visa
I-20 with a travel signature within the last six months

• If your F-1 visa has expired you will need to apply for a new one while abroad if you plan to return to the U.S. to continue with OPT.  It is sometimes more difficult to obtain an F-1 student visa while on OPT since you have already completed your degree and you are only returning to work.  In addition, all new visas require a security check that could take time.  Please carefully consider these risks before traveling outside the U.S.
• If traveling to Canada, Mexico or adjacent (Caribbean) islands for less than 30-days, automatic revalidation may be a possibility and a need for a new visa may not apply. 

Department of Homeland Security - Traveling as an International Student

ACLU - Can Border Agents Search Your Electronic Devices?