Travel Outside the US & Re-entry

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: F-1 & J-1 students can request an electronic travel signature through iHawk under Student Services. Electronic travel signatures will be ready in 5-7 business days. You can also bring your I-20 or your DS-2019* to ISS for a physical travel signature. Your document will be ready for pick up after 2 business days.  

A travel signature on an I-20 indicates that a Designated School Official (DSO) at ISS has reviewed your enrollment history and confirmed that you are in valid F-1 status to the best of our knowledge, and that you are eligible to travel and re-enter the U.S. as an F-1 student attending KU. It DOES NOT guarantee re-entry to the U.S.

*Students with a DS-2019 issued by a sponsor other than KU will need to obtain the signature from their program sponsor noted in section #2 of the DS-2019.

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

Proof of Full-Time Enrollment: There are two different documents. Transcripts are usually the more complete option.

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-$65.00). 

Enrollment Certification. Order online(FREE). The “Self-Service” document does not show classes taken but indicates if you were full time or part time each semester.  You can use the “Form Request” to include more information such as GPA or Good Standing (fee applies for same day processing).. 

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 the initial 12 months of post-completion 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.  Students with a pending STEM OPT extension application should NOT travel outside the U.S. if the EAD is expired.

If the Initial 12 months of Post-Completion OPT is Pending

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

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.