Travel Outside the US & Re-entry

Valid visas carry less risk than expired or revoked visas. A visa is the sticker attached inside your passport that you received from the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.  It must be valid at the time of entry to the U.S. 

If you have had any encounter with law enforcement, it is recommended you check the email address used for your visa application to see if you have gotten notice about a visa revocation.  If your visa has been revoked, it is a high-risk factor that you could be denied entry to the U.S.  See Revoked Visas section below.

Expired visas carry more risk than unexpired visas. If your current visa has expired, you need to apply for and obtain a new visa while abroad before re-entering the U.S. Executive order 14161 requires embassies to do extreme vetting and screening of visa applicants.  Also see Automatic Extension of Visa Validity, Visa Applications and Extreme Vetting sections below.

If traveling to Canada, Mexico or Caribbean for 30 days or less, it may be possible to apply to re-enter the U.S. with an expired visa.  See ISS’s page on Travel to Canada, Mexico or Caribbean.  Also see the Revoked Visa section below.

Revoked visas carry high risk.  If you have had a visa revoked, it is recommended you consult an immigration attorney to understand the possible consequences.  The Secretary of State has authority to revoke a visa once it has been issued.   The Department of State sends notification to the email address used to apply for the visa.  Notification is not sent to schools. If a visa has been revoked, it is no longer valid (even if it has an expiration date in the future).  One would need to apply for a new visa.  Also see Visa Applications section below.

The Department of State Visa Status Tool may be helpful in determining if your visa has been revoked.  You will need your visa application ID number from the DS-160 visa application as well as your passport number and the location where you applied for your visa.  The tool will most likely indicate "issued" unless the visa has been revoked in which case it should say "revoked" and provide the date of the visa revocation.

Backlogs for visa appointments and delays in visa issuance are expected.   Visa applications often go through “Administrative Processing” while an application goes through additional background and security checks.  These can take weeks or longer and there is no way to expedite the process.  See also Extreme Vetting section below.

Although there has not been anything officially announced, there is strong speculation travel bans could be forthcoming, which could impact travelers from multiple countries.   Media is circulating a list which includes possible restrictions for travelers born in or citizens of the following countries:

• Afghanistan
• Belarus
• Bhutan
• Cuba
• Eritrea
• Haiti
• Iran
• Laos
• Libya
• Myanmar
• North Korea
• Pakistan
• Russia
• Sierra Leone
• Somalia
• South Sudan
• Sudan
• Syria
• Turkmenistan
• Venezuela
• Yemen

If travel bans are implemented there may not be much, if any, advance notice.  ISS will share details and anticipated impacts if and when travel bans should be announced. 

There is not an official list for reference, but some majors or areas of research will be subject to additional scrutiny for security reasons.  If the research is in any science area, especially an area which has potential for military applications, there is an increased risk.  

Prior or current military affiliations may be a risk factor to consider.

Executive Order 14161 directs federal agencies to vet and screen to the “maximum degree possible” individuals seeking admission to the U.S.  Vetting will happen at the time of visa application and at the port of entry.  We expect this to result in delays in obtaining visas and more people being sent to secondary inspection at the ports of entry.

Make a contingency plan if there are delays, especially if you are currently employed in the U.S.

The Department of Homeland Security has announced increased screening of social media.  Social media may be reviewed for “content that indicates an alien endorsing, espousing, promoting, or supporting antisemitic terrorism, antisemitic terrorist organizations, or other antisemitic or anti-American activity as a negative factor.”  Support for Foreign Terrorist Organizations is grounds for inadmissibility to U.S.

Any mention of marijuana use on social media can pose issues due to it being federally prohibited even though legal in some states.

At the port of entry, Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) has the right to search electronic devices for nonimmigrants, permanent residents and U.S. citizens.  See CBPs webpage on Border Search of Electronic Devices at Ports of Entry.  The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has information on Know Your Rights: Enforcement at the Airport

Any arrest, even without charges increases the risk level. If you have had any interaction with law enforcement, it is recommended you consult with an attorney to understand the risk factors.

Maintaining status lowers risks.  ISS provides tips on Maintaining F-1 Status and Maintaining J-1 Student Status.  This includes reporting a change of address within 10 days of the change in iHawk.

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.

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.

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

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.

This is required by law; although it is rarely requested.

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 $15.00-$61.00). 

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).

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.