Travel

Contact us immediately if you have an emergency situation requiring you to leave the U.S. temporarily in the middle of your semester.
If you need to renew your entry visa, additional time will be required, since agencies outside the University will be involved. Please see the ISSC staff for assistance. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO RE-ENTER THE U.S. IN TOURIST STATUS.
See special concerns regarding renewal of visas subject to Administrative Processing/Security Clearance
If you have changed your visa status, you will need a new entry visa in the new status.

The most likely times for international students to travel, either inside or outside the U.S., are

For information on the dates for breaks and intersession, please see the Academic Calendar.

When taking a domestic travel, please take the following documents with you:

To travel outside the U.S. students in F-1 status, please prepare these documents to re-enter the U.S.:

passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of return
valid F-1 visa
I-20 with travel signature (valid for 12 months) - To obtain a travel signature, please complete the I-20/DS-2019 Reprint Request-eform.
Recommended: an unofficial transcript copy, proof of funding, proof of enrollment

If you are traveling outside the U.S. in J-1 status, please prepare these documents to re-enter the U.S.:

passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of return
valid J-1 visa
DS-2019 with travel signature (valid for 12 months) - To obtain a travel signature, please complete the I-20/DS-2019 Reprint Request-eform.
if applicable, approved Application/Authorization for Academic Training

If you plan to travel during the F-1 OPT period, please prepare these documents to re-enter the U.S.:

passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of return
valid F-1 visa
I-20 with travel signature (only valid for 6 months on OPT) - To obtain a travel signature, please complete the I-20/DS-2019 Reprint Request-eform.
EAD card
a letter from your employer verifying employment
proof of payment (called "pay stubs") by your employer in recent 6 week period

Note: We do not advise students awaiting approval of OPT to travel outside the U.S. Please consult the ISSC if you have special circumstances.

Citizens of some countries need visas to enter Canada, in addition to all your other paperwork for entering and studying in the U.S. http://www.cic.gc.ca/
Even if you have an expired entry visa, you may still travel to Canada, Mexico, and the adjacent islands and return to the U.S. by using Automatic Revalidation, as long as the rest of your documentation is current and your visit to those places is not longer than 30 days. Visit the Traveling To Canada link on the right.
IMPORTANT – If you are planning to use Automatic Revalidation, please visit the International Student & Scholar Center (ISSC) so we can review your paperwork before you travel.
Automatic Revalidation does not apply to citizens of Iran, Syria, and Sudan. Check for updates to this list.
Students who have been denied a visa renewal at a U.S. Consulate in Canada are not eligible to use Automatic Revalidation, but must return to their home country.
Find Out If You Need a Visa
Visa Office in New York
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