Travel Reminders for Winter Recess 2025
OIS would like to share several important reminders to help students maintain F-1 or J-1 status and plan travel during the winter recess.
The Office of International Services (OIS) would like to share several important reminders to help you maintain your F-1 or J-1 status and plan travel during the winter recess. Those traveling during winter recess are expected to return to the U.S. to attend in-person classes when the spring semester begins on Jan. 12, 2026. Students unable to return by this date due to visa delays should notify their academic advisor and fill out the askOIS Contact Form for guidance.
Before departing and reentering the U.S., review the following resources for the most current guidance. While international travel is permitted during scheduled university breaks, the university and OIS will continue to monitor government actions and policy updates to ensure students are informed.
Travel Signatures
A valid travel signature on your Form I-20 or DS-2019 is required to reenter the U.S., not to depart.
Travel signatures are valid for 12 months for enrolled students and six months for those on OPT and Academic Training (for J-1 students). Review the “Travel Endorsement” section on page 3 of your Form I-20 or DS-2019 to confirm if a new signature is needed. If you recently received a CPT I-20 or Academic Training for J-1 students, it already includes a valid travel signature.
To request a travel signature:
- Submit a Travel Signature Request via Trojan International
- Allow seven business days for processing.
- Electronically signed I-20s and DS-2019s will be emailed to your USC email account.
Documents Needed for Reentry to the U.S.
- Valid passport: Must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended reentry date.
- Valid F-1 or J-1 visa: Required for reentry (except for Canadian citizens). If your visa has expired, you must obtain a new one before returning to the U.S.
- Current I-20 or DS-2019 with travel signature: The travel signature must be less than 12 months old (six months for OPT participants).
- Financial documents: Proof of sufficient funds for tuition and living expenses (e.g., bank statements, scholarship or assistantship letters). Proof of funding may be requested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
- OPT or STEM OPT students must carry the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and a job offer letter or proof of ongoing employment.
Visa Renewal Considerations
Plan ahead, as any delays at U.S. embassies and consulates may affect your ability to return before the start of the spring semester. Additional administrative security clearances through the U.S. Department of State can extend processing times, so please take this into account before traveling.
- Check your visa: If your visa will expire before reentry, it must be renewed at a U.S. embassy or consulate located in either your country of citizenship or residence before returning to the U.S. (Canadian citizens are exempt from the visa requirement.)
- No renewals in the U.S.: Visa renewals cannot be completed inside the United States.
- Interview waiver policy update: The U.S. Department of State revised its interview waiver policy in February 2025, narrowing eligibility. Applicants may qualify for an interview waiver only if they are renewing a visa in the same category, and their previous visa is still valid or expired within the past 12 months. Consular officers may still require an in-person interview depending on local conditions or individual cases. Check your local U.S. embassy or consulate website for the most current information and appointment availability.
December 2025 Graduates
December graduates who have applied for OPT are strongly recommended to avoid international travel until they receive their Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Traveling before the EAD is approved and issued can delay reentry and may affect OPT eligibility. If travel is unavoidable, carry the I-797 Receipt Notice and all required documents for reentry.
