Office of International Services
  • Travel
  • Requirements for Reentry

Requirements for Reentry

Students and scholars may travel internationally during scheduled university breaks. However, international travel remains fluid, and new restrictions could arise at any time. Students and scholars returning to the United States after a temporary break should ensure they have the required documents to reenter the country.

In addition, per U.S. Department of State regulations, J-1 scholars are not permitted to travel outside of the United States for more than 30 days at a time.

Before departing and reentering the United States, students should review our travel pages carefully and refer to We Are USC’s FAQ on executive orders and other federal agency actions impacting immigration.

    1. Passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of reentry to the United States.
    2. Valid F-1 or J-1 visa in passport (except for Canadian citizens). If your visa has expired, you must apply for a new one before returning to the United States.
    3. Current Form I-20 or DS-2019 with a valid travel signature from OIS. The travel signature is valid for 12 months for enrolled students and six months for those on OPT. Make sure you hand-sign page 1 of the printed Form I-20 or DS-2019. You may not electronically sign I-20s or DS-2019s.
    4. Financial support documents such as bank statements, scholarship and/or assistantship letters. You may be asked to show proof of funding at the port of entry.
    1. USC acceptance letter (F-1 or J-1 students) or invitation letter (J-1 scholars)
    2. Paper receipt of Form I-901 SEVIS fee payment
    3. Copy of USC transcript and/or proof of course registration (F-1 or J-1 students only)
    4. Contact information for OIS

    Remember, upon reentry to the United States, students should print out their I-94 Arrival/Departure Record.

F-1 Students With Post-Completion OPT or STEM OPT Extension Pending With USCIS

  • Filing for Post-Completion OPT does not affect students’ ability to travel internationally and return to the United States before their I-20 program end date (i.e., graduation date). Prior to the graduation date, the student is a current student for travel purposes. 

    Students are strongly advised against traveling internationally after their I-20 program end date until they have received their Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

  • Filing for STEM OPT Extension does not affect students’ ability to travel internationally and return to the United States before their Post-Completion OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD) end date. Before the OPT EAD end date, the student is on approved OPT for travel purposes. 

    Students are strongly advised against traveling internationally after their OPT EAD end date until they have received their STEM OPT EAD. If travel is unavoidable, students must travel with their I-797 Notice of Receipt and all other required documents listed below. Students are encouraged to consult with an OIS advisor before traveling internationally while an OPT or STEM OPT Extension application is pending.

    1. Passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of reentry to the United States
    2. Valid F-1 visa in passport (except students from Canada)
    3. OPT/STEM OPT I-20 with a valid travel signature from OIS
    4. I-797 Notice of Receipt
    5. Expired OPT Employment Authorization Document (STEM OPT only)
    6. Proof of employment (STEM OPT only)
    7. Proof of sufficient funds for living expenses in the United States

    Remember, upon reentry to the United States, students should print out their I-94 Arrival/Departure Record.

F-1 Students With Post-Completion OPT or STEM OPT Extension Approved by USCIS

    1. Passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of reentry to the United States
    2. Valid F-1 visa in passport (except students from Canada)
    3. OPT/STEM OPT I-20 with a valid travel signature from OIS
    4. Valid Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
    5. Proof of current employment or offer letter (if currently employed)
    6. Proof of sufficient funds for living expenses in the United States

    Remember, upon reentry to the United States, students should print out their I-94 Arrival/Departure record.

A signed Form I-20 or DS-2019 is not required to depart the United States; however, international students and scholars who are reentering the United States must have a valid travel signature on their Form I-20 or DS-2019. 

Only Designated School Officials (F-1) or Alternate Responsible Officers (J-1) at OIS are permitted to sign the Form I-20 or DS-2019 for travel.

  • Continuing Students/Scholars

    The signature on page 2 or 3 of the Form I-20, or on the bottom-right corner of page 1 of the Form DS-2019, is valid for 12 months. If your reentry date to the United States is within 12 months from the last signature, you will be eligible to reenter on that Form I-20 or DS-2019. However, if you reenter after the 12-month time frame, a new travel signature is required.

    F-1 Students on Post-Completion OPT or STEM OPT Extension

    The signature on pages 2 or 3 of the OPT I-20 is valid for six months from the date of signing. If your reentry date is within six months of the last signature, you will be eligible to reenter on that Form I-20. However, if you reenter after the six-month time frame, a new travel signature is required.

    J-1 Short-Term Scholars

    Travel signatures are valid for six months or until the end of the program — whichever is sooner.

  • Students or scholars who need a travel signature should request one from OIS prior to their departure from the United States, if possible. A travel signature request takes seven business days to process. Please arrange your travel and reentry plans accordingly.

    F-1 Students

    To request a travel signature, the student must submit a Travel Signature I-20 Request. 

    The Form I-20 will be signed electronically and emailed to the student’s USC account. Students must hand-sign page 1 of the printed Form I-20. You may not electronically sign I-20s. 

    J-1 Students and Scholars

    To request a travel signature, the exchange visitor must complete the Student Travel Signature Request or Scholar Travel Signature Request. 

    The DS-2019 will be signed electronically and emailed to the exchange visitor’s USC account. Please note that exchange visitors are not permitted to sign the DS-2019 electronically. 

    J-2 Dependents

    OIS will automatically include travel endorsements for all J-2 records on file with the J-1 exchange visitor’s request.

  • If you forgot to get your Form I-20 or DS-2019 endorsed for travel, you may enter the United States on an I-515A. 

    The I-515A is a document that allows students and scholars to reenter the United States for a temporary stay of 30 days. If you do not have a valid travel signature, you will likely be issued this form by the U.S. Port of Entry officer.

    Since the I-515A is a temporary stay document, it is important to contact OIS immediately upon arrival to fix your status to F-1 or J-1 D/S. 

    Entering on an I-515A may cause some delays at the port of entry.

Entering the United States