Any time an F-1 student in Active status travels abroad, they must present documents confirming their continued F-1 status upon re-entering the U.S. One of the required documents, the I-20, must have a travel authorization signature on page 2 provided by an F-1 Advisor from the International Student Services Office, which confirms the student has been maintaining valid F-1 status prior to their international travel.
To request a travel authorization signature, students can either submit an ISS Request form on our website at least 2 weeks before their planned departure from the U.S. to receive an updated I-20 via email, or they can bring their current I-20 to our office to receive the signature in-person. Our office is located on the second floor of the Gayley Center, 1145 Gayley Ave., and international advisors are available Monday through Thursday from 8am to 5pm to sign I-20s in-person.
During your studies, the travel authorization signature is valid for multiple re-entries into the U.S. for one year from the date of the signature on page 2 of the I-20, or until the end of the study program (whichever comes first). During OPT, the signature is valid for multiple re-entries within 6 months of the signature date or until OPT ends (whichever comes first). Students who were previously issued an I-20 with a travel signature that has not yet expired do not need to request a new travel signature each time they travel, only when the previous one is nearing its expiration date.
During re-entry travel to the U.S., students actively studying will need to present the following documents:
- Printed out I-20 with 3 signatures – one from the student on page 1, and two DSO signatures from the ISS office. DSO signatures can be digital or original, however students must sign and date the Student Attestation section on page 1 by hand in black or blue pen.
- Unexpired U.S. F-1 Visa
- Unexpired passport with at least 6 months validity remaining before expiration
Additionally, students re-entering the U.S. following OPT approval must also be prepared to present:
- Their EAD work authorization card
- Proof of employment (contract with the employer, emails from employer confirming employment, etc.) If the student is not currently employed, they must not have exceeded 90 days of unemployment during active OPT.