ISSS Home > Immigration and Visa > Travel and Re-entry > Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe or Latin America

Travel to Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe or Latin America and Re-Entry to the United States

(Excluding travel to & re-entry from Canada, Mexico & Caribbean Islands)

What Documents Do I Need to Re-enter the U.S.?

1. An unexpired passport

You may be required to have at least six months' validity remaining on your passport. Please check the “Six-Month Club” list to see if your country of citizenship is on this list. If it is not on this list, then you must have at least six months' validity remaining before the expiration date of your passport in order to re-enter the U.S.

2. Proof of your Immigration Status

• If you are in F-1 status: Your SEVIS I-20 with a DSO signature on page 3 that is less than one year old
• If you are in J-1 status: Your DS-2019 with a travel signature that is less than one year old
• If you are in H-1B status: Your unexpired Form I-797 Approval Notice

3. An unexpired U.S. Visa Stamp

If your U.S. visa stamp has expired, please see “Applying for a Visa”

If you are a student, we recommend that you also carry the following documents:

• Proof of enrollment (transcripts, class schedule printout)
• Proof of funding (photocopies of your assistantship or the financial documentation you provided for the issuance of your I-20, etc.)

Frequently Asked Immigration and Visa Questions

What if I am an F-1 student on Optional Practical Training?

If you are on post-completion Optional Practical Training, you must have the following documents in addition to the above required documents:

• Your Employment Authorization Document (your EAD card)
• Job offer letter or letter confirming current employment

What if I am a J-1 student on Academic Training?

In addition to the above required documents, we recommend that you carry a letter from your employer, verifying your academic training employment.

I've changed my immigration status since I entered the U.S. Now, my status is different from my visa stamp. Do I need to apply for a new U.S. visa stamp to re-enter the U.S.?

YES. You need to get a new visa stamp from a U.S. Consulate. Your visa stamp must be valid and must match your current status in order for you to re-enter the U.S.

If you traveled ONLY to Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean Islands, you may not need a new visa stamp. Please read “Re-entering the U.S. from Canada” to confirm this.

What documents does my dependent need to travel and re-enter the U.S.?

Your dependent spouse or minor children should carry the following documents in order to re-enter the U.S.:

1. Valid passport
2. Valid U.S. visa stamp
3. Valid dependent Form I-20, DS-2019 or H-4 approval notice (if applicable)
4. Photocopy of your documents (your passport, visa and I-94 AND your I-20, DS-2019 or H-1B approval notice)
5. Proof of financial funding
6. Photocopy of spouse’s Employment Authorization Document (EAD card) and letter of employment (if spouse is on Optional Practical Training)

02/07