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 a passport that is valid for six months beyond your period of intended stay in the U.S. Please check the “Six-Month Club” list.  If your country of citizenship is on this list, then you may not be able to re-enter the U.S. if your passport does not meet this requirement.

2. Proof of your Immigration Status

• If you are in F-1 status: Your 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 U.S. 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)

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