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F-1 International Travel

Traveling Internationally as an F-1 Student

Planning to travel outside the United States? Before you go, take a moment to check that your immigration documents are valid and ready for your return. When you reenter the U.S., you should be prepared to present the following documents to a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer:

  • Valid passport: Your passport should be valid for at least six (6) months beyond your planned date of reentry. Students from certain countries may qualify for an exception under a passport validity agreement.
  • Valid F-1 visa: Your F-1 visa must be valid when you reenter the U.S. If your visa has expired, you will need to apply for a new visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country before returning.
  • Travel-endorsed Form I-20: Make sure your I-20 has a valid travel signature from an ISSS Advisor (DSO). The signature must be less than 12 months old for currently enrolled students or less than 6 months old for students on Post-Completion OPT. Make sure that your I-20 reflects the academic plan (major/program of study) that you are pursuing. If you officially change your academic plan, you will need to request an update I-20 stating the new academic plan through the ISSS portal.
  • Always check the program completion date on your I-20 (under item 5). If the completion date is approaching and you do not expect to complete your program by that date, visit ISSS for information on requesting a program extension.

Helpful Documents to Carry

Additional documentation that is not required but recommended:

  • Proof of financial support
  • Proof of student status, such as a transcript or full-time enrollment letter

Traveling While on Post-Completion OPT

If you are traveling while on Post-Completion OPT, be sure to also carry your:

  • Unexpired Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
  • Job offer letter or proof of employment

Please note that entry into the U.S. is never guaranteed and will always be at the discretion of the Customs and Border Protection (CPB) official at the port of entry.

Things to Keep in Mind
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  • New Admit Until Date (AUD) for F-1 Students

    Update as of 9/14/2026 at 6:00 p.m.: A nationwide preliminary injunction was issued, postponing the effective date of the final rule. The new rule will NOT go into effect on September 15, 2026.  We'll continue to update this page as new information becomes available.

    Beginning September 15, 2026, F-1 students returning to the United States may be admitted for a fixed period of time based on the Program End Date listed on their Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, or up to four years from the date of entry, whichever is shorter. Students will also have a 30-day period for departure after their period of admission ends.

    When you enter the United States, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will provide you with an Admit Until Date (AUD). Your AUD will be recorded on your Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, which you can access through the Form I-94 website.

    Is my AUD different from my Program End Date?

    Your AUD and Program End Date are not necessarily the same. The AUD generally includes additional time after your program or authorized employment ends.

    Typically:

    • Programs lasting less than four years: Your AUD will be based on the Program End Date listed on your Form I-20, plus 30 days for departure.
    • Programs lasting four years or longer: Your AUD will be based on the Program End Date listed on your Form I-20 or four years from your date of entry, whichever is shorter, plus an additional 30-day departure period.
    • Students participating in Optional Practical Training (OPT): Your AUD will generally be the employment end date listed on your Employment Authorization Document (EAD), plus 30 days for departure.
    • Students approved for an Extension of Stay (EOS) or Change of Status to F-1: You can find your AUD on the Form I-94 attached to your Form I-797A, Notice of Action.

    It is important to check your AUD after each entry to the United States. F-1 students may not remain in the United States beyond their AUD unless they take appropriate action to maintain their immigration status. Before your AUD expires, you must either depart the United States or take the necessary steps to maintain your status.

    If you have questions about your AUD, Form I-20, or maintaining your F-1 status, please contact our office.

  • Visa renewal

    If your F-1 visa stamp has expired or you did a Change of Status to F-1 while in the U.S., and you plan to travel internationally, you will need to obtain a new visa from a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country before returning.

    Please note that a valid F-1 visa (stamp in passport) is NOT necessary while inside the U.S.  The visa serves as a port of entry document only. Because visa renewals are not guaranteed, please consult with ISSS or an immigration attorney before traveling internationally to renew your visa.

    At the time of application for visa renewal, an F-1 student should have with them a valid passport, a current I-20, proof of funding, current school transcripts (you may or may not be asked to present these) and any required forms, fees, and photographs. Be advised that fees and procedures for visa renewal may vary by consulate and by country of citizenship of the applicant. Be sure to check for specific requirements with the embassy or local consulate at which you plan to apply. You can also visit the U.S. Department of State website for more information.

  • Students traveling abroad to restart F-1 Status

    If you are currently out of status and plan to travel internationally, please consult with an ISSS advisor before traveling for guidance on immigration compliance. To reenter the U.S. in F-1 status, you will need a new I-20 issued for “Initial Attendance” under a new SEVIS ID number even if you have a valid F-1 visa stamp in your passport. Once you receive the new I-20, you will have to pay the SEVIS (I-901) fee before using the I-20 for reentry. Your new I-20 will show a future program start date. You will need to reenter the U.S. no more than 30 days before your new program start date.

    If you are restarting F-1 status in the summer term (i.e. your I-20 is issued with a summer term program start date), you are required to enroll full-time for the summer term. For undergraduate students, this means enrollment in at least 12 undergraduate-level credit hours, and for graduate students, this means enrollment in at least 9 graduate-level credit hours.

    After you reenter the U.S., you must complete the Check-In process through the ISSS Portal. As part of the check-in process, you will need to retrieve your I-94 admission record and upload it to the Portal. This allows ISSS to document your reentry and activate the restart of your F-1 status.

  • Students approved a Change of Status to F-1 in the U.S.

    If you changed your status to F-1 while in the U.S. and plan to travel internationally, you will need to obtain an F-1 visa from a U.S. consulate or embassy in your home country before reentering the U.S. Please be reminded that a Change of Status approval does NOT guarantee an approval of a visa application at a U.S. Consulate. Various factors (e.g. length of stay in the U.S. from the date of Change of Status approval, ties to your home country, any family members living in the U.S.) may affect your visa application. It is recommended that you meet with an ISSS advisor before traveling abroad.