International scholars and employees who wish to travel outside the U.S. before returning to WashU should be aware of regulations concerning their re-entry into the U.S. It is your responsibility to be informed about these regulations.

There is never a guarantee that a new visa will be issued after expiration of a previously issued visa, or that you will be allowed to re-enter the country. The risk of being refused a visa or being denied entry to the U.S. should be weighed against your desire to continue academic or professional activities in the U.S.

Important Reminders:

Discuss your plans with OISS before traveling if you:

  • are filing a petition or have application pending with USCIS, discuss your plans with OISS before traveling.
  • have a pending or approved 212(e) home residence waiver (J-1 scholars).
  • will be outside the U.S. for more than 30 days.

Print and save your I-94 record each time you return to the U.S.

  • J-1 exchange visitors: I-94 record “admit until date” should be “D/S”
  • Employees in all other statuses (e.g. H-1B): I-94 record end date should match the end date of your I-797 approval notice

If your I-94 record end date does not match your approved program, contact OISS. After entering the U.S. and checking your new I-94, send a printout or screenshot of your I-94 record to OISS.

Before traveling, save digital copies and/or make photocopies of all documents. Lost or stolen documents are easier to replace with photocopies.

Leaving the U.S. while a change of status, an extension, an amendment or a change of employer petition is pending approval by USCIS may be considered abandonment of the petition or result in additional visa processing delays and employment disruption. 

Documents needed to re-enter the U.S.

You must have the following documents to enter the U.S. Remember to have these documents on your person, not in your checked luggage.

  • Current passport, valid at least six months after the date of your re-entry (unless your passport was issued by a country belonging to the “Six Month Club” and is exempt from the 6-month rule)
  • Valid visa stamp (Canadians are exempt from this requirement)
  • Form DS-2019 with valid travel signature for (for J-1s only)
    Complete and submit the J-1 Scholar Travel Signature Request online
  • Original Form I-797 Approval Notice (for H-1B, E-3 or O-1)
  • Recommended: letter from your department confirming program/employment
  • Recommended: copy of your H-1B petition (for H-1Bs only)

Entry through a land border

All scholars re-entering the U.S. via a land border must pre-apply and pay for the I-94 before traveling. Apply for an I-94 online. Read all information on the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website, click “I acknowledge and agree” and select the option for “via land or selected ferry” to receive your I-94. You need this I-94 for accurate records of your U.S. travel records and may need it for future status applications. Upon entry, ask the CBP officer to stamp your passport.

important note for tn scholars

TN scholars entering the U.S. via a land border must do so Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. Land ports do not process TN entries on Fridays or weekends.

Expired visas

If your visa stamp has expired or will expire before you return to the U.S., it must be renewed at a U.S. consular office abroad. Find the visa application process on our Obtaining a Visa webpage.

Dependent travel

Dependents applying for a visa will need to submit a copy of the main applicant’s Form I-797 Approval Notice or Form DS-2019, as well as documentation of the relationship to the scholar/employee (i.e., birth certificate, marriage certificate). Dependents will need to show their valid passports with valid visas in order to enter the U.S. (Canadians are exempt from the visa requirement).

Inviting family

Throughout your time at WashU, you may wish to invite family members to visit for short periods. Review the B Visitors / Visa Waiver Program page for information.