International students in F-1 or J-1 immigration status 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, especially given the development of enhanced national security procedures.

Documents needed to re-enter the U.S.

  • Current passport, valid at least six (6) 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 F-1 or J-1 visa stamp (Canadians are exempt from this requirement)
  • SEVIS Form I-20 or DS-2019 with a valid travel signature (can be electronic signature) endorsed by OISS; Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials will need to see your printed paper I-20 or DS-2019 with a valid travel signature for re-entry to the U.S.

Important Reminders:

Remember to print and save your I-94 record each time you return to the U.S. Visit CBP’s website to print your I-94 record.

Before traveling, save digital copies and/or make photocopies of all documents: passport, visa stamp, I-20 or DS-2019. Lost or stolen documents are easier to replace with photocopies.

Remember you can always access your I-20 or DS-2019 from the “Requests & Documents” section of your MyOISS account.

Request a ‘travel signature’ on your I-20 or DS-2019

To submit an I-20 Reprint or DS-2019 Reprint request for travel, follow these steps:

  • Log into the MyOISS platform.
  • Go to section #4 “Requests & Documents” on the far right.
  • Scroll down to find the appropriate request: “Reprint I-20” or “Reprint DS-2019.”
  • List “travel” as reason in the request.
  • Complete and submit the request.
  • You will receive an email notifying you when your I-20 or DS-2019 reprint with travel signature is ready to access and print from the portal. Note that the DSO/ARO adviser travel signature can be electronic. Processing time is within 5 business days. Remember that you must still physically sign your I-20 or DS-2019.

Required re-entry documents for students on OPT/STEM OPT

Students on OPT must carry the following when traveling abroad to re-enter the U.S.:

  • SEVIS Form I-20 with valid travel signature (can be electronic signature) within the last six months
  • Valid F-1 visa stamp inside passport
  • Current passport, valid at least six months into the future
  • Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card (Note: All EAD cards say ‘not valid for reentry.’ This means that the card alone does not guarantee re-entry, but that you must also carry the I-20 and passport with valid visa.)
  • If you are or will be employed, we recommend that you carry your offer letter as proof of employment.

F-2 dependents of F-1 students on OPT/STEM OPT should carry photocopies of their spouse’s EAD card and employment offer letter, in addition to the F-2 Form I-20 (with valid travel signature), valid F-1 visa stamp, and current passport.

Travel signature validity

Continuing F-1/J-1 students:

The signature on page 2 of the I-20 or on the center right of page 1 of the DS-2019 is valid for 12 months. If your re-entry date to the U.S. is within 12 months from the last signature, you will be eligible to re-enter with that I-20/DS-2019. However, if the signature on your I-20 or DS-2019 will be more than one year old by the time you re-enter the U.S., then a new travel signature is required.

F-1 students on OPT/STEM OPT:

The signature on page 2 of the OPT I-20 is valid for 6 months from when it was signed. If your re-entry date is within 6 months from the last signature, you are eligible to re-enter with that I-20. However, if you re-enter after the 6-month time frame, a new travel signature is required.

J-1 students on Academic Training & J-1 short term scholars:

Travel signatures are valid for 6 months or until the end of program, whichever is sooner.

Expired visas

If your F-1 or J-1 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-20 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 as a student at WashU, you may wish to invite family members to visit for short periods. Often students wish to invite their families for big events such as graduation. Review the B Visitors / Visa Waiver Program page for information.