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Center for International Education

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Student Services » Immigration Information » Traveling While Studying in the U.S.


Traveling While Studying in the U.S.

Traveling Outside the U.S.

In order to re-enter the U.S., you must have these documents with you:

  • Valid Passport
  • Valid F-1 Visa
  • Valid I-20

Note: If you are on authorized OPT, you must have a valid Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and an employment letter.

What to do if your F-1 visa is still valid:

You will need to submit a request for a travel signature to CIE at least two weeks prior to your travel. CIE must certify certain information before we can sign or issue a new I-20 for travel. You must clear all university holds before CIE can sign your I-20.

What to do if your F-1 visa is expired:

You will need to submit a request for a new I-20 to obtain a new F-1 visa. You must turn in this request with new financial documents proving you have enough funds for 12 months for your stay here (certain exceptions apply). You need to turn this request in at least two weeks prior to your travel. Once this new I-20 is issued, you will take it with you to apply for a new visa at the U.S. Embassy.

Travel to Canada, Mexico and adjacent islands (except Cuba)

The Department of State allows for the benefit of "Automatic Revalidation of Visa." Under this rule, F-1 students (please note exceptions below) are permitted to re-enter the U.S. after a 30-day or less visit to “contiguous territory ” without having to obtain a new visa prior to re-entry (i.e. Canada, Mexico, and adjacent islands other than Cuba). In this situation, you would not give up your I-94 when you travel. You will need your I-94 to re-enter the U.S.

Exceptions:

  • Citizens from Iraq, Iran, Syria, Libya, Sudan, North Korea, and Cuba are not eligible for the automatic revalidation of visa benefit.
  • If you choose to apply for a new visa while in a contiguous territory, you will not be eligible for automatic revalidation of visa benefit. You will have to wait until the visa is granted in order to re-enter the U.S. If your visa is denied, you must leave to return to your home country from the contiguous territory.

Traveling Inside the U.S.

While in Knoxville you should keep your documents in a safe place. If traveling outside Knoxville take the original immigration documents and your passport with you.