When you're traveling within the United States, we strongly recommend that you carry your passport, I-94, and a valid certificate of eligibility document (I-20, DS-2019, I-797).

You don't need to have a travel signature, and the visa stamp in your passport can be expired.

Before all international travel, please complete the travel information update e-form in ISSS Link.

At least 3 weeks before you travel outside the US, you should review our travel checklists and make sure you have all the documents you need. Check your passport and visa stamp to make sure they will be valid when you return to the US. 

If you need to get a new visa stamp while you're abroad, contact the US embassy or consulate to schedule an interview before you start your travels.

In general, you should bring:

• Passport valid at least 6 months past the date you'll return to the US
• Valid visa (except citizens of Canada and Bermuda)
• Valid certificate of eligibility (I-20, DS-2019, I-797)

If you're in F or J status, you'll need a valid travel signature on your I-20 or DS-2019. Once you have submitted a Travel Information Update e-form, ISSS staff will determine if you need a new travel signature and provide you with instructions on how to obtain the travel signature. If you need a new travel signature, a new I-20 or DS-2019 will be sent to you electronically. The US government no longer requires F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors to obtain original signatures (This also applies to their dependents). 

If you don't have all the required documentation, the US Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may deny your entry to the US.

International SOS (ISOS)

Emory contracts with International SOS (ISOS) to provide security and medical evacuation services, and a variety of health, safety, and security resources for the university community traveling abroad.  If you haven't, upload your itinerary before your departure. If your travel plans change during your trip, please upload your new itinerary in ISOS immediately for proper assistance.

Travel to Mexico, Canada, and Neighboring Islands

Travel to Canada, Mexico, and neighboring islands (except Cuba) is handled somewhat differently than travel to other countries.

You still have to carry your immigration document with a valid travel signature, but the entry visa can be expired. There is a special provision called automatic revalidation that allows certain international visitors with expired entry visas to make brief visits (less than 30 days) to Canada, Mexico, and the neighboring islands (for F and J visa holders only), then return to the US without applying for a new visa.

If you take a cruise to the Caribbean, when you return, make sure the customs officer enters your I-94 information. If an entry stamp hasn't been added to your passport, politely request one before you leave the booth.

Lost or Outdated Immigration Documents (I-20, DS-2019, Passport)

• If you are outside of the US and need a new travel signature on your document, fill out the Travel Information Update e-form in ISSS Link.
• You need a current I-20 or DS-2019 with a valid travel signature in order to enter the US. Make sure you don’t put your documents in your checked luggage.
• If you don’t have your I-20/DS-2019 with you or if the travel signature on your I-20/DS-2019 has expired, the CBP officer might issue you an I-515A, which allows you to enter the US for 30 days. Information about the I-515A >>
• If you are issued an I-515A, please meet with your ISSS advisor within two business days. If your I-515A is not handled in a timely manner, you will have to leave the US.
• If you lose your I-20 or DS-2019 while you are outside the US, log in to ISSS Link and fill out the I-20 or DS-2019 replacement request e-form so that ISSS can electronically send a replacement document to you before you travel back to the US.
• If you lose your passport outside the US, please contact your country's embassy as soon as possible to get a new passport. You should also contact the nearest US embassy to get a new visa.
• If you lose your passport while you're in the US, contact your home country’s embassy or consulate and ask for a replacement.

F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors must have a valid travel signature on their I-20 or DS-2019 to re-enter the US. To request a travel signature, please complete a Travel Information Update e-form in ISSS Link.

• If you're pursuing a degree, the signature is valid for one year. If you already have a travel signature on your document but it will be more than one year old when you will return to the US, you need to get a new signature.
• If you're on post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Academic Training (AT), the signature is valid for 6 months.

Once you have submitted a Travel Information Update e-form, ISSS staff will determine if you need a new travel signature and provide you with instructions on how to obtain the travel signature. If you need a new travel signature, a new I-20 or DS-2019 will be sent to you electronically. The US government no longer requires F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors to obtain original signatures (This also applies to their dependents).