International Student Services
International Division

TRAVEL

All options for getting an updated travel signature can be found on the “Get a Travel Signature” page.

If you plan to travel back home, to another country, or even inside the U.S., you should plan ahead. Remember, your entry into the U.S. is the decision of Customs and Border Protection (CBP). You should always travel with the following documents.

Please monitor world news to stay updated on current events that may affect your travel plans. If your travel is sponsored by UW–Madison, you must follow the university’s travel policies.

ISS recommends that you carry copies of your immigration documents with you at all times.

You can find copies of your passport, visa, and I-20s in Terra Dotta, but we also recommend that you save photos of your passport, visa, most recent I-20, and most recent I-94 record as photos on your phone, or keep paper copies in your wallet.

 

Questions related to impacts on travel? Review the FAQ here.

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Passport Valid for 6 Months Into the Future

Your passport should be valid for at least six months into the future at all times. There are exceptions for some countries, but it is still recommended that you take steps to renew your passport in your home country or at a foreign consulate in the U.S.

F-1 or J-1 Student Visa

You must have a valid F-1 or J-1 student visa to reenter the U.S. Your visa can expire while you are inside the U.S. maintaining valid F-1 or J-1 student status. Also check the number of entries your visa is valid for (M=multiple).

You cannot renew your F-1 or J-1 visa inside the U.S.

Visa Example with end date and entries

Valid I-20 or DS-2019 with Travel Endorsement

You must carry your most recently issued I-20/DS-2019 with you when you travel outside of Madison. A valid travel signature from ISS is required.

Current I-94 Record

You are issued a new I-94 after each entry to the U.S., so it is necessary to retrieve your most recent I-94 upon your reentry.

Enrollment Verification or Transcript

It is recommended that you carry your  enrollment verification letter or transcript that shows past, current, and future enrollment. This helps to prove your maintenance of legal F-1 or J-1 student visa status.

Proof of SEVIS I-901 Payment

Carry the receipt for your current SEVIS ID number.

Financial Documentation

It is recommended that you carry your most recent financial documentation that matches the funding on your I-20/DS-2019. This is required if applying for an F-1/J-1 visa.

Domestic Travel

While in Madison, international students should carry their UW student ID and copies of their immigration documents. Whenever traveling outside of Madison, international students should carry their passport/visa, most recent I-20, and their most recent I-94. 

If you forget your documents, you might face delays at the U.S. port of entry. CBP may send you to secondary inspection if they are not immediately able to verify your information. You may be able to kindly request a Form I-515A that will allow you to temporarily reenter the U.S.

If you have all of your documents each time you enter the U.S., but you are always sent to secondary inspection, you should file for a DHS redress number far in advance of your next planned travel outside the U.S.

Know Your Rights: What to Do if You are Detained at a Port of Entry (F & J visa holders). This document is provided by the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) New England Chapter, and does not constitute legal advice.

Get a Travel Signature

You must have a valid travel signature on your I-20/DS-2019 before you can re-enter the U.S. You should re-enter with your most recent document. Remember, it must be signed by you and ISS, preferably in blue ink. Travel signatures are valid for multiple entries. NOTE: Customs and Border Protection (CBP) determines if you can enter the U.S. Be prepared with the required travel documents!

  • Step 1: Review Your Document
    • Check if you have a valid signature. You should request a new travel signature if you plan to renew your visa
      • Page 2 of your I-20
      • Current students: signature if valid for 1 year
  • Step 2: Check Your Eligibility
    • Make sure you are eligible for a travel signature.
      • Enrolled full-time or have an approved reduced course load from ISS
      • Eligible to enroll next semester, unless you are completing your academic program this semester.
        • Plan to enroll at UW–Madison next semester
        • Plan to apply for post-completion OPT
      • Have a valid F-1 status
      • Not in your 60 day grace period
  • Step 3: Getting Your New Travel Signature
    • Option 1: Go to the ISS office in person and drop off your most recent I-20/DS-2019 for our office to process your travel signature within 1 business day.
    • Option 2: If you cannot come into the office in person, request a reprint of your document to receive a valid travel signature. Apply through Terra Dotta. Processing times are at a maximum of 15 business days.
  • Step 1: Review Your Document
    • Check if you have a valid signature. You should request a new travel signature if you plan to renew your visa
      • The bottom right section of your DS-2019
      • All J-1 students: signature is valid for 1 year or until the end of your program (whichever comes sooner)
  • Step 2: Check Your Eligibility 
    • Your DS-2019 program sponsor is UW–Madison
      • If you have a different program sponsor on page 1, section 2 of your DS-2019, contact that sponsor for a travel signature.
    • You are enrolled full-time, or have an approved reduced course load or post-completion Academic Training
    • You will enroll at UW–Madison next semester, or you will apply/have been approved for post-completion Academic Training
    • You are in valid J-1 status
    • You are not in your 30 day grace period
  • Step 3: Getting Your New Travel Signature 
    • Option 1: Go to the ISS office in person and drop off your most recent I-20/DS-2019 for our office to process your travel signature within 1 business day.
    • Option 2: If you cannot come into the office in person, request a reprint of your document to receive a valid travel signature. Apply through Terra Dotta. Processing times are at a maximum of 15 business days.
  • Step 1: Review Your Document
    • Check if you have a valid signature. You should request a new travel signature if you plan to renew your visa
      • Page 2 of your I-20
      • Your travel signature is valid for 6 months
  • Step 2: Check Your Eligibility
  • Step 3: Getting Your New Travel Signature
    • Option 1: Go to the ISS office in person and drop off your most recent I-20/DS-2019 for our office to process your travel signature within 1 business day.
    • Option 2: If you cannot come into the office in person, request a reprint of your document to receive a valid travel signature. Apply through Terra Dotta. Processing times are at a maximum of 15 business days.
  • Review Steps 1 and 2 above to check your eligibility.
    • Returning in Less Than 2 Weeks
      • STEP 1: Review your document – You need to have a valid travel signature on your most recent I-20 or DS-2019. If you do not, continue to step 2.
      • STEP 2: Request a Form I-515A at the US immigration crossing
        • If you must re-enter the U.S. in less than 2 weeks, request that the officer at the US immigration crossing allow you to enter with Form I-515A.The U.S. border official has the discretion to grant or deny the Form I-515A. If granted, this form gives you a 30 day admission as an F-1 or J-1 student into the US. You are required to report to ISS within those 30 days to secure a travel signature. 
        • To qualify for the Form I-515A, you must have a valid passport, valid F-1 or J-1 visa, and your I-20 or DS-2019. The officer may allow you to enter without your I-20 or DS-2019 at their discretion.
    • Returning More Than 3 Weeks into the Future
      • STEP 1: Review your document – You need to have a valid travel signature on your most recent I-20 or DS-2019. If you do not, continue to step 2.
      • STEP 2: Submit a I-20/DS-2019 Reprint Request Form
    • STEP 3: Select your preferred mailing option ISS will email you when your new document is ready. ISS will always provide a scanned copy of your I-20/DS-2019 in Terra Dotta. The email will include mailing options, or the option to authorize a friend to pick up your document. 

Renew/Replace Your Documents

Some of your immigration documents can be renewed or replaced from inside the U.S. Others can only be issued outside the U.S. For example, F-1 or J-1 visas can only be issued outside the U.S.

ISS can advise and, in some cases, assist with replacing lost or stolen documents such as your I-20/DS-2019. If any of your documents are ever stolen at any time, please contact ISS and local police immediately. 

Submit copies to ISS anytime you update or replace your passport or visa.

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Passport

Expiring Passport

  • You are required to have a valid passport at all times! 
    • It is recommended that your passport be valid for at least 6 months into the future at all times.
  • Renew your passport if it will expire within one year
  • Contact your home country’s agency that is responsible for issuing passports to renew or update your passport.
    • If you are not traveling to your home country, contact your country’s embassy or consulate in the U.S.
  • If your valid F-1 or J-1 visa stamp is in your old passport, you must travel with both passports.
    • Submit a copy of your new passport identity page to ISS. Email a copy of it to: iss@iss.wisc.edu so ISS can update your records.
  • If you have changed your legal name or other biographical information, you may be issued a new I-20/DS-2019.

Stolen or Lost Passport

    • Report the loss of your passport to the local police.Get a copy of the police report.Contact ISS by sending an information request to your ISS advisor if your passport was lost or stolen. 
  • Lost/Stolen Outside the U.S.
    • You must apply for a new F-1/J-1 visa at the nearest U.S. consulate after you get your replacement passport.
  • Lost/Stolen Inside the U.S.
    • You must get a new F-1/J-1 visa next time you travel internationally.

Remember, you can remain in the U.S. without a valid F-1/J-1 visa as long as your passport, I-20/DS-2019, and I-94 are valid.

F-1/J-1 Visa

You cannot apply for a new U.S. visa inside the U.S.!

When to apply for a new visa 

  • Your visa is expired and plan to travel internationally
  • You were approved for a change of status within the U.S.
  • You must apply at a  U.S. consulate or embassy outside of the U.S. 
  • You can remain in the U.S. with an expired F or J visa IF:
    • Your passport, I-20 (or EAD card) or DS-2019, and I-94 are valid.
  • If you are traveling to Canada, Mexico, or an adjacent Caribbean island (except Cuba), you may not need a new F or J visa to re-enter the U.S.

How to apply 

  • Visit the website of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate you plan to apply at. 
  • Review information on how to make a visa appointment, and to check on visa wait times where you plan to apply.
    •  If you have applied for a visa and have been waiting for more than one month for the results of a security advisory opinion, please contact ISS.
  • It is always recommended to apply at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country (your country of citizenship or permanent residence).
  • Plan in advance. You may experience unexpected delays. It is recommended that you apply for a visa 2-3 months before you intend to re-enter the U.S.

Applying as a Third Country National (TCN) 

Effective immediately, the Department of State has updated its instructions for all nonimmigrant visa applicants scheduling visa interview appointments:

  • Applicants for U.S. nonimmigrant visas (NIV) should schedule their visa interview appointments at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of nationality or residence.
  • Nationals of countries where the U.S. government is not conducting routine nonimmigrant visa operations must apply at the designated embassy or consulate, unless their residence is elsewhere.  See the list below to determine the designated location for NIV applications.
  • Applicants should note the following:
    • Residence Requirement:  Applicants must be able to demonstrate residence in the country where they are applying, if the place of application is based on their residency.
    • Fees:  Applicants who schedule nonimmigrant interviews at a U.S. embassy or consulate outside of their country of nationality or residence might find that it will be more difficult to qualify for the visa.  Fees paid for such applications will not be refunded and cannot be transferred.  
    • Appointment Availability:  Wait times for nonimmigrant interview appointments vary by location.  Applicants applying outside their country of nationality or residence should expect to wait significantly longer for an appointment.
    • Existing Appointments:  Existing nonimmigrant visa appointments will generally not be cancelled.
    • Exceptions:  This guidance does not apply to applicants for A, G, C-2, C-3, NATO visas, applicants for diplomatic-type or official-type visas (regardless of classification), or applicants for any visa for travel covered by the UN Headquarters Agreement.  Rare exceptions may also be made for humanitarian or medical emergencies or foreign policy reasons.”

I-20/DS-2019

If your I-20 or DS-2019 end date will expire and you need more time to complete your academic requirements, you must submit an I-20/DS-2019 Program Extension Request.  

If the travel signature on your I-20 or DS-2019 will expire, you need to follow the instructions on our Get a Travel Signature page

To replace a lost, stolen, or damaged I-20, following the steps below:

  • STEP 1: Check Terra Dotta for your most recent I-20 or DS-2019
    • You may have your most recent document available to print in Terra Dotta.Linked here is a 
    • video tutorial to help you find your previous documents. 
  • STEP 2:Submit the I-20/DS-2019 Reprint Request in Terra Dotta
    • You will need a PDF of your enrollment verification OR your EAD card if you are on OPT or STEM OPT
    • ISS may take up to 15 business days to process your Reprint Request. See the ISS contact page for current processing times.
  • STEP 3: Select how you would like to receive your I-20 or DS-2019.
    • Note: ISS will always provide a scanned copy of your document in your Reprint Request in Terra Dotta.
    • ISS will email your Wiscmail account when your document is ready.
      • If you are OPT or Academic Training, ISS will email your personal account
    • This email will include the following options:
      • Pick up the document in person during ISS business hours
      • Authorize a friend to retrieve the I-20 or DS-2019 for you
      • Select a mailing option. If you are outside the U.S., it is recommended that you choose the express shipping option.Please Note: ISS does not mail within the city of Madison.

I-94

You should get a new I-94 record each time you enter the U.S, there is no renewal of the I-94.

Your I-94 should have an “admit until” date or “D/S” for duration of status.

  • If your I-94 has “D/S” on it, your I-94 will remain valid as long as you maintain your valid F-1/J-1 visa status.

If your I-94 is lost or stolen, print a replacement.

Visa Delay, Denial, or Cancellation

Reminder! You must have a valid F or J visa any time you enter the U.S., unless you enter under automatic visa revalidation.

  • Your valid I-20 or DS-2019 is the certificate of your eligibility for an F or J visa, but it is ultimately the decision of the U.S embassy or consulate to issue you the F or J visa. Even if you have all of the required documents, you may experience issues when you apply for an F or J visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate. 
    • These issues could include administrative processing or a visa denial.
    • Read these 10 points to prepare for your visa interview. 

To plan for applying for a new visa, please check out the student visa calculator which helps estimate how long it will take to process your visa.

  • There can sometimes be a delay in your F or J visa processing at the U.S. embassy or consulate. This is called administrative processing.
  • Unfortunately, there is typically nothing ISS or UW–Madison can do to assist during administrative processing. 
    • Contact ISS immediately if your visa delay prevents you from entering the U.S. or arriving to UW–Madison before:
      • Your I-20/DS-2019 start date OR
      • The start date of classes for the upcoming semester 
  • ISS recommends students to arrive on the first day of classes at the latest. If you are not able to arrive by the start date of classes, you may need to take a leave of absence or request admission for a later semester and re-apply for your F or J visa. 
    • You must notify ISS within the first 30 days of the semester. This is the deadline for ISS to report your U.S. address and full-time enrollment in SEVIS.
  • If you need to request admission for a later semester, you should be admitted and request a change to your I-20/DS-2019 start date within 60 days of the program start date on your initial I-20.
    • If you are granted admission for another semester 60+ days after the program start date on your initial I-20, you must request a new initial attendance I-20/DS-2019 from your admissions office. 
    • In this case, you must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee on the new I-20/DS-2019, or request a SEVIS I-901 fee transfer.
  • The U.S. Department of State has many reasons why your visa may have been denied. 
    • The most common reason that we see for an F or J visa application denial is 214(b) – Failure to prove non-immigrant intent This means that you did not sufficiently prove to the officer that you do not intend to immigrate to the U.S.
  • If your F or J visa application is denied or refused, you should receive a written reason for the denial from the consular officer. You should contact ISS immediately with a copy of the denial. 
    • Unfortunately, there is typically nothing ISS or UW–Madison can do to assist if your visa is denied. ISS does not provide or issue letters of support. Per the Department of State, university issued letters are redundant and do not contribute any aid to the visa application. 
    • You may be eligible to re-apply for your F or J visa. You should ask the U.S. embassy or consulate if you are eligible to reapply. You may need an updated I-20 or DS-2019 if you are eligible to reapply.
  • ISS recommends students to arrive on the first day of classes at the latest. If you are not able to arrive by the start date of classes, you may need to take a leave of absence or request admission for a later semester and re-apply for your F or J visa. CBP may deny your entry to the U.S. if you arrive after classes have started.
    • You must notify ISS within the first 30 days of the semester. This is the deadline for ISS to report your U.S. address and full-time enrollment in SEVIS. 
    • If you need to request admission for a later semester, you should apply for readmission and receive acceptance for that later semester. Then you will request a change to your I-20/DS-2019 start date. This request needs to be made within 60 days of the program start date on your initial I-20/DS-2019. 
      • If you are granted admission for another semester 60+ days after the program start date on your initial I-20, you must request a new initial attendance I-20/DS-2019 from your admissions office. 
      • In this case, you must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee on the new I-20/DS-2019, or request a SEVIS I-901 fee transfer.

If your F or J visa is revoked or cancelled, it means that your visa is no longer valid for you to enter the U.S. 

  • You should receive an email from the U.S. embassy or consulate that issued you the visa, or other written confirmation from a U.S. government agency, but written confirmation is not always guaranteed. 
  • They may email you at the email address you used when you first applied for the visa. 
  • You should contact ISS immediately with a copy of the revocation or cancellation notice. ISS does not have a way to confirm whether or not your visa has been revoked or cancelled.

If you are inside the U.S. and your F or J visa is revoked or cancelled, you may remain in the U.S. if you are otherwise maintaining your status. 

  • If you are outside the U.S. with a revoked or cancelled visa, you must apply for a new F or J visa.

There are many reasons why your visa may have been revoked or cancelled. 

  • The most common reason that we see for an F or J visa holder is if you have a legal record in the U.S., especially a DUI (driving under the influence), OWI (operating while intoxicated), or domestic abuse/assault. 
  • You do not necessarily have to be arrested and convicted for your visa to be revoked or cancelled. 

If you are applying for your F or J visa, and you have any drug or alcohol related arrests and/or convictions, you could be referred to a Panel Physician in your home country (or country of visa application) for evaluation during your visa interview. 

  • This physician will make a determination if you are an “abuser or addict” and/or if you present a danger to yourself or others. 
  • It is possible that you can be required to stay at home for a year or more to seek treatment in order to be considered for another visa.

Travel After Studies

When you complete all of your degree requirements, you are in your grace period.

You cannot travel outside the U.S. and reenter with your F-1 or J-1 student visa during your grace period. Your grace period is time for you to make plans to leave the U.S. or take action on your immigration record. You can travel within the U.S. during this time, but if you depart the U.S. you will need to apply for another visa status, such as a visitor visa.

If you have applied for OPT or you have your EAD card, review the Travel & OPT risks and recommendations. OPT is not a separate visa category. It is still an F-1 student visa.

Travel & OPT

Please review the Travel & OPT section on our Optional Practical Training (OPT) webpage for more information.

Dependents, Family Travel and Invitation Letters

Your F-2 or J-2 dependent should travel with the same documents recommended for F-1 and J-1 students. 

  • Your dependents should also travel with copies of your documents such as your enrollment verification letter or transcript.

If you are already in the U.S. and you wish to bring a dependent to the U.S., you can submit the ISS Dependent Request form to ISS on Terra Dotta. A dependent is your spouse or unmarried child under the age of 21.

If you wish to invite a family member to visit you in the U.S., you can write an invitation letter to support their visitor visa application. 

  • ISS does not provide the invitation letters. 
  • If you are inviting a visitor from China who holds a 10-year U.S. visitor visa, instruct them to register their travel in EVUS, the U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) Electronic Visa Update System. 
    • This is required before entering the U.S.

Travel to Another Country

  • If you plan to travel to another country that is not your country of citizenship, you should check to see if you need a visa to travel there. You can find a list of embassies and consulates in the U.S. on the U.S. State Department website. ISS is not able to advise on or assist with visa applications for other countries.

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Transit Visa

  • You may need a visa just to transit through another country, even if you do not intend to leave the airport during your layover. 
    • Check the requirements of each country before you purchase your ticket.

Applying for a visa in another country

Please note that it is more difficult to apply for a U.S. visa while in another country unless you are a citizen of that country. 

  • Contact the U.S. consulate in that country to inquire about your eligibility to apply there. 
  • Plan for delays and additional requirements.

Automatic Visa Revalidation: Travel to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean

  • If you are traveling to Canada, Mexico, or the adjacent Caribbean islands, and your visa has expired or will be expired, you may not need to obtain a new visa to re-enter the U.S., if you meet the following conditions below.
  • Please check the U.S. Department of State automatic visa revalidation page before you plan your travels.
  • In order to be eligible, you must be outside the U.S. for less than 30 days. 
    • If you travel to Cuba, you are not eligible for Automatic Visa Revalidation. 
  • Exceptions: Automatic visa validation does not apply to students who are citizens of Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean Islands and who are traveling to their home country. 
    • In those cases, students must obtain an F-1 or J-1 visa to re-enter the U.S., except for citizens of Canada and Bermuda. 
    • Nationals of countries that the U.S. has designated as a state sponsor of terrorism are not eligible for automatic revalidation.
  • Required documents:
    • Valid F-1 or J-1 Status
    • I-20 or DS-2019 with a valid travel signature.
    • Most recent I-94
    • I-901 SEVIS Fee Receipt
    • Passport that’s valid 6 months into the future
    • Previously issued F-1 or J-1 visa
      • Ensure that your visa has not been cancelled by the U.S. Department of State. 
      • If you have applied for a visa abroad, you are not eligible for automatic visa revalidation. You must wait for the outcome of your visa application.

Cruises

You should travel with the same documents that you would travel with any other time. Even if your cruise does not travel to another country, it may travel through international waters.

If you travel on a “closed-loop” cruise, meaning that you depart from and return to the same port, you may not receive a new I-94 when you reenter the U.S.

If you go on a cruise during your grace period, you will not be eligible to reenter the U.S. in F-1 or J-1 status. You may be eligible to reenter as a B-1/B-2 visitor or ESTA visa waiver. ISS cannot advise you on applying for a visitor visa or the ESTA visa waiver program.

  • I-515A Form
      • If you received an I-515A, from Customs and Border Protection (CBP), you will receive an email from ISS with instructions to follow. 
        • This document allows you to have temporary entry into the U.S. for 30 days. 
  • If you fail to take action on time, following the email that was provided by ISS, your nonimmigrant student status will be negatively affected and you may be required to depart the United States.

If you have questions about the I-515A, you can contact your assigned ISS advisor by sending them an information request or by making an appointment.

Travel FAQs

Please review our Resources on Immigration Issues page for FAQs and information for Travel and Entry/Re-entry.