Travel Information
Travel Outside of USA
According to U.S. law, a non-immigrant visa student may be readmitted to the U.S. after an absence of five months or less, provided that s/he has maintained lawful full-time F-1 or J-1 status during his/her stay in the U.S.
In order to reenter into the U.S. after traveling abroad, an international student must present the following documents to the U.S. immigration inspector upon arriving at a U.S. airport or other Port of Entry:
- An unexpired / valid passport valid for at least six months after the date of your reentry. You may enter the U.S. with a passport valid until the date of reentry if your country has an agreement with the U.S. For a list of such countries go to the following link
- An unexpired / valid F-1 or J-1 visa stamp in the passport. If you do not have a valid F-1 or J-1 visa stamp, you must obtain one from a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country
- A recent signature by the Designated School Official (DSO) on the SEVIS I-20 or by the Responsible Officer / Alternate Responsible Officer (RO / ARO) on the SEVIS DS-2019 form. Please make sure that you get your SEVIS I-20 or SEVIS DS-2019 form signed by the appropriate International Student Office (ISO) staff each time you travel. Also, please check to make sure that the travel signature on your document is no older than six months.
- Proof of adequate financial support U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) indicates one of the basic requirements needed to reenter the U.S. as "financial information showing proof of necessary funds to cover tuition and living expenses".
- A letter verifying lawful F-l or J-1 student status. To request a letter, complete a Document Request Form
- A DePaul University student identification card
- An official transcript; this is a historical record of your course work and grades. Transcripts may be obtained from the Academic Resource Center (ARC). The ARC is located at the Lincoln Park Campus in Levan 110 and at the Loop Campus in DePaul Center Suite 9300. For more information, including the cost of obtaining transcripts, visit the ARC website
Travel to Canada/Mexico
Effective April 1, 2002 the "automatic revalidation of visa" benefit changed. "Automatic revalidation of visa" allows international students in F-1 and J-1 visa status to enter the U.S. without a valid U.S. visa after a 30-day or less visit to contiguous territories (Canada, Mexico and U.S. adjacent islands other than Cuba). However, effective April 1, 2002, the following changes took effect:
- Any person who applies for a new visa at a U.S. consulate in Canada or Mexico will have to wait until the new visa is granted in order to re-enter the U.S. IN OTHER WORDS, ANYONE WHO APPLIES FOR A NEW VISA AT A U.S. CONSULATE IN CANADA OR MEXICO AND IS DENIED A VISA WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RE-ENTER THE U.S. BASED ON "AUTOMATIC REVALIDATION"
- Citizens of the following countries will no longer be eligible for the "automatic revalidation of visa" benefit: Iraq, Iran, Syria, Libya, Sudan, North Korea, and Cuba
Travelling within the US, but outside the local area
When traveling within the U.S. outside the local area, you may be asked by an officer of the Border Patrol to show your immigration documents. Be sure you have your documents with you; keep them in a safe place so as not to misplace them or have them stolen from your car.
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