Travel Within the U.S.

When traveling in the United States and outside the metropolitan area of Boston, you should always carry your original immigration documents, including a valid passport and visa documents (Form I-20 or DS-2019) for identification purposes. 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers may stop individuals and ask for identification at their discretion. When traveling inside the United States by air, please always carry the same immigration documents and follow the guidelines set by the TSA: Transportation Security Administration. It is important to check the TSA's web site before traveling each time since guidelines and regulations tend to change frequently.

For day to day life in the Boston area, you do not need to carry your original documents with you. We recommend carrying photocopies, or pictures on your phone, of your passport, visa stamp, and visa documents (Form I-20 or DS-2019) at all time. You may also wish to consider applying for a State ID, Liquor ID, or Driver's License for local outings.