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Required Travel Documents

All non-U.S.-citizens (except Canadians) are required to have a visa stamp (issued by a U.S. embassy or consulate) in their passport that will be valid at the time of re-entry to the U.S. It is recommended that you do not make specific travel plans until you have determined how long it may take to obtain a new visa stamp from a U.S. embassy or consulate in the country you will be visiting. If you have completed a “change of visa status” inside the U.S., please review the General Travel information page here.

NOTE: There are different regulations pertaining to travel to Canada, Mexico and Caribbean nations.

F-1 Students

  • a valid SEVIS Form I-20, signed on page three by an advisor in the HIO.
  • a valid F visa stamp in the passport
  • evidence of the financial support listed in section #8 of the I-20

F-2 dependents would also require their own originals documents in the first two items above

NOTE: If you have F-1 Practical Training you must also carry your Employment Authorization Card (EAC) and letter of employment/research (dates should not exceed EAC validity) or proof of personal funds if you are not yet employed. The travel signature for post-graduation Practical Training is only valid for 6 months.

J-1 Exchange Visitors

  • a valid DS-2019 signed in the "travel validation" section by a responsible officer of your Exchange Visitor Program*
  • a valid J visa stamp in the passport
  • evidence of the financial support listed on section #5 of the DS-2019

J-2 dependents would also require their own originals documents in the first two items above

* If the HIO issued your DS-2019 it must be signed in the 'travel Validation' section by an advisor in the HIO. If your form was issued by another Exchange

Visitor Program (Fulbright, LASPAU, AID) you should contact that organization directly regarding travel signatures.

H-1B and O-1 Visa Holders

  • the HIO approval pack you received from your most recent H or O approval notice
  • an original I-797 Approval Notice from the USCIS which is valid for a period beyond the anticipated travel
  • a valid H-1B or O-1 visa stamp in the passport
  • a faculty sponsor letter verifying your current employment, The letter should include your title and salary.
  • Copy of most recent pay check, as evidence of the employer

TN Visa Holders

  • an I-94 card annotated by the USCIS as TN, valid for a period beyond the anticipated travel
  • evidence of Canadian or Mexican citizenship
  • the faculty sponsor letter that was used in obtaining the most recent TN status
  • a copy of your degree certificate as evidence that you are eligible for TN visa
  • citizens of Mexico are required to have a valid TN visa stamp in their passports and the I-797 Approval Notice.