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Travel After Graduation

The information listed below is for Harvard students who have already applied for either post-graduation F-1 Practical Training or J-1 Academic Training.

NOTE: the terms “job” and “employment” are broadly defined to include many professional development experiences which relate to the recently earned Harvard degree. For example academic research activities and un-paid scholarly appointments.

Required Travel Documents for F-1 Practical Training

Printed on the Employment Authorization Card (EAC) will be the statement "not valid for reentry." This statement means that the EAC alone is not sufficient for reentry: you must have ALL documentation listed below in order to travel and return to the United States after graduation. The following is a list of documents required to reenter the United States after graduation using OPT permission:

  • a valid Form I-20, signed on page 3 by an advisor in the HIO (the signature should not be more than six months old at the time of reentry to the United States)
  • a valid passport
  • a valid F-1 visa stamp in the passport
  • the EAC issued by USCIS
  • Evidence of a job offer, evidence of resumption of employment, or if not yet employed, evidence that you are searching for employment

Required Documents for Harvard Sponsored J-1 Academic Training

  • a valid Form DS-2019 with valid dates in section #3, and signed on the “travel validation” section by an advisor in the HIO.
  • a valid passport
  • a valid J-1 visa stamp in the passport
  • (SEE BELOW FOR ADDITIONAL SUGGESTED DOCUMENTS)

Travel After Graduation and Before the Work Permission Begins

Students who have the documentation listed above may travel outside the U.S. and re-enter even before the date of their work permission begins. For example an F-1 student who graduates in June with an EAC that begins in August, may travel and return to the US anytime after graduation.

Visa Documents

 

F-1 Form I-20

You will receive a new Form I-20 from the HIO as part of the application for OPT. The OPT recommendation (dates) as well as a "travel" signature from the HIO advisor can be found on page three of the Form I-20. This signature validates the Form I-20 for purposes of travel for a period of SIX months. You will need to request a new signature from the HIO if, upon reentry to the United States, the current signature will be older than six months. If you are not in the Cambridge area and need a new signature, you should mail the Form I-20 with a copy of the EAC to your advisor in the HIO. The HIO advisor will sign the Form I-20 and return it to the address provided. F-2 family members will also need to have their Forms I-20 signed every six months.

J-1 Form DS-2019

Harvard sponsored J-1 students (and J-2 family members) will receive a new Form DS-2019 from the HIO as part of their post-graduation Academic Training application process. They will also receive an Academic Training memo granting employment authorization. The Form DS-2019 should be signed in the “travel validation” section. This signature is valid for a 12-month period for international travel.

Visa Stamp (F and J)

For many students, the visa stamp in their passport issued by a US consulate, will expire by graduation. Often students believe that because they have been granted F-1 Practical Training permissions, or J-1 Academic Training permission that they no longer need a visa stamp to travel and return to the United States. Please note that the work permission alone is NOT sufficient for reentry. Harvard students who plan to work after graduation using their F or J visas will also need to have a valid F or J visa stamps for international travel. Before making post-graduation overseas travel plans, it is recommended that students review the information on your U.S. entry visa stamp to determine whether a new visa stamp is needed in order to return to the United States. Please note that it is not possible to obtain a new visa stamp inside the United States.

To apply for a new F or J visa stamp at a US Embassy or Consulate outside the United States, students will need the documentation listed above (see above REQUIRED DOCUMENTS). Students may also be asked to show additional information, such as

  • Evidence of the Academic Training employment offer (J-1 only)
  • Evidence of the job, job search, research work etc…. (F-1 only)
  • Evidence of financial support for the student and family members (this may only be required if the “employment” is un-salaried or a low salary)
  • Evidence that the F or J student will only stay in the US temporarily, and that the student has strong ties to his/her home country

Visa denial

The most common reason for a U.S. Consulate to deny an F or J visa is “intent to immigrate”. This occurs frequently, even when the applicant has no intention of immigrating to the U.S. For details on how to address this issue, please refer to the U.S. Department of State web page.

Employer Letter

When asked for evidence of employment, students should make sure that the employers offer of employment does not exceed the students F-1 Practical Training (dates on the EAC) or J-1 Academic Training (dates on the DS-2019). Employers should always make truthful statements about the job offer. Often employers write a separate letter for the visa application, using statements such as “ the student will work with us for the duration of his/her practical training”.

Other Visa Stamps

Students often ask if they can enter the United States using their Visitor Visas (B-1/B-2) instead of obtaining new F or J visa stamp. Please note that use of visa stamps other than F or J would invalidate the F-1 or J-1 work permission. Students should not use a Visitors Visa unless they are truly a visitor, and plan on abandoning their J-1 Academic Training or F-1 Practical Training.

Visiting Countries Other Than Your Own

Students who are planning to apply for their new F or J visa in a country other than their home country should consult an advisor in the HIO. Applying in Canada or Mexico for a new F or J visa stamp is not recommended (unless you are a citizen or permanent resident of those countries.) In addition, students may be required to obtain a visa stamp for permission to enter a country if it is not their home country. Students should contact the appropriate foreign consulate in the United States to see whether they are required to have a visa to enter that country. Please check local listings for the addresses of foreign embassies and consulates in the United States.