All international students, scholars and their family members in F and J visa status are required to have "travel signatures" on their Forms I-20 (F visa) or Forms DS-2019 (J visa) before traveling outside the United States. If your DS-2019 form was issued by another Exchange Visitor Program (Fulbright, LASPAU, AID) you should contact that organization directly regarding travel signatures. Harvard sponsored F and J visa documents may only be signed by an advisor from the Harvard International Office (HIO.)

If you are a Harvard sponsored F or J visa holder, please bring your Form I-20 or Form DS-2019, your valid Harvard student ID card, and your passport with Form I-94 to the HIO to obtain a signature.

The HIO has an advisor "on-call" Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (except on Tuesday mornings when advisors are not available until 11:30 a.m.). Students, scholars and family members may stop by the office at any time during these hours for a signature, or to speak with the advisor on-call about U.S. immigration regulations. When visiting the HIO, please bring your visa documents (Form I-20 or Form DS-2019), as well as your valid passport and Form I-94.

Signature Requirements for F Visa Holders
Students and family members in F visa status are required to obtain a signature on Page 3 of the Form I-20 from an advisor in the HIO in order to validate the form for travel and reentry to the U.S. The HIO advisor's signature is valid for multiple exit/reentries for a 12 month period, or until the expiration date on the I-20 (section #5) whichever is earlier. A valid visa stamp is also required for re-entry to the U.S. Review the complete list of required travel documents here.

Signature Requirements for Harvard sponsored J Visa Holders
Students, scholars and family members in Harvard sponsored J visa status are required to have a signature on the "travel validation" section of the DS-2019 from an advisor in the HIO in order to validate the form for travel and reentry to the U.S. The HIO advisor's signature is valid for multiple exit/reentries for a 12 month period, or until the expiration date on the form DS-2019 (section #3) whichever is earlier. A valid visa stamp is also required for re-entry to the U.S. Review the complete list of required travel documents here.