Office of International Education

Travel Advice

Table of Contents

General Overview
Details
Travel to or through another country or Canada
Technology Alert List

General overview
F-1 and J-1 students need to carry specific documentation to reenter the US to study after a temporary absence or vacation. This handout discusses 1) travel to a country which is not your home country, 2) applying for a new visa overseas (if needed) and 3) what you need to return to the US to study. In order to reenter the US using your Carnegie Mellon I-20 (for those in F status) or DS-2019 (for those in J status), you must be a student at Carnegie Mellon and planning to continue your studies at the University immediately upon your return to the US. If you plan to be out of the US for more than 5 months, you will need to speak with an advisor about how your immigration status will be affected. For additional information about travel outside the US, consult the OIE handout on Travel Outside the US.

Details for F-1/J-1 students and F-2/J-2 dependents
F-1 and J-1 visa holders should have these documents for travel outside of the US:

  • Current, valid passport.
  • Current, valid I-20 or DS-2019 from the school you are attending/will attend upon reentry.
  • Current, valid F-1 or J-1 visa stamp in passport (except for contiguous territory see below). *NOTE:  Canadian citizens are exempt from applying for an F-1 or J-1 visa stamp*
  • Most recent I-94 departure card.
  • Financial information showing proof of necessary funds to cover tuition and living expenses (personal bank statements, Carnegie Mellon department letter of support, support letter from government or home institution, etc.).

If applying for a new or renewal of your visa stamp at a US Consulate/Embassy, also carry:

  • Current, valid SEVIS I-20 or DS-2019 with current OIE signature (no more than 6 months old). If you have more than one I-20/DS-2019 form, be sure to take all with you (the old and the current forms).
  • Original evidence of financial support (personal bank statements, Carnegie Mellon department letter of support, support letter from government or home institution, etc.).
  • Evidence of your intention to return to home country upon completion of your program in the US. Proof of "ties to home country" such as a job offer in home country, family ties, or property in home country.
  • Information regarding your area of research if your field of study is on the Technology Alert List (see below).
  • All other documents required at US Consulate or Embassy overseas. Access specific country and consulate information at http://travel.state.gov/visa/questions_embassy.html. Check for fees, application procedures, processing times, holiday breaks, etc.

F-2/J-2 dependents traveling outside of the US separately from F-1/J-1 visa holder should carry:

  • Separate I-20 or DS-2019 issued for dependent(s). (A document for dependents may be requested from OIE. Allow one week for processing.)
  • Current valid passport and F-2 or J-2 visa stamp.
  • Copies of the passport, visa, and current I-20 or DS-2019 of the primary F-1/J-1 holder.
  • Copies of marriage certificate in English or with English translation (for visa application).

Travel to or through another country or Canada
Your country of citizenship or legal permanent residence will determine your need for a visa to enter and/or travel through another country. For example, a citizen of the UK may not need a visa to visit Canada, but a citizen of PR China will need a visa to visit Canada. Check with the Embassy or Consulate (www.embassy.org) of each country to determine if you need a visa. Applying for visas can be costly and time consuming, so plan several months in advance. Remember, even if your plane is landing in another country temporarily, you may need a transit visa even if you will not exit the plane.


Travel to Canada
For information about travel and entry to Canada, visit the Canadian website http://www.cic.gc.ca and refer to the OIE handout “Applying for a US Visa in Canada.” Note: to obtain a Canadian visitor’s visa, your I-20 or DS-2019 will have to have been signed by the Foreign Student Advisor within the last 6 months.

Application for a US visa in a country which is not your own country
You may have reason to apply for a US visa in a country other than your home country. An advance appointment with the US Consulate or Embassy is almost always required in this case. Generally, you should have a good reason for applying for a US visa at a US Consulate which is not located in your home country. A good reason might be participation in a professional conference or visiting a relative in the third country. Realize that US State Department preference is for you to handle visa issuance in your home country, so you will not have top priority in another country. For consulate specific visa application procedures, check the US Department of State website at http://travel.state.gov/visa/questions_embassy.html.

Refer to the information in the OIE handout Applying for a visa in a country which is not your home country for additional information.

Automatic visa revalidation to Canada, Mexico, and other contiguous territories
F-1 and J-1 students traveling to Canada, Mexico, or one of the islands off the US other than Cuba for pleasure or vacation for fewer than 30 days, can return to the US using an expired US entry visa of any type, as long as you have a valid passport, I-94, and signed I-20 or DS-2019 as specified above. Automatic revalidation does not apply to residents of Mexico or the islands who are returning to their home countries. Additionally, citizens of Cuba, Iraq, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Syria, and the Sudan are not eligible for automatic revalidation.

NOTE: As of April 2002, the automatic revalidation policy does not apply to people who travel to Canada or Mexico for the purpose of applying for a new US visa. If the visa is denied, the person will NOT be allowed to reenter the US. Consult with an OIE advisor if you have questions regarding a US visa application in Canada or Mexico.

Technology Alert List
If your field of study or research might be considered a "sensitive" field that has direct or indirect military application(s), you should read and understand the information related to the Technology Alert List ("TAL") IF you will be applying for a new visa at a US Consulate or Embassy overseas. Application of the TAL during the visa application process will lead to a security check and inherent delays in obtaining the US visa. However, not all visa applicants are subject to the TAL.

You may read the handout linked below and/or discuss your specific situation with your OIE advisor during a scheduled appointment.

See the Technology Alert List: Information for Department Advisors and Supervisors for additional information.

Last Updated On: October 3, 2007