Know Before You Travel

Staying informed about travel requirements while on a visa in the U.S. is essential for maintaining your immigration status. This page helps international students and scholars identify required travel documentation, prepare for departure, and understand re-entry procedures when returning to Austin.

Before You Travel Abroad

Check Immigration Updates 

Before traveling, review the latest immigration updates as part of your travel preparation. Travel restrictions and policies may change, and full details are not always immediately available. ISSS provides updates and guidance to help you stay informed and plan your travel.

Evaluate Your Travel Circumstances

Before traveling, consider:

• Whether you need a new visa or passport 
• Any previous issues entering the United States 
• Whether your home country is subject to travel restrictions

What to Consider Before Traveling

• Contact your country’s consulate to determine recommended travel precautions.
• View travel advisories and visa issuance guidance from the U.S. Department of State.
• Review International Security Office (ISO) recommendations prior to your travel.
• Make and appointment with an ISSS advisor if you have any concerns about your status or travel plans
• Be aware that visa applications abroad may be subject to additional review, which could affect timing; when possible, consider, when possible, applying in your home country.

U.S. Entry Preparation: What to Carry by Visa Type

• For F-1 and J-1 Students

  Travel Within The United States

  Every time you leave your Austin home, you should carry copies of your passport biographical and expiration pages, I-20/DS-2019, and I-94 record. If you are traveling outside of Austin, you should take your passport original, I-20/DS-2019, and I-94 record. Due to the proximity of the U.S.-Mexico border, you may be required to show proof of legal immigration status if you travel in south or west Texas, so be certain to bring your original documents even if you do not plan to cross the border.

   

  Travel outside of the United States

  Carry the following:

  • Valid passport
    • Valid visa
    • Valid I-20/DS-2019
    • SEVIS fee receipt
    • Form I-94 (Not required for your first entry into the U.S.)
    • Printed copy of your Austin address 
    • Proof of financial support
      • Examples: Personal bank statement, Research Assistant/Teaching Assistant verification letter that includes salary and tuition payment details, sponsor’s letter and bank statement, and/or other valid financial documents.
    • New students: 
      • Your admission letter. 
      • Your I-20/DS-2019 does not need a travel signature. 
    • Continuing students: 
      • Your most recently-issued I-20/DS-2019. It must must be signed for travel by an international student advisor within the last year. If you have no travel signature or if it has expired, you can request one in myIO > F-1/J-1 Student Services > I-20/DS-2019 Travel Signature Request (allow 10 business days for processing) or by bringing your printed-out I-20/DS-2019 to our Student Walk-In Hours for a same-day travel signature.
      • An official UT Transcript or Certification of Enrollment.
      • Documentation of approval to take a reduced course load, if applicable.

  Travel During Non-Standard Academic Periods
  If you plan to enter the U.S. at a time that falls outside of typical university break periods, we strongly recommend that you speak with an ISSS advisor before you travel. An advisor can review your plans and help you determine what documentation may be helpful to carry when entering the United States.

  In some cases, additional documentation from your academic department or faculty advisor explaining the purpose of your travel may be helpful if requested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

• For F-1 Students on OPT

  Travel Within The United States

  Every time you leave your Austin home, you should carry copies of your passport biographical and expiration pages, I-20, EAD, and I-94 record. If you are traveling outside of Austin, you should take your passport original, I-20, and I-94 record. Due to the proximity of the U.S.-Mexico border, you may be required to show proof of legal immigration status if you travel in south or west Texas, so be certain to bring your original documents even if you do not plan to cross the border.

  Travel outside of the United States

  Carry the following:

  • Original I-20 with OPT recommendation. The travel signature/endorsement is valid for 6 months from the date of signature while you are on OPT. This is different from when you were an enrolled student and the travel signature was valid for 12 months.
    • If your travel signature has expired, you can request a new one through myIO > F-1 Student Services > I-20 Travel Signature Request
  • Employment Authorization Document (EAD card) from USCIS
  • Employment offer letter or employment verification letter from your employer that includes the dates of your employment, a description of your duties, your salary, location where you will be working, and number of hours of work per week. You should also be prepared to discuss how this job experience relates to your major field of study. If your employer is sponsoring you for a work visa, this information should not be included in your letter for travel while on OPT. Any mention of plans to change visa statuses could be interpreted as a misrepresentation of your intentions in the U.S. by a Port of Entry Officer. A volunteer position letter is acceptable.
  • Valid F-1 visa Do not use other types of US visas (e.g., tourist visa or visa waiver) if you plan to use OPT upon your return to the U.S.
  • Valid passport
  • I-94
  • SEVIS Fee Receipt

  • Printed copy of your Austin address

     

   

• For J-1 Students on Post-Completion Academic Training

  Travel Within The United States

  Every time you leave your Austin home, you should carry copies of your passport biographical and expiration pages, DS-2019, and I-94 record. If you are traveling outside of Austin, you should take your passport original, DS-2019, and I-94 record. Due to the proximity of the U.S.-Mexico border, you may be required to show proof of legal immigration status if you travel in south or west Texas, so be certain to bring your original documents even if you do not plan to cross the border.

  Travel outside of the United States

  Make sure to keep these documents in your carry-on luggage, not checked baggage. 

  • DS-2019 with Academic Training authorization. The travel signature/endorsement is valid for 12 months from the date of signature.
  • If your travel signature has expired, you can request a new one through myIO > J-1 Student Services > DS-2019 Travel Signature Request
  • Academic Training authorization letter.
  • Employment offer letter or employment verification letter
  • Valid J-1 visa Do not use other types of US visas (e.g., tourist visa or visa waiver) if you plan to use Academic Training upon your return to the U.S.
  • Valid passport
  • I-94
  •  SEVIS Fee Receipt
  • Printed copy of your Austin address
• For J-1 Scholars & Researchers

  Travel Within The United States

  Every time you leave your Austin home, you should carry copies of your passport biographical and expiration pages, DS-2019, and I-94 record. If you are traveling outside of Austin, you should take your passport original, DS-2019, and I-94 record. Due to the proximity of the U.S.-Mexico border, you may be required to show proof of legal immigration status if you travel in south or west Texas, so be certain to bring your original documents even if you do not plan to cross the border.

  Travel outside of the United States

  Make sure to keep these documents in your carry-on luggage, not checked baggage. 

  • Passport (valid for 6 months or longer upon entry)
  • Valid J-1 visa (Canadian J-1 Exchange Visitors are exempt from the visa requirement.)
  • DS-2019 signed for travel within the last 12 months
  • If you are traveling to a country that is not your country of citizenship, please consult that country’s consulate to determine if you require an entry visa.
  • It is also important to consult the Texas Global Risk & Safety website for current travel restrictions and potential safety concerns.
  • Printed copy of your Austin address
  • If you are traveling outside of the United States for longer than 30 days, Department of State regulations specify that you must provide ISSS with a letter from your department stating where you will be, and how it connects with your current J-1 program. Examples include returning to your home country for 6 weeks to engage in research that you will use for your program at UT, or doing the same in another foreign country. Please email scholars@austin.utexas.edu anytime you are planning on traveling outside of the United States.
• For H-1B Employees

  While traveling in H-1B status, it is important to carry your original I-797 H-1B Approval Notice, valid passport, valid H-1B visa and current proof of your employment.

  Please note that being in valid H-1B status is not the same as having a valid H-1B visa. H-1B status holders will need to apply for an H-1B visa to re-enter the country after international travel.

  For information on obtaining a visa, visit the website of the U.S. Consulate in your home country, found at usembassy.org and review our Prepare for Your H-1B Visa Interview page. International travel plans should account for potential delays while obtaining the visa at the U.S. Consulate.

  If you would like to check out your original I-797 H-1B Approval Notice for travel or if you have further questions about traveling or applying for a visa, please schedule an appointment for Faculty and Scholar Advising.

Immigration Emergencies While Traveling

When planning international travel, be sure to review your documents and requirements in advance. Requests such as forgotten travel signatures or missing documents generally cannot be resolved outside of normal business hours. ISSS staff are available outside business hours only for situations that qualify as immigration emergencies. If you believe you are experiencing a true immigration emergency while traveling, please follow the guidance on the Emergency Information page.

Prepare for Primary Inspection with Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

• Be prepared to clearly state your reason for entry
• Ensure that your purpose for entry matches your visa type
• Have your Austin address printed and readily accessible
• Answer questions truthfully and concisely

CBP may refer you to secondary inspection if additional review is needed to process your entry. Secondary inspection can include reviewing electronic devices. You may wish to review your social media and phone content beforehand.e U.S.

After You Arrive in the U.S.

• Arrival Through an Airport

  Before Leaving the Airport

  1. Visit https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov and review your I-94 entry record
  2. Confirm your entry information, including: 
     • Name spelling
     • Visa or status type (e.g., F-1, J-1, H-1B)
     • Admit-until date or authorized period of stay
  3. Check your I-94 while still in the baggage claim or airport area, if possible

  If you notice errors: Work with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to get them corrected before leaving the airport. ISSS cannot correct I-94 errors. If errors are identified after leaving the airport, you may need to travel to a Deferred Inspection site (such as San Antonio) for assistance.

  Update myIO.  Provide ISSS with an updated copy of your I-94 through myIO.

   

• Entry Through a Land Border
  • Request and pay for your I-94 arrival record at the border.
  • Before leaving, confirm your class of admission (F-1 or J-1) on your I-94.
  • After arrival, upload your I-94 to myIO for ISSS review.

Help and Support

If you anticipate or encounter issues:

• Schedule an appointment with an ISSS advisor prior to travelling. 
• For information on immigration-related emergencies, visit our Emergency Information page.

General Travel Questions

• Do I need to renew my visa if I travel abroad?

  If your nonimmigrant visa stamp has expired, you will have to apply for a new visa to re-enter the U.S. unless you will be using Automatic Visa Revalidation (see below).

  Visit the Applying for a U.S. Visa page for more information about applying for an F-1 or J-1 visa.

• What if I travel to Mexico, Canada or the Caribbean?

  If you plan to travel to a country that is contiguous* to the U.S. (but NOT Cuba) and you intend to stay there less than 30 days and will NOT apply for a new U.S. visa, you may reenter the U.S. on an expired visa stamp (this regulation is known as Automatic Visa Revalidation).

  When traveling to a contiguous country, you keep the same I-94 number with you upon exiting the U.S. Tell the immigration official at the port of exit (border) that you intend to stay outside the U.S. for less than 30 days and that your U.S. visa is expired. Make sure to have your I-20 or DS-2019 signed by an immigration advisor at ISSS before you travel and present that document along with your valid passport, form I-94, and expired visa to reenter the U.S. Reentry into the United States through Automatic Visa Revalidation is not guaranteed.

  If you are staying for more than 30 days or planning to apply for a U.S. visa while in Mexico or Canada, please talk to an international student advisor at ISSS before you make arrangements. In general, ISSS does not recommend that third-country nationals apply for a U.S. visa in Mexico or Canada because of lengthy delays due to background/security checks and complications in case of visa denial. If your visa application is denied, you would need to depart directly to your home country to apply for a new visa to reenter the U.S. You may not use Automatic Visa Revalidation if you applied for a visa while abroad.

  Note: Citizens of Iran, Syria, Sudan, and those from a State Sponsor of Terrorism designated country as listed by the U.S. Department of State will not be allowed to reenter the U.S. with an expired U.S. visa stamp, even if the trip is to a contiguous country.

  * Saint Pierre, Miquelon, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, The Windward and Leeward Islands, Trinidad, Martinique, or other British, French or Netherlands territories or possessions in, or bordering, the Caribbean Sea.

• Do I need a visa to enter Mexico or Canada?

  If you are on a student visa traveling to Mexico, Canada or any country that is not your country of citizenship, you may need a visa to enter that country. Be sure to contact the Embassy or Consulate Office of the country you are wanting to visit to find out if you will need a visa to travel to their country.

• What if I'm currently outside of Austin and need a new travel signature?

  If you are not in the Austin area and need a new travel signature, you can place an order in Texas Global to have your new document sent via express mail. You may request a new I-20 travel signature or DS-2019 travel signature online in myIO.