News

If you are planning to travel during the summer, we want to provide you with important information. 
 

Travel reminders

• Please check page two of your most recently issued I‐20 or page one of your DS‐2019 for a valid travel signature. You can review our Travel webpage for additional documentation required when re-entering the U.S.
• Travel signatures are required to re-enter the U.S., and are valid for one year from the date last signed for current students.  
  • If you are graduating this semester and moving onto Post-OPT, your travel signature is only valid for 6 months.
• Most I-20s issued by the ISSC already include a travel signature. For example, if you were recently authorized for CPT, your I-20 contains a valid travel signature. You only need to request a new one if it has been more than one year since the signature date.
• If you are traveling within the U.S., you do not need a travel signature, but you must carry identification documents with you, including your I‐20 or DS‐2019, a printout of your I‐94, and a valid passport.

• Submit a travel signature request for your I-20 or DS-2019 document using the MyISSC eForm Portal.
• Remember that a travel signature is not required to depart the U.S. It is only required when re-entering.
• The ISSC cannot expedite last-minute travel signature requests so you must plan accordingly.

You must hold a valid (unexpired) visa in order to re-enter the U.S. If your visa has expired, you will need to apply for a new visa during your time abroad.  Please plan ahead by reviewing visa processing times to ensure you have enough time to obtain a new visa before returning for the fall 2026 semester.

• Remember that the Department of State has broad discretionary authority to revoke an unexpired visa. Legal infractions committed while in the United States may lead to the revocation of your visa, or denial of re-entry into the U.S. If you have any questions regarding the possible impact of a prior legal infraction, please consult a immigration attorney prior to your departure from the U.S.
• If your visa has been revoked, your visa will not be valid for re-entry into the U.S. If this occurs while you are outside the U.S., you will need to apply for a new visa in order to return to the U.S. A visa revocation may negatively affect your ability to obtain a new visa.
• If the Department of State revokes your visa, you may be notified via email to the email address that you provided to the U.S. Consulate on your most recent DS-160 Application for Nonimmigrant Visa.

The Department of State does not notify the visa holder in every instance of a visa revocation. If you are concerned about the validity of your unexpired visa, take the following steps:

• Go to the CEAC Visa Application status tool.
• Select the “Nonimmigrant” dropdown option in the first field.
• Select the Consulate that issued your current visa from the dropdown options in the second field.
• Enter the 14 digit “Control Number” found in the upper right hand corner of your visa in the third field, in the following format: xxxxxxx xxx xxxx.
• Enter the same passport number that is found on your visa in the fourth field

Alternatively, you may try to contact the U.S. Consulate which issued your visa to verify the validity of your visa. 
 

If you need to apply for a visa while you are abroad, the Department of State may screen your social media as part of the visa application process. And, when you re-enter the U.S., Customs and Border Protection may search your phone, tablet, laptop, or other devices, and check your social media accounts. They can look at your posts, comments, photos, and your friends list. For insight into the nature of this screening, please review the Department of Homeland Security’s April 9, 2025 announcement.

• Make your social media accounts private: Adjust your settings so only people you know and trust can see your posts.
• Be cautious with friend requests: Do not accept requests from people you do not know.
• Think before you post: Avoid sharing about topics that could be misunderstood or used against you.
• Review your devices: Check what is stored on the device, including deleted files, as officers may ask you to unlock your device. If you refuse, devices can be confiscated.
   

Significant events impacting F-1 students have occurred recently. It is possible that new developments impacting your ability to return to the U.S. may occur. While we have no way to predict whether such additional developments may occur in the coming months, we will keep in contact with you if we have important updates to share. Please monitor trusted sources of information during your stay abroad and be prepared to make alternative plans.
 

Every time you re-enter the U.S., your I-94 record should reflect your most recent entry.  We would advise that you check your I-94 record a week or so after you enter the U.S. to ensure it is up to date.