Temporary Departure from the U.S.
Students who plan to depart temporarily to visit a home country or another country but plan to return to ESU to resume their studies should secure the proper documents before leaving the U.S.
Every F-1 student must obtain an I-20 Form from the Office of International Education. A J-1 student needs the DS-2019 Form. If a spouse or children on an F-2 visa plan to travel, he/she/they also need an I-20.
Re-Entry for F-1 students
For F-1 visa holders, you and your dependents must have the following documents to ensure your re-entry:
- A valid passport
- A valid U.S. visa (the visa stamp in your passport should be valid beyond the date you return to the US and should have multiple entries)
- A valid Form I-20 (check the expiration date and check for the endorsement by an OIE advisor)
- If you are doing Optional Practical Training, you must show proof of employment.
- In some cases, a valid I-94. See Obtaining a New Visa Stamp for Re-entry below.
Re-Entry for J-1 Students
Before traveling outside of the U.S., ESU should certify that the exchange visitor is still in status, in the same program, and in good standing at the institution. The Director of OIE should revalidate the exchange visitor's DS-2019 form by endorsing the exchange visitor's copy. A new DS-2019 may be issued if it is preferred by the sponsoring organization.
To re-enter the United States, a J-1 must have 1) a valid passport, 2) a valid visa, 3) and a valid DS-2019 singed by the DSO at the school. I-94's should be kept on the J-1's person for expedience in entering the United States and other countries. Unless the J-1 student is traveling for less than 30 days in Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean, the J-1 student must reapply for a visa at the US embassy if the visa has expired. See 'Obtaining a New Visa Stamp for Re-entry' below.
Obtaining a New Visa Stamp for Re-entry
If you visit countries outside the United States other than Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean area, you must have a valid F or J visa stamp in your passport in order to re-enter the United States. This is essential in addition to having a form I-20 or DS-2019. If your visa is no longer valid, you must take your passport and a Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 or DS-2019) to the nearest United States Consulate or Embassy in the country you are visiting to apply for a new visa stamp. Evidence of Financial support for your studies in the United States must also be presented. Before you leave for a trip abroad, consult the OIE to determine whether you need a new visa stamp.
The only exception to the above requirements is the automatic revalidation privilege. A student may visit Canada, Mexico, or the adjacent islands except Cuba for less than 30 days, and re-enter the U.S. with an expired visa if all of the other documents, and a valid I-94, are still valid. However, there are two exceptions to the automatic revalidation privilege. First, students from state sponsors of terrorism will have to obtain a new visa stamp before re-entering the country regardless. Second, any student who applies for a new visa while in Canada, Mexico or the contiguous islands (or anywhere else), must wait until he/she receives the new visa before re-entering the U.S. If the visa is denied, that student must go back to his/her country of origin to obtain a new visa.
A student who plans to re-enter the U.S. with automatic revalidation of an expired visa (from Canada, Mexico, or adjacent islands except Cuba after an absence of not more than 30 days) should not surrender form I-94 upon departing from the U.S. The student's form I-94, along with a valid passport and an endorsed Form I-20/DS-2019, will be needed for re-entry.
To re-enter the U.S. after an absence of more than 30 days or from a country other than Canada, Mexico, or adjacent islands, a student needs all the documents stated above plus a valid visa, and does not need to have retained Form I-94.
It is not always necessary to obtain a new Form I-20 for re-entry after a temporary absence from the U.S. A properly endorsement of a previously issued Form I-20 will serve that purpose if there has been no substantive change in the information since the Form I-20 was issued. If there has been any substantive change in that information, a new Form I-20 is required for re-entry.
An F-1 student returning to a different school after a temporary absence from the U.S. who has effected a transfer of schools may be readmitted to attend the school which is noted on Form I-20 even though the new school may not be noted on the student's visa. If unable to effect the transfer before departure from the U.S., the student must have the new school noted on his/her visa by a U.S. consular officer. The student must attend the school noted on his/her visa or on Form I-20 or he/she is not eligible for entry.
Note: Students from the People's Republic of China may be required to follow special procedures which add as much as 30 days to normal processing time. Such students are urged to consult with the OIE at least six weeks before traveling.
Trips to Canada
Visas can be obtained from:
Canadian Consulate General
750 North St. Paul, Ste. 1700
Dallas, TX 75201
tel. (214) 922-9815
e-mail: dalas-td@dfait-maeci.gc.ca
Consult the Canadian Embassy or the Canadian Citizenship and Immigration web site for visa regulations concerning your country. Some nationals need to apply for a visa while others do not need to do so. For general travel information from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, click here.
Trips to Mexico
Mexican tourist cards: Tourist cards are required of everyone for travel to Mexico. Information is available from:
Mexican Consulate in Kansas City
1600 Baltimore, Suite 100
Kansas City, MO 64108
Tel: (816) 556-0800
Fax: (816) 556-0900
Visit the web site for the Consulate of Mexico in San Antonio, TX. For general travel information from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, click here.
Citizens of all countries except Chile, South Africa and Taiwan may apply for a 90-day tourist card from the Mexican Consulate. Such applications should be presented with valid passports and I-94's. Applications submitted by citizens of Chile, South Africa and Taiwan must be processed through Mexico City. These applications take time.
Travel Documents for U.S. Born Children
A birth certificate is essential for an infant if traveling out of the country. Application for an American passport for the American-born child may be made at any U.S. Post Office.
Departure after Completion of Studies
You are required to notify the OIE either in person or in writing, of the completion of your studies or practical training and of the date of your final departure from the United States . If you intend to leave Emporia State University , but plan to remain in the United States to study at another school, you must obtain appropriate transfer authorization.
[ESU HOME] [IMMIGRATION INFORMATION HOME] [OIE HOME]
Last Updated July 31, 2007