Travel Advisory for International Students

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Travel Advisory for International Students

• International Students and Scholars Office
• Iowa State University

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Traveling Within the U.S.

• Required documents
• Unexpired original I-20 or DS-2019
• Travel signature is not required.
• Unexpired passport
• I-94
• Picture ID
• Drivers license, student ID, EAD
• Additional documents
• Health insurance card
• Unofficial transcript (optional)

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Traveling Outside the U.S.

• Required documents
• Unexpired original I-20 or DS-2019 with a travel
  signature from an ISS advisor
• Signature must be less than 12 months old
• Or, less than 6 months old for F-1 students who
  are on OPT.
• I-94
• Surrender your I-94 when you depart the U.S.
  (except if you travel to Canada)
• Obtain a new I-94 at the port of entry upon your
  arrival
• Submit a copy of the new I-94 to ISSO

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Traveling Outside the U.S.

• Unexpired passport
• Valid for at least 6 months
• Valid U.S. visa (except for Canadians)
• Do not need a valid U.S. visa if traveling
  temporarily to Canada, Mexico, or adjacent
  islands for 30 days or less.
• EAD (if you are on OPT)
• Job offer letter (if you are on OPT)
• Additional documents
• Financial support documents
• Unofficial transcript or enrollment letter issued
  by ISSO

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Traveling Outside the U.S.

• Picture ID
• Drivers license or student ID
• Health insurance card
• You may need a transit visa to pass through
  certain countries, or a visa to enter the country
  you are visiting.

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Renewing Your Visa

• Required documents
• Unexpired passport
• Valid for at least 6 months
• Unexpired original I-20 or DS-2019 with a
  signature from an ISS advisor
• Financial support documents
• Proof of enrollment
• Unofficial transcript or enrollment letter issued
  by ISSO
• Student ID

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Renewing U.S. Visa in Canada or Mexico

• May encounter difficulties if renewing U.S. visa
  in a 3rd country.
• May be asked why renewing outside your home
  country.
• Make an appointment for visa interview in
  advance.
• If your request is denied, you are not allowed to
  return to the U.S. even if your have a valid I-20.

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Traveling Abroad During OPT

• Required documents
• Original OPT I-20 with a travel signature from an
  ISS advisor
• Valid F-1 visa (except for Canadians)
• Do not need a valid F-1 visa if traveling
  temporarily to Canada, Mexico, or adjacent
  islands for 30 days or less
• Unexpired passport
• Valid for at least 6 months
• EAD

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Traveling Abroad During OPT

• I-94
• Job offer letter (must have!!!)
• Additional documents
• Copy of unofficial transcript or enrollment
  letter issued by ISSO
• Picture ID
• Student ID or drivers license

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Important Notes

• Discuss with an ISS advisor if you plan to stay
  outside the U.S. for more than 5 months.
• If you have changed your nonimmigrant status in
  the U.S., you will need a new visa before you can
  reenter.
• Take the USCIS approval notice

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Important Notes

• Check if your U.S. visa was issued for multiple
  reentries or fewer.
• If F-2s traveling without F-1, take a copy of the
  F-1s I-20 and financial support documents.
• Submit a copy of your new I-94, visa, and
  passport to ISSO after you return.

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Important Notes

• Take the ISSO and your department contact
  information with you
• 3248 Memorial Union, Ames, IA 50011-1130
• Phone [phone]
• Fax [phone]

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Important Notes

• Students who are required to do Special
  Registration with the National Security Entrance
  and Exit System (NSEERS) must report to the
  Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the
  airport before leaving the U.S.
• See the airport list at http//www.cbp.gov/xp/cgo
  v/travel/id_visa/nseers/

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Items Allowed/Not Allowed for Carry On

• Check these websites before leaving.
• 3-1-1 For Carry-Ons
• http//www.tsa.gov/311/index.shtm
• Prohibited Items
• http//www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/
  permitted-prohibited-items.shtm

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Useful Links

• Department of State
• http//travel.state.gov/
• US Citizenship and Immigration Service
• http//www.uscis.gov
• US Custom and Border Protection
• http//www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/

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Questions?
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Have a safe and enjoyable trip!We will miss you ?