Travel

Travel Within the U.S.

F-1 students may travel within the United States without special permission needed. It is recommended that you carry your passport, most up to date I-20, and Marymount student ID when traveling.

Travel Outside of the U.S.

We strongly advise you to check the current laws and regulations for the country you are planning to visit before making your final plans. Each country that you plan to visit, or that you may need to pass through in transit on your way to your final destination, may have their own requirements. Your home country embassy in Washington, DC may be able to help you understand visa or other requirements for visiting or traveling through other countries.

Travel Documents to Re-enter the U.S.

If you intend to re-enter the United States after traveling to another country, you must present yourself for inspection at the U.S. port of entry and show documents to demonstrate that you are eligible to re-enter in your visa status.

Verify your documents in advance of your planned departure from the U.S. Make sure that you plan ahead so that you have enough time to complete any document updates that may be needed.

The documents that show your eligibility to study in the U.S. will not be inspected when you depart the U.S., but they will be inspected when you arrive at the U.S. port of entry on your return. Carry the following documents with you when returning to the U.S.:

  • Passport: must be valid at least 6 months beyond your re-entry to the U.S. (You may read about exceptions here.)
  • F-1 visa: must be valid and unexpired at time you re-enter the U.S. If you have a new passport and your valid visa is in your old passport, bring both passports with you.
  • Fully signed I-20 with Travel Endorsement on page 2. A Designated School Official (DSO) travel endorsement can be used for multiple entries and is valid up to 12 months from date of signature for active, continuing F-1 students. Note: the DSO travel endorsement is valid only for 6 months for students on OPT or OPT STEM Extension.
  • (Recommended) For current students, an unofficial transcript (you may download this from Workday).
  • (Recommended) For current students, print a copy of your course registration for the current or upcoming semester (you may download this from Workday).
  • (Recommended) For current students, a Verification of Enrollment letter. You may request a Verification of Enrollment from the Registrar’s Office.
  • (Recommended) For current students, proof of funding.
  • (If on OPT, required) Valid EAD Card: required for students who are participating in Post-Completion OPT or OPT STEM Extension.
  • (If on OPT, recommended) Proof of OPT or OPT STEM Extension employment in U.S.: recommended for students who are participating in Post-Completion OPT or OPT STEM Extension.
  • (J-1 only) If on post-completion Academic Training, your Employment Authorization Letter.

Do not pack your important documents in your checked luggage! Carry your documents with you when you travel. Present only the forms requested by the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officer/inspector.

Request a Travel Endorsement on Your I-20

If you plan to travel out of the United States, make sure that you have a valid travel endorsement on page 2 of your I-20, a valid passport, and a valid/unexpired visa.

  • If you are a currently enrolled student at Marymount, then the travel endorsement is valid for up to one year from the date last signed by the DSO on page 2.
  • If you are on OPT or OPT STEM Extension, then the travel endorsement is valid for up to 6 months from the date last signed by the DSO on page 2.

Request Travel Signature

  1. Log into your ISSS Portal
  2. Go to Tab 4 “Initiate & Manage Requests”
  3. Click on “I-20 Travel Signature Request” (airplane icon)
  4. Complete the fields requested
  5. Click the Submit button at the bottom of the pop-up screen

Once you click Submit, ISSS will be notified of your request. Please allow up to 10 business days for processing. If we have questions or need more information, we will contact you through your Marymount student email account. Once issued, you will be notified that your I-20 with travel endorsement is available for you to download from your ISSS portal.

Secondary Inspection

When you enter the United States, if you do not have the required documents, or if the inspector is uncertain as to whether or not you are eligible to enter the U.S., they may ask you to step into a separate room while your case is further reviewed. This is called Secondary Inspection.
Once Secondary Inspection is completed:
  • You may be allowed to enter the U.S. with the usual Duration of Stay (“D/S”) authorization, depending on the officer’s concern.
  • Or, you may be issued a Form I-515A “Notice to Student or Exchange Visitor.”
  • Although rare, it is possible for an officer to decline to admit a student into the United States.

If you receive a Form I-515A, notify the ISSS Advisor and upload a copy of your I-515A to your ISSS portal, Tab 4, Document Upload request by the next business day. You are required to email the required documents to SEVP within 30 days. The Form I-515A allows you temporary admission to the U.S. Do not ignore the 30-day deadline. You must follow the requirements stated on the form. Failure to comply may result in termination your SEVIS record. Detailed instructions are on the Study in the States webpage Form I-515A Overview.

 

 

10/04/2024