|
Overview |
Travel and Re-entry in F-1 Status While you are in F-1 status, you are permitted to leave the U.S. and re-enter in F-1 status provided you present the required documentation. If you intend to re-enter the U.S. and continue your full-time course of study, you must always be admitted to the U.S. in F-1 status. This section provides detailed information on the requirements for traveling outside the United States and re-entering in F-1 status. The following topics are addressed:
Please note that if you are sponsored by a program other than Columbia University, i.e. IIE or LASPAU, you should discuss your status and any travel requirements with your program sponsor. Documents
Required for Re-entry in F-1 Status ___ Passport valid for at least 6 months into the future: Some countries have the expiration dates of the passports automatically extended for 6 months based on an agreement with the U.S. If your country of citizenship is on this list, you may enter the U.S. using your passport until its actual expiration date. Check here to see if your country is on the list. If your passport will expire, contact your consulate. Consular locations can be found at http://www.citidex.com/252.htm. Canadian citizens do not require an entry visa to enter the U.S. from Canada, but DO require an I-20. All Canadian citizens entering the U.S. are required to show a passport. ___ Unexpired F-1 visa valid for further entries: You should always be aware of the expiration date and the number of entries allowed on your visa. Most visas have "M" written under entries. This means that there is no limit on the number of entries for which you can use your visa. If your visa is expired or you have already used the number of entries you are allowed, you will need to apply for a new F-1 visa in order to re-enter the U.S. See the section Obtaining a New F-1 Visa for more details. An exception to this requirement exists for travel to certain countries. ___ Valid I-20 recertified within 12 months of the date of on which you will return to the U.S. Recertification (travel signature) is on page 3 of the I-20. It indicates that you are maintaining valid F-1 status. Only staff at the ISSO or the IAO is authorized by the Department of Homeland Security to sign your I-20. Each signature is valid for 12 months, although you may have the I-20 signed more frequently if you wish. The ISSO can only sign your I-20 for travel if you are maintaining valid F-1 status and can show that you have the financial resources to cover all expenses for one year. Continuing students may be required to show updated funding documentation to have their I-20 recertified. You must plan ahead to get your I- 20 signed before you leave the country. Request recertification of your I-20 at least five business days prior to your departure. If you will be outside the U.S. for more than 5 months, please see Extended Stays Outside the U.S. We also recommend that you carry the following documents with you. It is possible that an immigration officer could ask you for these documents. ___ Receipt of SEVIS I-901 Fee (if applicable). For information on who is required to pay this fee, go to www.fmjfee.com ___ Current financial documentation issued within the last 3 months. ___ Proof of full-time enrollment. You can print out a copy of your registration history from Student Services On-line. Obtaining
a New F-1 Visa When you go to the consulate, you will need to bring your passport, I-20, financial documentation, and proof of full-time enrollment, as well as any other documents requested by the consulate. If you have ever overstayed
your authorized stay (as noted on your I-94 card) in the United States,
you will be required to return to your home country to apply for a new
entry visa.
Those entering the U.S. to study should request F-1 status at the border and must always show the Form I-20 and supporting financial documentation to the immigration inspector at the port of entry. Be sure to check your I-94 card before you leave the inspection area to ensure that the I-94 card was properly notated with F-1, D/S. Often, your I-94 card will not be removed from your passport when you leave the U.S., and you will not receive a new one when you re-enter. This is not a problem. Just be aware that if the I-94 card is removed, you must get a new one with the F-1 notation when you re-enter.
All individuals who have applied for post-completion OPT must carry the following documents: ___ Passport valid for 6 months into the future ___ Valid F-1 entry visa, unless using visa revalidation ___ I-20 recertified within the past 6 months. Please note that this is a change in the length of validity of recertifications. Recertifications are generally valid for one year, but once you are on OPT, they are valid for only 6 months. ** See Documents Required for Re-entry in F-1 Status for document descriptions. If you have applied for OPT, but not yet received the EAD, you must also carry the following: ___ Original receipt notice issued by the Vermont Service Center confirming your request for OPT. If your OPT has been approved, you must also carry the following: ___ EAD card ___ Letter from employer confirming that you are employed or have been offered employment. Please note: this letter must be for the duration of your OPT and not for a permanent position. The guidance from DHS states that if an individual has been approved for OPT and leaves the U.S. prior to receiving a job offer, the OPT authorization ends. If you are planning to leave the U.S. and do not have all of the required documentation, please speak with an advisor at the ISSO. If you require a new entry
visa while on OPT, be aware that there is no guarantee that you are eligible
for one. You are required to establish non-immigrant intent every time
you apply for a non-immigrant visa. This may be harder to establish when
you are working rather than studying. If you have an expired F-1 entry
visa, speak with an ISSO advisor before planning a trip abroad.
If you will be outside of the U.S. for more than 5 months, you may be required to get a new I-20 from the ISSO prior to returning to the U.S. DHS regulations state that a stay outside of the U.S. for 5 months is considered a break in F-1 status. After an absence of more than five months an F-1 student is no longer admissible to the U.S. as a “continuing student” unless the student was 1) registered at Columbia or 2) enrolled in a study abroad program that gives credit towards the Columbia degree and is sanctioned by the student’s academic advisor during this period. The State Department has decreed that with a five month absence, the F-1 visa that the student holds is considered invalid and the student must apply for a new visa. A new visa application must be accompanied by a new “initial” I-20 and a newly paid SEVIS fee with receipt. If you are leaving the U.S.
and will be outside of the country for more than 5 months, please speak
with an ISSO advisor.
Entry document checklist for dependents: ___ Passport valid for at least 6 months into the future ___ Valid F-2 entry visa ___ I-20 recertified on page 3 within the last 12 months ___ Photocopies of the principal visa holder's passport, I-94 card, and I-20 ** See Documents Required for Re-entry in F-1 Status for document descriptions.
Exit procedures for US-VISIT are still being developed and implemented at airports throughout the U.S. If you see a US-VISIT kiosk in the airport terminal where you are departing, you must complete the exit procedure.
Last Reviewed: 18 June 20009 Last modified: 18 June 20009 |