Travel Outside the USA

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

Visa Revocation following an Arrest: The U.S. Department of State is revoking visa foils ("stamps") of foreign nationals following a conviction or an arrest for driving under the influence (DUI), driving while intoxicated (DWI), or a related criminal charge. Individuals are notified of their visa cancellation by email (the email address used on the visa application). An individual in nonimmigrant status whose visa has been prudentially revoked will have to obtain a new visa in order to be readmitted to the United States after temporary travel abroad. In order for the visa to be issued, the foreign national will first need to be cleared by a panel physician following a medical screening, which may result in a visa denial or delay. A student who has their visa revoked should talk to an immigration attorney.
 We strongly suggest you speak to an international student advisor if you have been arrested.

Travel Endorsement Request

Before your departure, you should obtain a new travel endorsement from CIE by completing and submitting the Travel Endorsement Request Form to cie@csueastbay.edu. CIE will process your request (processing time is 2-4 business days) and email you an updated I-20 with a travel endorsement. You must PRINT and sign page 1 of your I-20 by hand. You must present your valid I-20 with travel signature and passport when entering the United States. 

We recommend you obtain a new travel endorsement every 6 months. Students on OPT/OPT STEM- travel endorsements are only valid for 6 months. 

Traveling Outside the USA

If you do decide to travel outside the USA you will need the following documents in order to return:

  1. Valid passport- the expiration date should be at least six months into the future at any given time.
  2. Valid F-1 visa- if your F-1 visa is expired, you must apply for a new one at a U.S. embassy or consulate prior to your return.  (Note: Canadian citizens do not need a visa stamp.)
  3. Endorsed I-20- Page two should be signed by a CIE advisor within 6 months of your return travel date. Please submit the Travel Endorsement Request Form to CIE via email 

We also recommend you take your official transcript, a printout of next semester's enrollment and proof of financial verification.

Please note that if you are currently placed on academic probation, your travel endorsement request will not be processed until semester grades and academic standing is updated. 

If you decide to travel while on OPT/STEM you will need the following documents to return to the US:

  1. Valid passport- the expiration date should be at least six months into the future at any given time.
  2. Valid F-1 visa- if your F-1 visa is expired, you must apply for a new one at a U.S. embassy or consulate prior to your return.  (Note: Canadian citizens do not need a visa stamp.)
  3. Endorsed I-20- Page two should list your employer's information and be signed by a CIE advisor within the last six months.
  4. Valid EAD card
  5. Evidence of a job offer or resumption of employment.  If you are returning to the U.S without evidence of a job offer, you may be questioned at the port of entry.

If your employer has filed for H-1B on your behalf, check with your employer about any travel plans as leaving the U.S. while an H-1B application is pending may jeopardize your application

It is very important to work with CIE to address the Form I-515A within the 30 days given to you. It is serious and can become a problem if you do not address the matter. Not taking action could mean that you will not be able to remain in the United States.

If you receive a Form I-515A, you must do the following, immediately:

  1. Contact a CIE advisor the next business day after arriving in the U.S.
  2. Respond to the I-515A Notice with the help of a CIE advisor.
  3. Submit required documents to CBP within 30 days of your entry date.

If you fail to complete any required actions or send all of the required documents to SEVP within 30 days of entering the U.S., your SEVIS record and I-20 may be Terminated. If your SEVIS record and I-20 are Terminated, you will be required to leave the United States immediately or file for Reinstatement to F-1 status with USCIS, if you are eligible. 

If you are only traveling to Canada or Mexico for a period of less than 30 days, you may be eligible to re-enter the US on the basis of an expired visa in your passport under a process called “automatic visa revalidation.”

In order to take advantage of Automatic Revalidation all of the following must apply:

  • The visit is ONLY to Canada or Mexico and you may NOT travel to any other country.
  • You did not apply for a new US visa stamp while in Canada/Mexico.
  • Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your date of re-entry to the U.S., unless your country is a member of the so-called “six-month club.”
  • You must possess an unexpired I-94 record* or admission stamp.
  • You must apply for readmission to the U.S. within the authorized period of your immigration status.
  • You must have maintained and intend to resume your non-immigrant status.

NOTE: When exiting the U.S. for Automatic Revalidation do not surrender your I-94—you will need it for reentry.

Automatic revalidation is not available to nationals from countries identified as state sponsors of terrorism. Individuals who apply for a new visa in Canada and/or Mexico, but are denied such a visa, are also not eligible to benefit from the automatic visa revalidation option.

We recommend that individuals planning to re-enter the US under the automatic visa revalidation process carry with them a copy of the relevant regulations.

If you will be traveling by air, you should confirm that your airline is familiar with the visa revalidation process and will issue you a boarding pass when returning to the US even though you have an expired US visa in your passport.