Travel and Reentry

Current Students

Travel within the United States

You may travel freely within the United States including Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories such as American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands while you are in valid immigration status. You should have photocopies of the following documents with you when traveling within the U.S.:

  • Printout of form I-20 or DS-2019 issued by DU
  • Unexpired passport
  • Printout of form I-94 Admission Record (Print from CBP website)
  • EAD card, if applicable

Travel outside the United States

You may leave the United States and return at any time during your program, provided you are still in valid immigration status when you return and you have been absent from the country for less than five months.

When re-entering the United States after traveling abroad, you must present the following at the Port of Entry:

  • Printout of form I-20 or DS-2019 issued by DU with unexpired travel signature (see below for details)
  • Unexpired passport valid for the next six months
  • Unexpired and valid U.S. entry visa * (note: ISSS is not able to assit with applying for visas in other countries. The country's embassy website in the United States would be the best place to start)

* If you are traveling to Canada, Mexico, or certain contiguous territories for less than 30 days, and you are not a foreign national of certain countries designated by the Department of State, you may be permitted to re-enter the United States with an expired visa. For more information, review the Automatic Revalidation of Visa section of the Visa Renewal page.

ISSS recommends limiting unnecessary international travel until we are able to learn more specific details about the plans of this presidential administration. ISSS will alert all F-1 and J-1 students through the Globe and direct email communication should there be any new policies that will impact international travel for our international populations. Please check your DU email account regularly.

  • Travel Signature

    Your Form I-20 or DS-2019 must have an unexpired travel signature in order for you to request re-entry into the United States. The travel endorsement is valid for one year from the signature date, unless you are on F-1 Optional Practical Training, in which case it is valid for six months.

    Travel signatures can be requested through the ISSS Portal. In the Control Center, choose the Travel Signature and Reprint Request. ISSS will generate a new Form I-20 or DS-2019 instead of signing your existing document.

  • Travel while on OPT

    Once a student's academic program is completed, it is still possible to travel and reenter the United States as an F-1 student if returning to use the Optional Practical Training benefit.

    Students in F-1 status who have been approved for Optional Practical Training are allowed to travel and reenter the U.S. to start or resume employment. They should be prepared to present the following documents when seeking to reenter the United States:

    • Printout of form I-20 issued by DU with OPT remark on Page 2 AND with valid travel signature less than 6 months old
    • Unexpired passport valid for the next six months
    • Unexpired F-1 entry visa *
    • Valid EAD Card
    • Evidence that you have a job or a job offer in the United States ‡

     

    If you have exceeded the unemployment limits (over 90 days during for Post-Completion OPT or 150 days for the STEM OPT Extension), we do not recommend travel since you are in violation of your F-1 status. Please contact ISSS in this situation.

    * If you are traveling to Canada, Mexico, or certain contiguous territories for less than 30 days, and you are not a foreign national of certain countries designated by the Department of State, you may be permitted to re-enter the United States with an expired visa. For more information, review the Automatic Revalidation of Visa Validity section of our Visa Renewal page.

    ‡ Students with a valid OPT EAD who do not have a job or job offer will likely be allowed to reenter the United States. However, there is some risk since federal guidance states that only F-1 students on OPT who have a job or job offer are admissible.

  • Register Your DU Travel

    All DU students, faculty, and staff traveling for University-related academic and business activities abroad (including to home country) are required to register their travel in DU Passport at least two weeks prior to departure.

    • University-related activities include but are not limited to:
    • Academic research
    • Conference or workshop attendance
    • Participating in an internship
    • Externship or practicum
    • Study abroad, faculty-led, or student-led program
    • Travel for athletics

    By registering in DU Passport, the University can assist in an emergency situation abroad, provide important travel resources prior to departure, and better track the international efforts of all DU members.

  • Public Health Travel Restrictions

    Requirements and recommendations for traveling to the U.S. can change quickly. Your airline and the U.S. Center for Disease Control's (CDC) International Travel page will be good sources of the current travel conditions.