Are you traveling outside the U.S. over winter break?
Plan ahead and request your travel signature now as ISSS will be closed for winter break.
- All I-20 and DS-2019 travel signatures are issued electronically; ISSS advisors will not sign your document in-person.
- Typicaly ISSS processing is 2-5 business days.
Travel Signatures
A valid travel signature is required to enter the U.S. in F-1/F-2 and J-1/J-2 status.
- A travel signature is generally valid for re-entry to the U.S. within one year from the date it is received or until the end date on the I-20 or DS-2019, whichever comes first.Â
- Exception: A travel signature for students authorized for OPT is only valid for six months.Â
Please check your I-20 (p.2) or DS-2019 (p.1) to see when you last received a travel signature.
- If, on the date you will re-enter the U.S., your travel signature will be more than one year old or six months old if you are on OPT, then you must obtain a new travel signature from an ISSS advisor and travel with the newly signed document when you seek to re-enter the United States.
- Individuals who seek to re-enter the U.S. without a valid travel signature may be denied re-entry.
Obtaining a New Travel Signature
- Â鶹ÒùÔº in F-1 status, complete the I-20 Reprint Request e-form (available in MyISSS portal).
- Â鶹ÒùÔº with F-1 Status and Dependents with F-2 Status:
- ISSS will reprint and email you a new I-20 with a new travel signature.
- Print the I-20, sign it in ink in the Student Attestation section at the bottom of p.1 and carry it with you when you travel to the United States.
- ISSS will reprint and email you a new I-20 with a new travel signature.
- Â鶹ÒùÔº with F-1 Status and Dependents with F-2 Status:
- Â鶹ÒùÔº in J-1 status, complete the DS-2019 Reprint Request e-form (available in MyISSS portal).
- Â鶹ÒùÔº with J-1 Status and Dependents with J-2 Status:
- ISSS will reprint and email you a new DS-2019 with a new travel signature.
- Print the DS-2019, sign it in ink in the Exchange Visitor Certification section at the bottom of p.1 and carry it with you when you travel to the United States.
- ISSS will reprint and email you a new DS-2019 with a new travel signature.
- Â鶹ÒùÔº with J-1 Status and Dependents with J-2 Status:
Your Return Travel
Plan ahead and travel smart! Please review the following resources:
It is highly recommended that students travel with their proof of full-time enrollment.