Travel and Re-Entry Guidance

The International Student and Scholars office can help you prepare for a safe travel experience and for a smother return to the U.S.

Contact our office if you have any questions at cie-student@csulb.edu and review Travel | ICE for further travel considerations.

The U.S. government requires proof of alien registration pursuant to INA 264 (e) when traveling inside the U.S. territory. With this in mind, it is strongly recommended that you carry the following documents with you:

  • Passport, valid at all times
  • I-94, obtained through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection
    • admission stamp in passport also acceptable.
  • I-20 or DS-2019, issued by the International Student and Scholar’s Office
  • Valid Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Form I-766, if you are approved for Post-Completion OPT or STEM OPT.

Ensure that you have access to digital copies or photocopies of these documents for reference. These recommendations will help you comply with the INA 264 requirements.

International travel requires preparation in advance, especially if you plan to travel to a location other than you home-country. 

  • Check with the embassy or consulate of the country that you plan to visit to learn about any travel restrictions or requirements.
  • Consult the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Travel FAQs,  for detail information about common international travel questions and situations that students and scholars may encounter. 
  • Carry the required documents as recommended by your current student or scholar status. 

To re-enter the U.S. after a temporary absence (less than 5 months), students must hold valid immigration status and carry the documents listed below:

  • Valid Passport (valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of the re-entry to the U.S.)
  • Valid F-1/J-1 student visa in passport (except students from Canada)
  • I-20/DS-2019 with a valid travel signature
    • A travel signature is valid for 12 months, as long as you continue to maintain valid F-1 status.

Suggested supporting documents:

  • Financial Support documents
  • SEVIS I-901 fee receipt
  • CSULB Acceptance Letter (for new students)
  • CSULB transcript or proof of course enrollment (for continuing students)
  • Proof of U.S. mailing address, for example, copy of your lease, CA ID, CA Driver’s license (for continuing students)
  • Contact information of International Students and Scholars.

To re-enter the U.S. after a temporary absence (less than 5 months), students must hold valid immigration status and carry the documents listed below:

  • I-20 with a valid travel signature. 
    • Travel signatures while in OPT are valid for 6 months.
  • Valid Passport (valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of the re-entry to the U.S.)
  • Valid F-1/J-1 student visa in passport (except students from Canada)
  • Unexpired EAD or a copy of the OPT Receipt/Approval Notice, if the EAD has not yet arrived.
  • Letter from your current or prospective employer verifying that you are returning to the United States to continue or to accept new employment.
  • Contact information of your DSO.

Additional considerations:

  • Make sure you have not exceeded unemployment time and that you continue to maintain F-1 status by fulfilling all mandatory reporting requirements.
  • Traveling internationally while your OPT application is pending is not recommended. Speak to an international student advisor if you have questions about this. 

International travelers visiting the United States can apply for or retrieve their I-94 admission number/record (which is proof of legal visitor status) as well as retrieve a limited travel history of their U.S. arrivals and departures. 

Upon re-entering the U.S. by air, land, or sea with your F-1, or J-1 Visa, you must retrieve your I-94 record from the I-94 Website and review the accuracy of your re-entry information. 

Automatic Revalidation

F and J student traveling to Canada, Mexico or an adjacent island (expect Cuba) for 30 days or less may be eligible to renter the U.S. with a valid I-94 and expired via. Please review the automatic revalidation information from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or speak with an ISS advisor for further information.

Secondary Inspection/Additional Questioning

If a CBP officer cannot verify your documents or has additional questions, you may be asked to go to an area called secondary inspection. At secondary inspection, you will be asked additional questions to verify your immigration status or other information.

Form I-515A

Form I-515A, also known as “Notice to Student or Exchange Visitor”, allows you to have temporary admission into the United States for 30 days. To learn more, visit What is a Form I-515A?

As an F or J visa holder, you may be issued the Form I-515 to the discretion of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer.

The form I-515 is an alternative to denying your entry to the U.S. It may be issued to you if you arrive at a U.S. port of entry and do not have all your signed required documents, have not paid the I-901 SEVIS Fee on your current Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” or have a Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) status issue.

Contact an ISS advisor immediately upon entry if you received the form I-515A.

The Department of Homeland Security Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP) is a single point of contact for individuals who have had difficulties during travel screenings at transportation hubs such as airports or U.S. borders. These difficulties include:

  • Denied or delayed airline boarding,
  • Repeated additional screening, or
  • Denied or delayed entry into the United States, via airport, border crossing, or seaport.

People who have been denied or delayed airline boarding; have been denied or delayed entry into or exit from the U.S. at a port of entry or border crossing; or have been repeatedly referred to additional (secondary) screening can file an inquiry to seek redress. You can find more information about this process at Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP) | Homeland Security

  • Electronic Devices & Social Media –

U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officers are authorized to inspect any non-citizen’s cell phone and social media accounts to look for evidence of unauthorized work, marriage fraud and other immigration violations to find proof of immigration fraud and fitness of moral character. The Customs Officer can review your social media, texts, voice mails, photos and any other digital data stored on your cellphone.

To learn more, please refer to ACLU’s article.