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Are You Traveling to an Area Without DUO MFA?
If you are traveling to any of the following areas you may have limited access to your Â鶹´«Ã½Services (including Email):
- Cuba (CU)
- North Korea - Democratic People's Republic of Korea (KP)
- Iran (IR)
- Sudan (SD)
- Syria (SY)
- Crimea region (43)
- Donetsk region (14)
- Luhansk region (09)
- Sevastopol region (40)
See our page on Information For Areas with Limited Â鶹´«Ã½Service Access?for tips!
What is a Travel Signature?
A Travel Signature is an additional signature located on your I-20 or DS-2019 document that confirms that you are maintaining your F-1 or J-1 status and have been authorized to temporarily leave the United States while you are in your F-1 or J-1 program.
It is required on-hand upon arrival into the U.S. after returning from abroad.
Failure to have a Travel Signature on your most recent I-20 or DS-2019 document may result in you being denied entry into the U.S.
1. Why and When Do I Need a Travel Signature?
Travel Signatures are required if you are a continuing student and are planning to travel outside of the United States and return to continue your F-1 or J-1 program
This includes:
- Spring/Summer/Winter break
- If you are on F-1 Post Completion OPT or J-1 Post Completion Academic Training
- Dependents traveling outside of the United States and intending to return.
A travel signature must be on your latest valid I-20 or DS-2019 document, even if you still have a valid travel signature on a previous I-20 document.
Example: If you have an I-20 with a travel signature that is still valid, but you recently changed major and received a new I-20, the NEW I-20 must have a travel signature if you wish to travel outside the US.
2. When Do I Not Need a Travel Signature?
Travel signatures are not required if:
- the student is?traveling within the United States.?
- The student has graduated or is withdrawing from their program and is?not planning to return to the United States.
3. How Long A Travel Signature is Valid For?
- F-1 Student/F-2 Dependent for F-1 not on OPT: 12 months
- F-1 Student/F-2 Dependent for F-1 on OPT or STEM OPT: 6 months
- J-1 Student/J-2 Dependent: 12 months
5. How do I Request a Travel Signature?
Planning to Study Abroad or do graduate research abroad? F-1 Students are required to submit an ISS Request for "Enrollment While Abroad/Away" in addition to the Travel Signature Request.
To request a travel signature please submit an ISS Request for a "Travel Signature".
Please make sure your?U.S. Local Physical Address?(Current Residence) is up to date at and Permanent Address (Foreign Address) is updated with the ?before submitting requests.
Some common items added as notes?include -
-
- If you need a new document because your previous I-20/DS-2019 was lost, stolen, or damaged (Please specify which).
- If you are unable to print your document while you are outside of the U.S. please include the reason you cannot print outside the U.S. The ISS Office will use this information to ensure you get your documents when you will need it.
- The ISS office currently will only distribute travel signatures electronically the request. If you require an I-20 through alternate means make sure to provide the reason and the request for how you would need to receive your I-20 in this field. You may be contacted for follow-up before your request can be approved.
6. What Should I Remember for Travel?
To re-enter into the United States, you will need:
- A valid passport (> 6 months from date of re-entry)
- A valid visa (except for Canadian students)????
- Signed I-20 or DS-2019 form
- (For Students on OPT) Valid EAD
Note for Students on OPT:?In addition to the above, OPT employment that¡¯s reported into SEVP Portal Account as well as proof of employment, such as pay stubs, job offer letter and employment verification letter.
For your security, documents should be with you and not in any checked in luggage.