If you travel out of the U.S. while you are in F-1 or J-1 status, your visa document must be signed on the part of the document designated "for re-entry of student..." by one of the designated school officials at the International Center in order for you to be permitted to re-enter the U.S. (Endorsement is typically good for one year of travel, unless you have graduated and are on post-completion practical training, in which case it is only valid for 6 months.) To request this signature, drop off your I-20 or DS-2019 at the I-Center 2nd floor reception desk. It will be signed and you can pick it up the following business day. A valid visa stamp in your passport is also required for re-entry. If your visa stamp has expired, you will need to go to the U.S. consulate (outside of the U.S.) to apply for the new visa stamp. If you have graduated and are on post-completion practical training, you are also required to show your EAD card and an employer's letter showing evidence of employment or a job offer.

WARNING: Whenever you apply to the U.S. consulate for a new entry visa stamp, you always run the risk that your application may be denied. It is not recommended that you apply for a visa stamp at a U.S. consulate in a country of which you are not a citizen. If you apply for a visa outside of your home country and are denied, you cannot enter the U.S. and must return from that country to your home country.

Visa stamp applicants are normally required to submit the following documentation:

1. valid passport
2. current passport-size photographs
3. valid Form I-20 for F-1 visa holders or valid Form DS-2019 for J-1 visa holders
4. proof of financial support
5. non-immigrant visa application, available from the U.S. consulate abroad
6. a valid EAD card and an employer's letter showing evidence of employment or a job offer if the student is on F-1 post-completion practical training

It is also advisable for continuing students to submit copies of transcripts or an academic advisor's letter stating that the student is making good progress toward the degree and explaining the nature of any research. You may also wish to obtain a personalized copy of this letter concerning "Fundamental Research At Stanford.". If you have any questions concerning this letter, please discuss them with an advisor at the Bechtel International Center.

All travelers who plan to re-enter the U.S. require a (1) valid passport, (2) a new or properly endorsed valid I-20 (for F-1 visa holders) or DS-2019 (for J-1 visa holders), and a (3) valid F-1 or J-1 visa stamp. If the dates, degree level, and major or department information indicated on your I-20 or DS-2019 are still valid, it is not necessary for the I-Center to prepare a new visa document.

Contiguous Territory & Adjacent Islands

After initial entry to the U.S., persons who have single-entry or expired multiple-entry visas may re-enter the U.S. without obtaining a new visa under the following conditions:

1. their travel is solely to a contiguous territory (Canada or Mexico) or adjacent islands (excluding Cuba) and their travel is for a period not exceeding 30 days.
2. the student has retained the I-94 card
3. the student's I-20/DS-2019 has been properly endorsed
4. the student has not applied for a new visa at the U.S. consulate with the result of that application being either a denial or a delay of more than 30 days
5. the student has an valid EAD card and an employer's letter showing evidence of employment or a job offer if on F-1 post-completion practical training
6. the student is not a citizen of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan, North Korea, Cuba, or Syria

For travel to contiguous territory or islands adjacent to the U.S., travelers should have, in addition to their passport and properly endorsed I-20 or DS-2019, a valid Form I-94 (white card usually stapled to the passport, known as the "arrival/departure record"). However, you will not be able to re-enter the U.S. if you have a newly reissued passport which does not have any U.S. visa stamps; therefore, in this case you should carry both the expired and the new passport.

CAUTION: The instruction for filling out form I-94 (arrival / departure record) state that:
"The departure portion of Form I-94 and passport is to be in the applicant's possession at all times until the applicant departs the United States. " If you plan to travel even within the U.S., it is also advised that along with your I-94 card and valid passport, you travel with your original I-20 (or DS-2019 for J-1 visa holders).

PLEASE NOTE: You may be required to have a visa from either Canada or Mexico to enter those countries. The visa you have for the United States does not automatically grant entry into these countries. If you are in doubt, contact the Canadian or Mexican consulates. The phone number for the Mexican consulate in San Francisco is 415/392-5554/56.

The Canadian consulate in Los Angeles handles all visas to Canada. That consulate's phone number is: 213/346-2700. Please allow enough time before your travel for visa processing.

See also: FAQ - Traveling: F-1 and J-1 status