Travel Signatures for Current Students

Before you leave the U.S., please make sure your I-20 or DS-2019 has been signed for travel by an International Student Advisor (F-1) or Program Sponsor (J-1). Travel signature are only valid for five months.

F-1 students (and J-1 students whose DS-2019 was issued by the University of Oregon) must obtain the travel signature from the office of International Affairs located in 330 Oregon Hall. Bring the following documents to request a travel signature.

• Completed I-20 Request Form and
• Your current, original I-20 or DS-2019; and
• Your unofficial Duckweb transcript, or if this is your first term at the UO, print your class schedule from Duckweb.

J-1 students whose DS-2019 was issued by program sponsor other than the University of Oregon (e.g. IIE, IREX, Fulbright, etc.) must contact the program sponsor to obtain the required travel signature.

Required Documents for Entry to U.S.

• Valid Passport
• Valid F-1 or J-1 visa (except for a short trip to Canada, Mexico and Adjacent Islands; Canadian students do not need a visa)
• Valid I-20 or DS-2019 from the University of Oregon (current students must have a recent signature, within 5 months, from an international student advisor)
• Evidence of adequate finances (bank statement, scholarship award letter, GTF contract)
• Copy of UO unofficial transcript and your current course schedule (current students only)

Note: For information regarding travel while on Optional Practical Training (for F1 students) or Academic Training (for J1 students), please contact a UO International Student Advisor.

If you are outside U.S. for more than 5 months you must request a new I-20. Click here for more information.

Canadian Students: Entering the U.S.

Canadian Students are not required to have a visa to enter the U.S. At the point of entry to the U.S., you should state that you are entering the U.S. for the purpose of studying. Please be sure to obtain an I-94 card (arrival and departure record) from the immigration officer and request that s/he stamp your I-20 or DS-2019. You may be required to present the following documents at the port of entry:

• I-20 (or DS-2019) from the University of Oregon
• Proof of payment of the SEVIS fee
• Canadian passport
• Verification of financial resources (bank statement, GTF contract, scholarship award letter, etc.)

F-2 or J-2 Dependent Travel

Dependents in F-2 or J-2 generally need the same documents to re-enter the U.S. as the primary F-1 or J-1 student. Be sure to obtain a travel signature on the dependent I-20 or DS-2019 in order to re-enter the U.S.

Dependents are not required to travel with the primary F-1 or J-1 student. In addition, dependents may remain in the U.S. without the primary as long as the F-1 or J-1 maintains their current status and will return after a temporary absence (generally 30 days or less) using the same SEVIS ID number.

Trips to Mexico, Canada & Adjacent U.S. Islands

To facilitate entry into Canada or Mexico as a visitor, you must carry all the documents listed above except for a valid F-1 or J-1 visa stamp for some students.

A visitor's visa may be required to enter Mexico, Canada & Adjacent Islands, depending on your country of citizenship. If you are planning a trip to Canada or Mexico, you should contact a consulate office to determine whether a visa is required prior to your trip.

Mexican Consulate
Canadian Consulate

Many students may travel to Canada, Mexico and Adjacent Islands and re-enter the U.S. on an expired F-1 or J-1 visa if the trip does not exceed 30 days (this is referred to as Automatic Revalidation). Citizens of Iran, Syria, Sudan, and Cuba are not eligible for this benefit and must be in possession of a valid F-1 or J-1 visa to enter or re-enter the U.S. at all times. Automatic Revalidation, or entry on expired visa, does not apply when a student applies for, and is denied, a new F-1 or J-1 visa.

US-VISIT Program

The US-VISIT program, operational at most major U.S. airports and seaports, tracks foreign visitors to the U.S. through the use of biometrics (=measurable, physical characteristics used to recognize identities such as fingerprints and facial features.)

When students and their dependents in F/J status enter the U.S., immigration officers continue to review their travel documents (i.e. passport, SEVIS I-20, visa, etc.) In addition, they take the non-immigrants' fingerprints (with inkless fingerprint scanner) and a digital photograph of their face.

When non-immigrants depart the U.S., they are required to "check out" at an exit kiosk at the port of departure. The exit procedures have not been fully implemented. Non-immigrants are expected to complete the exit procedures where the exit kiosks and attendants are available in some major U.S. ports.

Special Registration (NSEERS)

Under Special Registration (NSEERS: National Security Entry-Exit Registration System), non-immigrants from certain countries are required to:

1. Register with immigration authorities at a port of entry.
2. Report to DHS for additional in-person interviews if instructed by the Port-of-Entry official.
3. Notify immigration authorities of changes of residential address by updating address in Duckweb.
4. Use specially designated ports when leaving the U.S. and report in person to an immigration officer at the port on their departure date.

Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Egypt, Eritrea, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen