Travel outside the U.S.
Travel outside of the U.S. for a short period of time while you are studying, researching, or working at Clark should be possible if you are maintaining status and your immigration documents are valid and unexpired. See below for travel information specific to your visa category and status at Clark (F-1, J-1, or H1-B).
If you are traveling to a country other than your passport country, you must determine whether you need a visa to enter that country. You should visit the embassy website of your destination country for more information.
Please keep in mind that Clark University and the ISSO can never guarantee entry into the United States.
Enrolled students
Important documents to bring with you
It is important that you carry the following documents with you if you plan to return to the United States in F-1 or J-1 student status after a temporary absence abroad:
Required Documents
- Unexpired passport that will be valid at least six months into the future on the day you return to the United States
- Unexpired F-1 or J-1 visa
- Unexpired Form I-20 or DS-2019 with a travel signature from an ISSO adviser dated within the past year. Visit the Travel Signature section of this site for more instructions.
Recommended Documents
- Evidence of current enrollment at Clark University, such as an Enrollment Verification Letter or Transcript
- Evidence of financial ability to cover estimated costs, such as a bank statement, certificate of deposit, or recent scholarship letter
- J-1 students on post-completion academic training: proof of employment
Extended Leaves
Please notify the ISSO if you plan to travel outside of the U.S. for any of these reasons:
- A leave of absence
- A study abroad experience
- Termination or withdrawal from the University
These situations may impact your F-1 status and your ability to return to the United States as a student. Speak with an ISSO adviser if you are planning an extended time away from the University. You do not need to notify the ISSO if you travel during regularly scheduled school breaks.
F-1 Students on Post-Completion OPT or STEM Extension OPT
Required Documents
If you are an F-1 student who has completed their studies at Clark University and are on Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) or STEM OPT Extension, you need to have the following documents with you to return to the United States after a short, temporary absence abroad:
- Unexpired passport that will be valid at least six months into the future on the day you return to the United States
- Unexpired F-1 visa
- Unexpired I-20 (for F-1 students) with a travel signature from an ISSO adviser from the past six months)
- Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Card
- Proof of Employment
Note: The ISSO does not recommend that you travel outside of the United States while your application for Post-Completion OPT or STEM OPT is pending with USCIS. For more information please see SEVP’s Travel Frequently Asked Questions.
Contact the ISSO if you have questions about travel.
Re-entry into the United States
- When you return to the U.S., you will go through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) where a CBP officer will review your I-20 or DS-2019, F-1 or J-1 visa, and your passport. Do NOT use another visa to enter the U.S. as an F-1 or J-1 student. If you enter the U.S. under another visa, you may become ineligible to continue studying.
- Be sure to check your I-94 admission record AFTER you go through Customs and Border Protection to verify that all the information is correct: visa type, name, and “admit until date.” Your “admit until date” should indicate duration of status, or “D/S.”
- If you experience any issues when you re-enter the United States, you can contact University Police, and the dispatcher will get in touch with an adviser from the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) to assist you.
- Clark University Police Emergency Number: 1-508-793-7575
International scholars and employees
Current J-1 exchange visitors (visiting scholars, professors, and researchers)
Required Documents
Make sure you bring the required documents if you are returning to the U.S. as a J-1 exchange visitor (visiting scholars, professors, and researchers):
- Unexpired passport valid at least six months into the future on the date of your return to the U.S.
- Unexpired J-1 entry visa issued by a U.S. consulate (Canadian citizens do not typically need entry visas to enter the U.S.)
- Unexpired Form DS-2019 with a travel signature from an ISSO adviser not more than one year old. Visit the ISSO Portal to request a travel signature.
Recommended Documents
- Evidence of the purpose of your J-1 activity at Clark, such as your appointment or invitation letter, a brief letter from your department or supervisor confirming your current role at Clark, or copies of paychecks (for J-1 exchange visitors employed by Clark)
Contact the ISSO regarding extended travel plans or changes to your J-1 program.
Given the complex nature of immigration regulations and travel, it is important to discuss with the ISSO if you any of the following situations apply to you:
- You are planning an extended absence from the U.S. (example sabbatical, leave from the University)
- You will need to renew your visa while abroad
- You plan to complete your J-1 program more than 15 days before the program end date on your DS-2019
Current international employees (H-1B, TN, O-1, E-3)
Plan your travel carefully if you hold non-immigrant status such as H-1B, TN, O-1, or E-3 as the regulations are complex and change frequently. In general, you will need the following documents to re-enter the U.S. after an international trip:
Required Documents
- Unexpired passport that will be valid at least six months into the future on the date of your return to the U.S.
- Unexpired entry visa issued by a U.S. consulate (*note: Canadian citizens do not typically need entry visas to enter the U.S.)
- Copy of USCIS Form I-797 approval notice indicating approval of your non-immigrant status
- Proof of ongoing employment at Clark, such as a letter from your department manager or supervisor and/or copies of your recent paystubs from Clark
We recommend consulting with the ISSO before making any travel plans.
Travel signatures
F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors (students and scholars) are required to have a valid travel signature on their Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 when entering the United States. If you do not have a Clark-sponsored visa, you must request your travel signature from your program sponsor. For more information about travel, visit the Department of Homeland Security’s Study in the States page.
- Travel signatures are generally valid for one year or until the program end date on your I-20 or Form DS-2019, whichever comes first. However, the ISSO recommends getting a travel signature every six months.
- Travel signatures are valid for six months for students on Post-Completion OPT and STEM OPT Extension.
- You are not required to have a travel signature to depart the United States; travel signatures are only required for you to re-enter the U.S. to continue your studies, Academic Training period, or OPT period.
Note: You must be maintaining your F-1 or J-1 status. You do not qualify for a travel signature on your I-20 or Form DS-2019 if:
- Your I-20 is in Initial, Transfer, or Change of Education Level status.
- You take a leave of absence from Clark that is not for an approved study abroad experience
- You have been withdrawn from Clark
- You have transferred your SEVIS record to another school.
- You are in violation of your F-1 or J-1 status.
Requesting a travel signature
If you have a Clark-sponsored visa, submit your request for a travel signature (I-20 or DS-2019) through the ISSO Portal here.
- F-1 students: Select I-20 Reprint Request and choose “travel” as the reprint reason
- J-1 exchange visitors: Select DS-2019 Reprint Request
Please note that, F-1 I-20 holders and J-1 DS-2019 holders are permitted to travel with an I-20 or DS-2019 that has been electronically signed.
- If you are an F-1 or J-1 student and you requested a travel signature on your Form I-20 or DS-2019, you will receive an email notifying you when your travel document is ready to download from the ISSO Portal. Please make sure to download, print, sign, and keep a copy of this newest reprint for your records.
Travel in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, or Caribbean
Travel within the U.S.
If you are traveling outside of your immediate residential area, the ISSO suggests that you carry the following documents with you:
- Valid, unexpired passport
- Valid, unexpired Form I-20 (F-1 students) or Form DS-2019 (J-1 exchange visitors)
- A printout of your most recent I-94
- Other evidence of your immigration status and activity at Clark, such as an appointment letter or Enrollment Verification Letter
Note: Domestic travel includes travel to Puerto Rico and Guam.
Travel to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean on an expired Visa
If you are traveling to any other country, it is important for you to determine whether you need a visa to enter that country. Visit that country’s embassy website for information.
You may be allowed to exit and return to the United States with an expired visa if you travel to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean. To meet the qualifications for “automatic revalidation,” your travel must meet the following requirements:
- You are traveling directly to and from Canada, Mexico, or the adjacent Islands.
- Your trip is 30 days or less.
- You have a non-immigrant U.S. visa (even if expired).
- You hold a valid I-94 that indicates your current non-immigrant status.
- The purpose of your travel was NOT to apply for a new F-1, J-1, or H1-B visa at a United States consulate in one of those locations.
To return to the U.S., you must also have a valid I-20 or DS-2019 with travel signature, or an I-797 approval notice showing you have been approved for H1-B status. It is recommended that you consult with the ISSO before attempting to re-enter the U.S. with an expired visa from Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean.
Visa renewal
If you currently hold non-immigrant status at Clark such as F-1 student, J-1 scholar, or H1-B employee, you must have an unexpired U.S. visa (F, J, or H) in order to enter the United States.
If your current F, J, or H visa will or has expired, you must get a new visa (F, J, or H) if you are outside the United States and want to return to Clark to continue your studies or employment at the University.
Note: If you are a Canadian citizen, you generally do not need a visa in your passport to enter the United States.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I apply for my new visa?
- Visas are only issued at U.S. consulates or embassies outside of the United States. You need a visa if you are outside of the U.S. and intend to enter or re-enter the U.S. to start or continue your employment or studies at Clark. You CANNOT apply for a visa from within the United States.
- Each U.S. consulate or embassy has its own processes and procedures. Check with the U.S. consulate or embassy near where you will apply to learn more from them. Usually, you will need to apply for a new visa at a U.S. consulate or embassy in your country of citizenship or permanent residence. Questions about how to apply for a visa should be directed to the consulate or embassy where you are applying for your non-immigrant visa.
How do I apply for my visa?
- Please visit Clark’s resource on “Applying for a Visa.”
- Helpful information about the process and rules for studying in the United States as an international student can be found on Study in the States.
I am a student enrolled at Clark or on Post-Completion OPT and my visa has expired, does that mean I have to leave the United States?
No, you do not need to leave the U.S. F-1 and J-1 students are admitted to the United States for Duration of Status. This means that you can remain in the United States as long as you have a valid Form I-20 or DS-2019 and are maintaining your nonimmigrant status.
My visa is expiring next week, can I still use it to enter the U.S.?
As long as the expiration date on your visa has not passed and your visa has not been canceled, you may use it to enter the United States. Keep in mind that you must enter the U.S. using a visa consistent with your purpose for entering the U.S. For example, if you have an F-1 student visa and you want to use your F-1 visa to enter the U.S. to continue your studies or OPT experience, you can use your visa.
Inviting family and friends
You may want to invite your family, friends, or relatives to visit while you are an international student or exchange visitor at Clark University. In most cases, short-term visitors to the United States must have a valid B-1/B-2 (visitor’s) visa, or be eligible to visit the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). If your visitor needs to apply for their B-1/B-2 visa, they must do so at a U.S. consulate or embassy. You can learn more about the visitor visa program and how to apply here.
The ISSO does not issue invitation letters, as the U.S. State Department does not require them or consider them a fact when making a determination whether to issue or deny a visa. The ISSO is not authorized to provide advice on the B-1/B-2 visa process, but is able to provide the following general information that may be helpful for your family or friends who plan to visit you:
- The B-1/B-2 visa is for persons who are interested in coming to the United States for short-term, temporary trips for either business (B-1) or tourism or medical treatments (B-2).
- Applicants are required to show that their visit to the United States will be a temporary one and that they will retain connections to their home country, including keeping it as their country of residence.
- Examples of home country ties include proof of employment, home country family, and property, as well as proof of a return date (e.g., a return trip ticket).
While not required or recommended by the U.S. Department of State, you may want to issue a personal invitation written and signed by you. The ISSO provides a sample invitation letter template as a courtesy but cannot guarantee that your visitor will have their visa approved. Along with the invitation letter, you may want to provide documentation of your student status such as a copy of your Form I-20 or Form DS-2019, Enrollment Verification Letter, or Transcript to your visitor for their visa application process.
