Travel

You should request a signature by completing the online Travel Signature Request in the ISSS Portal. Your request will be processed within 10 business days. F-1 students will receive an automatic notification from the ISSS Portal when the I-20 has been uploaded to your request. Always print, sign, and date your I-20 document as soon as you retrieve it. J-1 students will be provided deliving/pick-up options in the request itself.

Your visa can expire and you can remain in the U.S. However, if you travel outside of the U.S., you will need a new visa before you can re-enter.

ISSS cannot assist you in obtaining a new visa. You cannot apply for a U.S. visa from within the U.S. You must apply at a U.S. consulate/embassy abroad. ISSS highly reccommends you apply from your home country. If you choose to apply for your visa in a different country, ISSS reccommends you contact the consulate to confirm they accept Third Country National (TCN) visa applications. Visit our Visa Information page for further details.

You should bring all the items mentioned in the visa application link below for your status.

• F-1 Visa Application Information
• J-1 Visa Application Information

You should also bring any other items listed on the website of the specific consulate where you will apply.

At minimum, you will be asked to show your:

• Passport
• Original I-20 or DS-2019
• Official acceptance letter
• Receipt for payment of the SEVIS I-901 fee
• Proof of financial support

We also recommend that you:

• Confirm you have a valid travel signature.
• Request official transcripts and/or an enrollment verfication letter from the Registrar’s Office.
• Print your SEVIS fee receipt. If you have been outside the US for 5 months or more or if your SEVIS number has changed, you may be required to pay the SEVIS fee again.
• Bring proof of finances. Students should be able to verify the amount shown as the total on their I-20/DS-2019 with financial documents such as a bank statement, Graduate Assistantship offer letter, or scholarship award letter.

When traveling abroad, be sure to carry your immigration documents with you rather than putting them away in your checked luggage. You must be able to show your papers quickly at various points during your trip.

It is recommended that you carry the following documents with you when traveling abroad:

• I-20/DS-2019 with a valid travel signature.
• Passport valid for 6 months past your date of re-entry.
• Valid U.S. F-1/J-1 visa (citizens of Canada and Bermuda do not need a visa to enter the U.S.). If your visa stamp has expired, you will need to apply for a new visa in order to re-enter the U.S. Visit our Visa Information page for further details.
• I-94 Printoutmarked D/S
• Contact information for ISSS in the event that the border officer needs to reach an International Advisor.
  • Main phone: (309) 438-1931 (during regular business hours)
  • ISU Police: (309) 438-8631 (emergencies outside of regular business hours). This number should only be used in an emergency situation at the border, in which the border officer needs to immediately contact a school official (DSO/ARO).
• Other documents related to your status:unofficial transcript, recent tuition receipts, proof of finances (bank statement, scholarship award letter, etc.), Redbird card, ISU employment or invitation letter, documents related to any pending USCIS applications,SEVIS I-901 fee receipt.
• Valid visa for other countries: If you are not returning to your home country, you may need a visa to travel to or even through (transit visa) other countries. Check the foreign embassy/consulate website for every country on your itinerary.
  • Visit the Department of StateLearn About Your Destinationsite to find important travel alerts/warnings and links to foreign embassy websites where you can check visa requirements.

You should keep your passport valid at all times. Make sure you know the expiration date and begin the renewal process at least 6 months before it expires.

Most passports can be renewed from within the U.S. Contact the embassy/consulate for your home country in the U.S. for information on the passport renewal process.