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International Student and Scholar Services

Documents Needed

We strongly recommend you bring certain documents with you when you travel within the U.S. or internationally during your time as an Illinois State student.

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Travel Within U.S.

While in the U.S., you must have your Form I-20/DS-2019 and I-94 printout with you at all times.

If you are traveling within the U.S. and its territories (this includes Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands), you should carry your immigration documents with you as proof of your valid status.

  • I-20 (F-1 students) or DS-2019 (J-1 students/scholars), passport, visa, I-94 Printout. Your visa can be expired: F-1/J-1 students and scholars do NOT need a valid visa to stay within the U.S. (Make sure that you do not travel to any other country in route to your final destination.)
  • Redbird card as evidence that you are an ISU student or scholar.

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Travel Abroad for Less Than 5 Months

ISSS encourages all international students to notify their International Advisor prior to any international travel by emailing your travel destination and dates to InternationalStudents@IllinoisState.edu.

All students or scholars traveling abroad should verify they have all the necessary documentation for re-entry prior to departure. Many common questions regarding F-1 travel and re-entry procedures can be answered by visiting F-1 Travel FAQ. If you have further questions or concerns regarding travel abroad, you may discuss them with your International Advisor during walk-in hours.

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:

  • F-1/J-1 students/scholars require a valid travel signature. The travel signature on your I-20/DS-2019 is valid for one year from the date it was signed. If you need an updated travel signature, see the Travel Signatures page.
  • 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 the Visa Information section for further details.
  • I-94 Printout marked 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: transcripts, 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 or will be traveling through other countries, 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 State Learn About Your Destination site to find important travel alerts/warnings and links to foreign embassy websites where you can check visa requirements.

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Travel to Canada, Mexico or Adjacent Islands

F-1/J-1 students and scholars should carry the same documents for travel abroad (listed above). The only difference is that your F-1/J-1 visa can be expired if you are eligible for automatic visa revalidation.

You are eligible for automatic visa revalidation if ALL of the below are true:

  1. You are traveling for 30 days or less
  2. You have maintained and intend to resume your F-1/J-1 status
  3. You did not apply for a U.S. visa while abroad
  4. You are not from Cuba, Iran, Sudan, or Syria

Any time you travel to a country that is not your country of citizenship, you should check whether you need a visa to enter or transit through that country.

List of adjacent islands:

  • Saint Pierre
  • Miquelon
  • Cuba
  • The Dominican Republic
  • Haiti
  • Bermuda
  • The Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Jamaica
  • The Windward and Leeward Islands
  • Trinidad
  • Martinique
  • Other British, French, and Netherlands territory or possessions in or bordering on the Caribbean Sea

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Emergency Travel

If you will be traveling abroad for more than just a few days in the middle of the fall/spring semester and not during one of the normal school breaks, ISSS recommends that you request a letter from your academic department:

  • explaining the reason for your travel
  • stating that your course professors (or host faculty for scholars) are aware of your travel plans
  • verifying that you will return to resume your studies or work

You should carry this letter with you while you are traveling, along with all the other documents for travel abroad (listed above).

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