All students and scholars traveling abroad need to make sure they check the validity dates on their immigration documents to ensure everything is in order. If you have any questions, please see an OISS advisor.
F-1/F-2 and J-1/J-2 visa holders
Verify the following prior to travel:
- Passport, valid at least 6 months past the date of (re)entry into the U.S.
- Travel endorsement on the current I-20 or DS-2019 that is no older than 1 year
- Valid visa stamp (Exception: Canadian citizens are not required to have a visa in their passport)
- If traveling while on F-1 OPT or the STEM OPT extension, review your documentation to make sure it includes the following:
- I-20 showing OPT is approved on pg. 2 and updated with current employer information if possible. Please note that travel signatures are only valid for 6 months while on OPT.**
- Original EAD
- Letter from your employer, if applicable
- For more information about travel on OPT, please see https://oiss.rice.edu/OPTcompliance
**Special note for students on OPT/STEM OPT: Once your OPT has been approved and you have submitted a copy of your OPT EAD to OISS, you may request an updated I-20 to update the information on the second page from "OPT Requested" to "OPT Approved." Unless you need the updated I-20 earlier for international travel purposes, we recommend waiting until your OPT has started and you have updated your employment information in the SEVP Student Portal to ensure that this information is also printed on the new I-20.
To make the request, please email OISS at oiss@rice.edu and indicate that you would like to have an updated "OPT Approved" I-20. If you are making the request before your OPT start date, please confirm the purpose of the I-20 (for international travel, please include estimated travel dates). Otherwise, please also confirm that the employment information in your SEVP Student Portal is current.
Requesting Travel Endorsement
OISS can provide travel endorsements for all F and J visa holders whose immigration records are sponsored by Rice. Each endorsement for travel is valid for 1 year (or 6 months for students on OPT/STEM OPT) and can be used for multiple entries within that validity period.
If you are planning to travel internationally during school breaks and do not have a valid travel signature on your current I-20/DS-2019, please request an updated signature by the following deadlines:
For spring/summer travel, request a travel signature by Spring Break.
For winter recess travel, request a travel signature by early November.
To request a travel signature, please email oiss@rice.edu. Please allow 1-3 business days for processing. Please only submit one request, as multiple requests can result in duplicated and confusing SEVIS events on your record.
You will receive a new I-20 or DS-2019 by email. Both the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) for I-20s and the U.S. Department of State for DS-2019s have confirmed that electronically signed and issued documents are allowed. When you receive an I-20 or DS-2019 by email, print it at your earliest convenience and sign it by hand (i.e., in wet ink) at the bottom of the first page, after which the form will be considered valid. An electronic I-20 or DS-2019 displayed from a mobile device is not considered valid.
For more on the validity of electronically issued and signed I-20s, please see the SEVP Policy Guidance.
For more on the validity of electronically issued and signed DS-2019s, please see the Department of State Detailed Description of the DS-2019 webpage.
Visa Renewal
If your visa stamp has expired and you are traveling outside the U.S., you may need to apply for a visa stamp renewal. Please feel free to schedule an appointment with an OISS advisor to discuss the process, but please note that you do not require any supporting letter from OISS. We have also compiled some tips for the visa application process and a list of helpful videos, please see https://oiss.rice.edu/visa-tips.
Please submit a copy of your renewed visa stamp to OISS at http://bit.ly/oissdocs.
Automatic Revalidation
If you are traveling to Mexico, Canada, or the Caribbean Islands (except Cuba) and your visa stamp has expired, you may be able to use automatic revalidation to re-enter the U.S. without renewing your visa stamp. Please schedule an appointment with an OISS advisor to review automatic revalidation guidelines. The advisor will provide a document verifying these guidelines for you to take with you on your travels.
Travel to a Third Country
If you are traveling to a country other than your home, please note that you may require a visa to enter your destination. Visa requirements vary by country and by the traveler's citizenship, so check the website of the embassy/consulate of the country you're going to and research the visa requirements that apply in your case. Please note that your U.S. visa status can affect the process, so you may need to inquire further. Fortunately we have many consulates located right here in Houston!
If you require proof of your valid U.S. immigration status, OISS can provide an immigration status verification letter confirming your visa status at Rice. Please use our online letter request form as needed.
Returning to Rice University
Many U.S. Ports of Entry have moved away from issuing entry stamps, and it is not a problem if you do not receive one. If the U.S. Port of Entry immigration officer does stamp your passport with an entry stamp, it should include the following:
- Date and location of your arrival
- Visa type (e.g. F-1 or J-1)
- Admit Until Date, which is the date by which you must depart the United States. For F-1 and J-1 visa holders, instead of the date, the stamp should indicate "D/S", which stands for Duration of Status
Make sure to download your updated I-94 record anytime you re-enter the U.S. and submit a copy to OISS so we can update your arrival record. You may submit all new documents at http://bit.ly/oissdocs.