Students who plan to travel outside of the U.S. during school breaks must get a travel
endorsement on their I-20.
Students can request a Travel Signature through the International Student Portal. This should be done at least two-weeks before returning to the United States.
The I-20 with Travel Signature will be uploaded to the International Student Portal.
Students should print and sign their I-20 before reentering the United States.
Carry these items with you when you travel. Do not pack them in your checked luggage. These items are required by law.
Passport (must be valid for at least 6 months following your planned date of entry
into the U.S.)
Valid visa (some exemptions exist for Canada, Mexico, and islands adjacent* to the
U.S.)
Printed I-20 or DS-2019 (must have a travel endorsement signature on page 2)
Printed I-94 record
EAD card (for students pursing Optional Practical Training, it is also a good idea
to bring a letter from your employer stating that you are fulfilling your OPT and
acknowledging your travel)
Financial certification
The following items may also be helpful to verify your status at the port of entry.
These are not required by law, but we recommend carrying them with you as well.
Copies of all previous I-20s or DS-2019s
Academic transcripts
Proof of current enrollment (past and present course schedules)
If you are on OPT or CPT, a letter from your employer that discloses your salary and
acknowledges your travel
Students should not plan to travel outside the U.S. during the semester except in
unavoidable and serious circumstances. Make an appointment with International Services
to discuss your situation before you make travel plans. You may be required to take
a Leave of Absence if your travel lasts longer than a few days.
Automatic Revalidation
Students in F-1, F-2, J-1, J-2 visa statuses may travel to Mexico, Canada, or adjacent
islands* (except Cuba) on an expired visa under certain circumstances. This is called
"automatic visa revalidation" and can be used only for a stay of less than 30 days.
Take this information in case you need to show a copy of the regulations at the Port
of Entry: Copy of the Federal Regulations.
Students who have changed status inside the U.S. and who do not yet have a visa for
the new status may use automatic revalidation to re-enter under the new status. You
must have a visa showing the previous status and an approval notice showing the newly
awarded status.
Valid I-94 stamped D/S (duration of status)
Valid I-20 or DS-2019 signed for travel within the last 6 months
Valid passport with the expired visa
A copy of the regulations authorizing Automatic Revalidation
An I-797 Approval Notice if you have changed status inside the U.S. and have not yet
received a visa for the new status.
Copies of all previous I-20s or DS-2019s
Academic transcripts
Proof of current enrollment (past and present course schedules)
If you are on OPT or CPT, a letter from your employer that discloses your salary and
acknowledges your travel
Automatic visa revalidation is NOT available to:
Students who are citizens of Iran, Cuba, Syria, Sudan
Students who want to renew a visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. (If your application
for a visa is denied, you may be denied re-entry to the U.S. and may be forced to
return to your home country to reapply for a visa.)
Depending on your country of citizenship, you may need to get a visa to enter Canada
or Mexico. Consult the Canadian or Mexican governmental agencies to determine if
you need a visa.
If you are a Special Registrant, you should be sure to exit the U.S. through an approved
point of departure and locate an immigration official to officially register. Failure
to follow these procedures may result in being denied re-entry to the U.S. later.
Students whose subject of study is included on the Department of State's Technology
Alert List may be subject to additional security checks and delays upon re-entry.
You may want to consider not using automatic revalidation. Email InternationalServices@MissouriState.edu
for questions about the Technology Alert list.
*The adjacent islands are St. Pierre, Miquelon, The Dominican Republic, Haiti, Bermuda,
The Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, The Windward and Leeward Islands, Trinidad, Martinique
(and other British, French, and Dutch territories or possessions in or bordering on
the Caribbean Sea).
Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are territories of
the U.S. and, therefore, you would not need a visa for re-entry. However, it is always
strongly suggested to carry your immigration documents when traveling.
