TravelCenter for International and Cultural Education

Checklist for F-1 or J-1 students traveling outside the United States

Before you travel:

  • Closely examine this checklist and meet with your DSO or RO (Jeff Anderson) if you have questions. 
    • Make an appointment or visit CICE.
  • Get your I-20 or DS-2019 signed by your DSO or RO.
    • A recent DSO/RO signature shows US immigration officials that you are still enrolled as a student at Gustavus. 
    • The signature is recommended within the last 6 months / required within the last 12 months.
  • Check your Passport validity. 
  • Check the expiration date of your F-1 or J-1 visa. 
    • Check your visa stamp to make sure it is for multiple-entry, and is still valid by the date you intend to return.
    • If you need to renew your U.S. visa, you should closely examine the consulate website to determine the procedures for renewing your visa and the documents required.
    • See U.S. Department of State list of Embassies & Consulates.
  • Order a Transcript if you need to renew your F-1 or J-1 visa.
    • Request your transcript from the Registrar well in advance of your departure.
    • There is no additional charge for transcripts.
    • The transcript you can access on MyGustavus is not considered an "official" transcript.
  • Consider legal issues. 
    • If you have had any legal issues (an arrest or citation for any offense that is more severe than a parking ticket), in the U.S. or abroad, at any time in your life, that could impact your ability to renew your visa or re-enter the U.S.
    • If you have had any legal issues, then you should consult with Jeff or an attorney before deciding to travel outside of the U.S.
  • Consider what is on your phone, computer, and social media. 
    • Any photos, texts, emails, or documents that could be considered as evidence of illegal behavior may be problematic.
    • Immigration officials may check those sources.
  • Consider whether you need a visa for any other countries to which you are traveling. 
    • Check to see if you need a visa for any country you will be visiting, or that your flight will be transiting through.
    • Obtain the proper visa(s) well in advance, if required.
  • You may stay in the U.S. with an expired visa.
    • It is legal to stay in the United States beyond the expiration date on your F-1 or J-1 visa, as long as you continue to be a student and maintain your F-1 or J-1 status.
    • You are not required to renew your visa, and you would need to renew your visa only if you plan to travel outside of the U.S. and return after your F-1 or J-1 visa has expired.

What to bring when you return to the United States:

  • I-20 or DS-2019 endorsed by a DSO or RO. (Signature recommended within last 6 months / required within last 12 months).
  • Valid F-1 or J-1 visa.
  • Passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry.
  • Evidence of Financial Support. 
    • Documentation must show sufficient funding for at least one year, in the amount indicated on your I-20 or DS-2019.
    • Documentation of funding may include bank statements, statements of income, evidence of other assets, receipt for tuition paid. (If you have paid for the semester or year in advance, our Student Accounts Office can provide you with a receipt.)
    • Usually you will not be asked for evidence of financial support when returning to the U.S., but it is recommended just in case.
  • Your Gustavus student identification (Three Crowns Card).
    • This is more proof that you are a student.
    • You should not need it, but it could be helpful if immigration officials question that you are currently a student.
  • Money. If you have more than $10,000 (cash, travelers' checks, bank check, money orders, etc.), you must report that to U.S. immigration when you arrive.
    • You must report that on Form FinCen 105 and give it to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer when you arrive.
    • It is recommended that you download and complete Form FinCen 105 before you travel. If not, you can ask for Form FinCen 105 on the airplane.
    • There is no limit to the amount of currency a traveler can bring into or take out of the U.S. But if you bring more than $10,000 and do not report it, the penalties can be severe. You can lose all of the money.
    • If you bring a check, cash or other funds to pay your Gustavus tuition, make sure to report it.
    • If you bring less than $10,000, you do not have to report it.
    • It is generally not recommended to bring a lot of cash, as there is always a risk of it being lost or stolen.
  • Go to Prohibited and Restricted Items and Bringing Food Into the United States to see what is allowed or not.
    • Generally meats, rice, fresh fruits and fresh vegetables are not allowed.
    • Generally processed foods, spices, coffees and teas, are allowed.
    • Always report products that you have when you arrive to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, as consequences are more severe if they feel that you are being dishonest or hiding something. If you report it, then at worst they may take the item from you. 
  • If you have graduated and are participating in Optional Practical Training (OPT), then you should also bring:
    • Your Employment Authorization Document (EAD or OPT card)
    • A letter or paystub or other documentation from your employer to show that you have a job in the U.S.

After you return to the United States:

  •  I-94 record. The United States Department of Homeland Security uses an electronic system, which records each time you enter or leave the U.S.
    • Soon after each entry to the U.S. you should go to the I-94 Website to retrieve your I-94 record.
    • Check carefully to make sure that DHS properly entered your name, entry date, immigration status (F-1 or J-1), that the "Admit Until Date" is "D/S", and that all of the other information is correct.
    • If there are mistakes, that can be a problem for you later. 
    • Please contact Jeff Anderson if you have any concerns. 

Travel contacts:

If you are traveling inside the U.S. but not leaving the country:

  • You do not need your DSO or RO to sign your I-20 or DS-2019 if you are not leaving the U.S.
  • You may still wish to bring your immigration documents (passport, visa, I-94, I-20 or DS-2019).
  • Some states have laws that allow local law enforcement officials to check immigration documents, so it can be beneficial to have them, even though they are not required in most places in the U.S.
  • It is very important not to lose your passport, so it is really up to you to make the decision of whether to travel with it. Your I-20 or DS-2019 and I-94 can be easily replaced.