Travel

The visa stamp in the passport, indicates the type of visa, the expiration date, and number of entries permitted. As long as the visa indicates F-1/J-1, is multiple-entry and has not yet expired, the student does not need to apply for a new visa if he/she plans to re-enter the U.S. with an I-20 to study.

Students should always check with the U.S. Consulate in the country in which they will apply for a visa. Each post follows U.S. laws and regulations but has its own procedures in issuing visas. Some points to consider:

• Applicants must prove to the visa officer that they will return home. In other words, the applicant must have sufficient ties to the home country.
• Some posts are now using the DS-160 (electronic visa application) which is $160.
• Some countries have additional security checks that will take 28 days or more before visas can be issued. It is important to consider your situation and your studies if you are delayed by a security check. These security checks are based on a variety of things. Unfortunately, Penn State staff cannot speed up the visa process.

Visas are denied for a variety of reasons; if denied, students should ask for the reason in writing. Individuals frequently assume the visa was denied for the wrong reason. The most common visa denial is based on 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act; the visa officer is required to assume every visa applicant is an intending immigrant until the applicant proves otherwise. People applying for non-immigrant visas must show non-immigrant intent. Other reasons for visa denial include incomplete applications, inadmissibility, false documentation, etc.

If a student plans to remain at the same school after re-entering the U.S., the I-20/DS-2019 endorsed by the International Student Adviser (DSO or ARO) is required to re-enter the U.S.. The I-20/DS-2109 should be endorsed within the semester a student is traveling or within 12 months of re-entry. If a student requires a new I-20/DS-2019 because the information on the document has changed, additional financial support may be required.
Please note only ISSA staff who are a Designated School Official (DSO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) can sign Penn State I-20/DS-2019. Do not ask other faculty or staff to sign your immigration documents.

Canadians entering the U.S. need a passport and an endorsed I-20/DS-2019. Canadians re-entering the U.S. in F-1/J-1 status do not need a visa. F-1/J-1 students will need an endorsed I-20/DS-2019 and valid I-94 (for re-entry).

Adjacent islands include Saint Pierre, Miquelon, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, the Windward and Leeward Islands, Trinidad, Martinique, and other British, French, and Netherlands territories or possessions in or bordering on the Caribbean Sea.

Some individuals will require visas to enter Canada or Mexico. A list of countries whose citizens require visas is available on the Canadian consulate website and the Mexican consulate website.

When traveling to a contiguous territory, international students do not surrender their I-94s (small white card usually stapled in the passport); hence, students will need the I-94s to re-enter the U.S. In general, to re-enter the U.S. from contiguous territory, the student must present a valid passport with a U.S. visa stamped within (valid or expired), I-94, and I-20/DS-2019 as well as financial documents. It is best to carry a transcript and current registration information.

Re-entry from contiguous territory for most students with an expired visa is possible as long as the trip has been less than 30 days, the student has not traveled to a third country from the contiguous territory, and the student was in status in the U.S. when entering contiguous territory. This type of re-entry is referred to as automatic visa revalidation.

Students from certain countries (currently Iran, Sudan, Cuba, Syria, and Sudan) may not benefit from this visa revalidation.

Please note that students who apply for a U.S. visa in contiguous territory must wait until the visa is issued. These individuals will not be able to rely on automatic visa revalidation, and if the visa application is denied, students should be prepared to return to their home country directly from Canada or Mexico. In other words, anyone applying for a U.S. visa in Canada or Mexico cannot use automatic visa revalidation.

This includes transit in Airports.

• Remember that you may need a visa to enter any other country; this will depend on where you are traveling and agreements with your country of citizenship.
• Remember that even though you may be able to use “automatic revalidation” to return to the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, or contiguous islands except Cuba, you may need a visa to enter Canada, Mexico or contiguous islands except Cuba.
• You may need a transit visa even if you are just entering the airport of a country.
• It is your responsibility to learn about the visa requirements to enter another country.  DISSA can only advise on the requirements for entering/returning to the U.S.

Additional information on returning to the U.S. is found at Department of Homeland Security FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) of F Non-Immigrants: Entry and Exit

Students who would like to invite family (not spouse or children) and friends to visit the U.S. should provide the following documents to them for the visa interview:

• A letter of invitation (in your language and English) including the relationship to you, the purpose of the visit, the dates of the visit, where the visitor will sleep and eat, and other important information

• Evidence that you can support them during the visit if you are providing room and board (that might include a bank statement or assistantship information, apartment lease, etc.)

• Evidence that you are a full-time student by requesting enrollment verification from the Registrar

• Copy of your I-20 or DS-2019

The visitors need to provide evidence that they intend to return to their home country and not remain in the U.S.

Please be aware that ISSA does not provide letters of invitation for family or friends to visit.