If you are planning on leaving the U.S. for a break between semesters, or during Spring Recess, you will need to present the following documents in order to re-enter the U.S. in F1 or J1 status after your trip.
- Your I-20 or DS-2019 must have been signed for re-entry. The most recent signature should have been received within 5 months of your re-entering the U.S. Example: you are going home in December and will return in January. The signature should have been obtained within 5 months of January.
- Your passport must be valid for when re-entering the U.S. and must remain valid for the entire time you are in the U.S. Click here for details
- If your entry visa has expired or will have expired before you re-enter the US, you must apply for a new entry visa at a U. S. Embassy or Consulate. The only time you can re-enter the U.S. with an expired entry visa is if you are re-entering from Canada, Mexico or adjacent islands. You must have been outside the U.S. for fewer than 30 days. Note: if you visit Canada, Mexico or adjacent islands and apply for a new visa and that visa is denied, you will not be able to re-enter the U.S. even if you were in that country for fewer than 30 days.
- Some people need to apply for a visa to enter Canda or Mexico. Please see scheduling an appointment at a US Consulate in Canada or Mexico to apply for a US Visa Stamp
- Guidelines on valid F-1 visas have changed. Please read the new visa issuance regulations from the US Department of State
- New DS-160 Form For Visa Application Increasingly Required by Consulates
- A visa to re-enter the United States in Nonimmigrant Student (F-1 or J-1) status cannot be extended in the United States. You can find a US Embassy or Consulate’s web page at http://usembassy.state.gov/
- Wait times at US Consulates and Embassies
Your I-20 or DS 2019 during walk-in hours only.
Additional information regarding travel and renewing your student entry visa is available at http://www.temple.edu/isss/pdfs/travelandreentryinfo.doc
