Maintaining Your Status

Maintaining Valid Immigration Documents

As an F-1 or J-1 visa holder, you must meet certain obligations to maintain your immigration status. Please review the sections below.

CARRY THESE DOCUMENTS

To prove your immigration status in the US you should always carry the following doucments in your day to day life and when traveling domestically. These should be physical documents printed out and not just electronically availble on your phone or computer:

  • I-20/ DS-2019
  • Your most recent  printed out
  • EAD card if on OPT/ STEM OPT
  • Dependents over the age of 18 also need to carry their own documents

Valid Passport & Visa

Keep your passport valid for at least six months into the future at all times. Do not let your passport expire. Your visa must be valid at the time you enter the US. However, it can expire while you are here and you may remain in the US with an expired visa.

Travel

If you will travel outside the United States during your program, you should complete the Travel Signature Request E-Form. Once it is approved we will make your signed I-20 or DS-2019 available for download in iStart. Make sure that you are academically eligible to return to study at 黑料网吃瓜爆料and that your visa is valid to re-enter the U.S. Travel signatures are valid for one year or six months for students on OPT.

If your visa has expired, you may still be able to re-enter the U.S. after a visit to Canada, Mexico, or adjacent islands. Refer to the Travel Outside the United States to Contiguous Territories or Adjacent Islands Handout for more information.

Please see our updated Travel page for additional information.