Traveling

International travel by students and scholars in non-immigrant status requires advance planning and careful attention to details. The most important thing is to make certain you have all the required documents with your passport (not packed in your suitcase) when you arrive back in the U.S. Check your immigration status for a list of required travel documents. Check with OISS before you leave if you have any questions, particularly if you need to apply for a new visa.

i94Arriving in the U.S.

Upon admission (initial and re-entry) into the U.S., you will receive an I-94 card. Before you leave the U.S. immigration area, check to make sure your I-94 card, and those of your dependents, are marked correctly. The card should indicate visa classification and the length of time each person is allowed to stay in the U.S. For F or J visa classifications, the duration should be noted as "D/S" meaning duration of status. For all other non-immigrant visa classifications, it will be date specific according to your immigration document. You should keep this I-94 card securely in your passport during your stay in the U.S.

Departing the U.S.

When you depart the U.S. the airline will usually take your I-94. However, students who are citizens of Canada in F-1 or J-1 status or scholars in TN status may be allowed to retain their I-94 card and use it multiple times. Those entering Canada, Mexico or a contiguous island using automatic revalidation should not relinquish their I-94 card upon U.S. departure.