Travel
While you are studying at UWRF you may want to travel. You may want to:
- See the United States.
- Return to your home country over a break.
- Explore another country on a break.
- Participate in an education abroad program.
Before you pack your luggage, remember there are some steps you need to take to protect your status. When leaving and re-entering the United States, you want to ensure you have all the documents necessary for re-entry. Explore this page to learn more.
Common Travel Information
- New Arrivals - transportation from the airport
- Obtaining the Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record
- Traveling to Canada, Mexico, or Adjacent Islands
- Travel for Canadians
- Travel and OPT
- Travel in the United States
Traveling After Completing Your Program?
We cannot sign your I-20 or DS-2019 for travel during your post-graduation grace period and you cannot re-enter in your F-1/J-1 status if you depart the United States.
Traveling Abroad for F-1 Visa Holders
If traveling to Canada, Mexico, or Adjacent Islands or Travel for Canadians, there are different guidelines on travel. Please review Traveling to Canada, Mexico, or Adjacent Islands or Travel for Canadians if these apply to you.
Students should check page 2 of your current Form I-20 for a DSO signed travel signature. This signature should be dated at least within 12 months of the day you plan to re-enter the U.S.
To request an updated travel signature, visit the International Student Services office (2887 Rodli Hall) during business hours with your most current Form I-20. If a DSO is unavailable to sign for you, please ask to be scheduled for an appointment.
If you are a student holding an F-1 visa and you plan to travel abroad or to your home country, to be readmitted to the US you need to present to the Immigration Officer, at the port of entry, the following documents:
- Valid Passport. It must be valid for at least 6 months when you enter the US.
- Valid American (United States) F-1 Visa. A valid F-1 visa stamped in your passport. If you need to apply for a new visa, bring proof of financial support and your I-20 form to the American (U.S.) Consulate or Embassy. A current photograph will also be necessary when applying for a visa.
- Valid I-20. A new Form I-20 or a current Form I-20 which has been signed by a DSO/PDSO on page 2 of your Form I-20 within the last 12 months.
- Documentation of Financial Support (award letters, letters from departments, bank letters, or letters and bank statements from private/family sponsors, etc.)
- Documentation of UWRF enrollment (admission letter, letter from department, unofficial transcript, UWRF ID card, etc.)
- Form I-901 (SEVIS Fee) Receipt
Please be advised that entry into the US is at the sole discretion of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the U.S. Port-of-Entry. Also, please be aware that since the passage of the Immigration Act of 1996 it has become very difficult to receive a new US visa in a third country.
Traveling Abroad for J-1 Visa Holders
If traveling to Canada, Mexico, or Adjacent Islands or Travel for Canadians, there are different guidelines on travel. Please review Traveling to Canada, Mexico, or Adjacent Islands or Travel for Canadians if these apply to you.
If you are a student holding a J-1 visa and you plan to travel abroad, to be readmitted to the US you need to present to the Immigration Officer, at the port of entry, the following documents:
- Valid Passport. It must be valid for at least six months when you enter the US.
- Valid American J-1 Visa. A valid J-1 visa stamped in your passport
- Valid DS-2019. A new DS-2019 or your current DS-2019 Form which has been signed for travel in the lower right-hand corner within one year by your sponsor. If UWRF is your sponsor you will need the signature of a DSO in the International Students Office (287 Rodli Hall), otherwise you need to contact your visa sponsor.
- Documentation of Financial Support (award letters, letters from departments, bank letters, etc.)
- Documentation of UWRF enrollment (letter from department, unofficial transcript, UWRF ID card, etc.)
- Form I-901 (SEVIS Fee) Receipt
Please be advised that entry into the US is at the sole discretion of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) Officer at the U.S. Port-of-Entry. Also, please be aware that since the passage of the Immigration Act of 1996 it has become difficult to receive a new US visa in a third country.
