Travel Seminar
For dates, please visit http://international.syr.edu or
http://international.syr.edu/current-students/travel.html
Please bring:
Original I-20/DS-2019, passport,
visa,
I-94 card, proof of duration of health
insurance, and proof of medical
evacuation and repatriation coverage.
Preparing for the Travel Seminar
 Bring your original I-20/DS-2019, passport, visa, I-94 card,
proof of duration of health insurance, and proof of medical
evacuation and repatriation coverage for Advisor to review
 Complete Travel Signature Request Form distributed when
you sign-in for the seminar
-- Note your anticipated departure date and destination
on the Travel Signature Request Form
-- Indicate any changes in your course of study, local, or
immigration information on the Travel Signature
Request Form
Health Insurance
You must have health insurance coverage (including
medical evacuation & repatriation) valid for the entire
academic year (August 2013-July 2014). If you are
graduating before August, you must have the coverage
valid until the end of the term in which you are graduating.
Dropping insurance during vacation periods is not acceptable
if you plan to return to continue your studies the next
semester.
Lapses in health insurance coverage are risky due to:
 the unpredictability of accidents and medical needs
 any conditions you were being treated for prior to the lapse
may be regarded as pre-existing conditions and thus not
covered by your new insurance plan
Travel Signature
 In order to obtain a travel signature, you must maintain status
-- Registered full-time or have submitted a request to study less than full-time
-- Have valid I-20 or DS-2019
-- Have not engaged in unauthorized employment
-- Have reported all changes to program of study and changes of address
-- Have health insurance for yourself and any dependents (including medical
evacuation and repatriation benefits)
 A travel signature from a Slutzker Center Advisor is valid for 1
year except during OPT or AT (valid 6 months)
-- If you are concerned about your status or issues related to your particular
case, you may request a more current travel signature
 An advisor will review your documents after the seminar and if
they are all current and satisfactory, your I-20 or DS-2019 will
be signed for travel today
Seminar Overview
 Travel Within the United States
 Travel Outside of the United States
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Travel with dependents
Canada, Mexico, Adjacent Islands
Beyond North America
 Returning to the United States
 Traveling to Obtain a Visa
 Post-Completion Advisories
Things to Consider…
 New or returning student?
 F-1 or J-1 visa?
 When are you traveling?
 Where are you traveling?
 Traveling by air, land, or
sea?
 Traveling through another
country?
 Have you applied for OPT?
 Will your immigration
documents be valid when
you plan to re-enter the
U.S.?
 Will you have completed
your course of study?
 Are you traveling with
dependents?
 Why are you traveling?
Travel within the U.S.
Law and immigration enforcement agents may randomly
stop and question you during routine activities such as
driving in your car or waiting for a bus at a bus station.
Be prepared:
 Carry original passport and visa documents (I-20/DS-2019 and
I-94 card)
 Carry your University ID card
 If you are applying for a change of status, visa, or EAD card,
carry your application receipt as proof of pending application
Individuals without valid travel documents may be detained,
arrested, threatened with deportation, and/or taken into
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) custody.
Travel Outside the US: Special
Registration (NSEERS)
Effective April 28,2011, the Department of
Homeland Security (DHS), removed all
countries designated for participation in
NSEERS
Travel to Canada, Mexico, Adjacent Islands
*Travel documents for absence less than 5 months:
 Passport—valid 6 months beyond your date of re-entry
 U.S. visa and I-94 card (if you have a paper version)
-- Automatic Visa Revalidation: You may be eligible to re-enter the U.S. from
Canada, Mexico, or adjacent islands (not Cuba) on expired visa if:
 you are in lawful status and not terminated in SEVIS;
 your visit was 30 days or less;
 you are not a citizen of “state sponsors of terrorism;” and
(Iran,
Syria, Sudan, North Korea, Cuba)
 you did not just apply for a U.S. visa in Canada or Mexico and get denied
 you retained your paper I-94 card on departing the US
 Valid, accurate I-20 or DS-2019 with current travel signature
 May require an additional visa- consult Consulate prior to travel
-- Canada (Students can only apply by mail)
-- Mexico
Planning to take a cruise to the Caribbean,
Bahamas, Bermuda, Mexico, or Canada?
You are required to carry a valid passport, I-20 with valid travel signature, F-1/J-1
student visa, I-94 Card as well as have in your possession all the necessary tourist
visas that pertain to your travel itinerary. (i.e. Miami, FL → George Town, Grand
Cayman Island → Cozumel, Mexico → Miami, FL).
In order to either join or finally disembark a cruise vessel outside of the United
States, a valid passport and often a tourist visa are required for that destination.
We recommend that you contact the embassy/consulate directly to obtain all the
requirements for your tourist visa application before making your final travel plans. It
is important to note that most consulates and embassies are only open to the public
during the morning hours.
Note: Passengers must be 21 years of age or older to purchase or consume alcohol.
- Some cruise ships have a policy that a passenger under 21 years of age must be
accompanied in the same or connecting stateroom by a passenger 21 years of age
or older at the time of embarkation.
Traveling Beyond North America
*Travel Documents for absence less than 5 months:
 Passport—valid 6 months beyond your date of re-entry
 Valid U.S. Visa
 I-94 card– If you have a paper I-94 card, be sure to surrender it when you
exit.
Failure to do so may effect your eligibility to re-enter the U.S..
 Valid, accurate I-20 or DS-2019 with current travel signature
 Transcript from Registrar’s Office (106 Steele Hall)
 Letter of Registration
(If you are traveling during the school year, you should obtain letter at the Registrar’s
Office; If the spring semester is over and you are traveling over the summer, you should
ask your academic department to issue a letter verifying your enrollment/progress
towards your degree.)
 Financial documentation
-- e.g., bank statements, assistantship letter
 University ID card/additional photo ID
* Originals, not copies
Travel Documents (continued)
 Slutzker Center Advisor contact information
-- Slutzker Center: (315) 443-2457 (Summer Hours: Mon-Fri 8 am- 4:30pm)
-- Public Safety: (315) 443-2224 (For emergency after Slutzker Center hours)
 Additional visas may be necessary
-- Entry Visa (e.g., visitor, tourist)
- Some individuals visiting countries they are not citizens of must obtain a visa
indicating the nature of their visit
-- Transit Visa (e.g., visitor in transit)
- Some individuals “transiting” into a country because travel requires an
intermediate stop in a third country are required to obtain Transit Visas prior
to traveling
-- Change airports; Change airlines; Stay overnight in the airport
- Transit visas are commonly needed for travel through Europe (e.g., UK,
France, Italy, Germany, Netherlands) however there are sometimes exceptions
for F-1 and J-1 students and scholars
Please consult the embassy prior to travel to determine if any
visa(s) are necessary.
Baggage Inspection Requirements
Everyone who travels by air must go through a Federal
Transportation and Security Administration (TSA) screening
process prior to boarding the plane.
 Travel documents are reviewed
-- Airline boarding pass and government-issued photo ID (e.g., passport)
 Individuals are screened through a metal detector
-- Must remove shoes, coat, metal objects
-- If detector is set off, additional screening may be necessary
 Checked and carry-on baggage is screened for prohibited items
--Travel-size liquid-based toiletries (3 ounces or less) that fit comfortably
in 1 QUART-SIZE, clear plastic, zip-top bag may now be brought in carry-on
(e.g., toothpaste, mouthwash, shampoo, sunblock, perfume/cologne, liquid foundation)
--After clearing security, travelers can now bring beverages and other items
purchased in the secure boarding area on-board aircraft.
Dependent Travel
Dependents in F-2/J-2 status:
 Should carry documents similar to those the primary F-1 student/J-1
exchange visitor carries when traveling
- Valid visa
- Valid passport
- I-94 card
-Valid 1-20/DS-2019 with current travel signature
- If applied for OPT: Copy of primary’s I-20 endorsed for OPT and EAD
 Should carry documentation that the primary is enrolled and
maintaining their status
- Transcript/ Letter of Enrollment/ Appointment Letter
 Are not required to travel with the F-1/J-1 primary
 May remain in the U.S. without the primary as long as the F-1/J-1
maintains his/her current status and will return after a temporary
absence using the same SEVIS ID number
- If the F-1/J-1 primary will be outside the U.S. for 5 months or more, current
status will be terminated and a new initial attendance I-20 will have to be
issued for the primary and dependent(s)
U.S. VISIT: Entry Procedures
U.S. Visitor and Immigration Status Indicator Technology (USVISIT) is a system for keeping records of the entry of
non-immigrants traveling to the United States.
Under US-VISIT Entry procedures,
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Your passport and visa documents (including I-94, I-20/DS2019) will be
reviewed
An inkless finger-scanning of your left & right index finger will be
conducted
A digital photograph will be taken
You may be questioned about your visit to the U.S.
An entry confirmation will be added to your travel
records to demonstrate compliance with the terms of your
admission and to verify that you are the same person who
received the visa you are utilizing to travel and enter the
United States.
I-94 Automation Tearsheet
Sample Electronic I-94 Printout
I-94 Card
Some individuals will continue to receive a paper I-94 card:
•
•
•
Individuals entering through a land border
Refugees, asylees, and parolees
Individuals who receive an I-515
Date of Entry
Non-Immigrant Status
Length of Stay
The immigration officer will
stamp your I-94 card and note:
- Your non-immigrant status
(F-1/F-2or J-1/J-2)
- The date of your entry
- The authorized period you
may stay in the U.S. (D/S)
(Duration of Status)
Submit a copy of your new I-94 card to SCIS every time you travel
Re-Entry Issues
If the immigration officer reviewing your documents:
Does not stamp your I-94 card or new I-20
Improperly marks your I-94 card or new I-20
politely inform the officer of this and ask for assistance.
If the officer will not correct the issue, do not push the matter as you
risk being issued an “expedited removal” which could result in a 5 year
ban from entering the U.S..
If you do not receive the proper notations on your
paper/electronic I-94, you must make an appointment to
meet with a Slutzker Center Advisor.
After meeting with an Advisor, you may be able to obtain
the proper markings from an immigration officer at either:
The Hancock International Airport in Syracuse, or
Customs and Border Protection at the U.S. border
Re-Entry Issues (continued)
If there is a problem with your immigration documents, the
immigration officer may give you a Form I-515A granting you
lawful admission to the U.S. for 30 days and eligibility for all
of the benefits associated with your status.
In order to maintain status, within those 30 days you are required to
meet with a Slutzker Center Advisor and send the documents listed
below to the address that is indicated on the back of the form.
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Completed Form I-515A
Your original I-20/DS-2019 signed by a Slutzker Center Advisor
You original I-94 card
Re-Applying for a U.S. Visa
Visa renewals should be applied for at the U.S. Consulate
in your home country.
U.S. Department of State visa information sheets are available online.
 F-1 students
 J-1 exchange visitors
 Procedures for visa applications at a specific foreign U.S. consulate can be obtained
by selecting the appropriate embassy from the embassy list.

Though not recommended, in some instances it is possible to
apply for a U.S. visa in a third country such as Canada or
Mexico. This is riskier and denials are more frequent.
 Some U.S. Foreign Consulates will not accept renewal application from non-residents
(Consulates along the U.S. border no longer accept applications from non-resident third
country nationals from Cuba, Iran, Sudan, and Syria)
 If you are denied, you must return home and re-apply for a visa and be approved
in order to re-enter the U.S.
Traveling to Obtain a Visa
It is recommended that you schedule a visa appointment
well in advance and prior to exiting the U.S..
Be sure to check visa appointment waiting times at the consulate
prior to traveling.
Also, be sure to check the hours of operation as Consulates may
close temporarily for breaks or holidays.
If visa processing delays will interfere with your ability to
resume your studies, it is advisable to cancel your travel
plans since you may remain in the U.S. with an expired
visa as long as you are maintaining your non-immigrant
status.
Security Policies
Individuals who are citizens of certain countries or with certain
backgrounds may be subject to special security clearances that will
lengthen the visa application processing time.
 Security Check and Special Registration
Individuals from countries identified by the U.S. Department of State as being state
sponsors of terrorism or perceived to have nuclear capability. (Cuba, Iran, Sudan, Syria)
 Background Check
If you have ever been arrested, or if you have a name that is the same as or similar to
someone who has been arrested
 Technology Alert List (TAL)
Students who are considered to be majoring in “sensitive areas of study” as
determined by the U.S. government (e.g., physics) or from countries perceived to pose
national security threats or nuclear capability (China, India, Israel, Pakistan, and Russia).
A TAL delay can take several months to resolve.
Visa Application Requirements
 Passport—valid 6 months beyond date of re-entry
 Valid, accurate I-20 or DS-2019 with current travel signature
 One current 2x2 photograph (passport-sized) has to be uploaded to the
electronic application.
 Completed visa application forms

Form DS-160 (Electronic Nonimmigrant Visa Application)
Some Applicants:
Also required to complete and sign Form DS-157
Child Dependents:
Required to submit additional form, even if they are included in a parent’s passport
 Visa processing fee receipt or payment
 I-901 SEVIS fee receipt or payment if for initial attendance (if applicable)
 Embassy interview
 Biometric procedures: Finger-scan and digital picture
Visa Application (continued)
Be prepared to also provide:
 Transcript and Letter of Registration
 Financial evidence indicating sufficient funds to cover tuition and living expenses
during your program of study
-- e.g., bank statements, affidavit of support, assistantship letter, etc.
 Evidence of binding ties to your home country
Applicants with dependents must also provide:
 Proof of relationship to F-1/J1 (e.g., marriage license, birth certificates)
Applicants who may be subject to Technology Alert List (TAL):
 Resume including research and presentations
 Departmental letter of support noting relevance of study to TAL
Landed Immigrant applying for a U.S. visa in Canada must provide
evidence of:
 Landed Immigrant status (e.g., Permanent resident/Maple Leaf card)
 Established residency in Canada (e.g., home ownership, employment, family ties)
It is not advisable to apply for a new U.S. visa in Canada if you
cannot prove equally strong ties to Canada and your home country
Post-Completion Travel Advisories
After completing an F-1 program you have 60 days to prepare to depart the U.S.;
if you have completed a J-1 program you have 30 days to prepare to depart the
U.S.
Travel and re-entry is not permitted during the exit grace period if:
 You have not been accepted into a new program of study (e.g., Master’s, Ph. D.) and received an
I-20/DS-2019 for the program from the college
 You have not received (F-1) Optional Practical Training or (J-1) Academic Training Approval
 You have not received a new visa for re-entry (e.g., B-2 tourist)
If you have submitted an application for OPT (pending or approved) or have
received Academic Training authorization and travel with an expired visa:
 You must obtain a new visa while abroad in order to re-enter the U.S..
Visa issuance for individuals on practical training can be problematic since it is
more difficult to prove compelling ties to your home country because you are
returning to the U.S. for employment and that may be interpreted as a desire to
obtain H-1B or permanent resident status.
F-1: Post-Completion OPT Travel
If OPT has been approved, also travel with the following
documents:
 New, valid I-20 endorsed for OPT
 Slutzker Center Advisor’s travel signature from last 6 months
 Valid F-1 visa
 Employment Authorization Card (EAD Card)
 Letter from your employer verifying your employment status
If OPT approval is pending, travel is not advised.
If you chose to disregard this recommendation and travel, you must also carry
the following documents:
 New, valid I-20 endorsed for OPT
 Slutzker Center Advisor’s travel signature from last 6 months
 Valid F-1 visa
 USCIS Service Center Receipt of OPT application
 Letter from a U.S. employer indicating a job offer if you have received one
J-1: Post-Completion Academic Training
If you plan to leave the U.S. after you complete your program
of study and re-enter the country for J-1 academic training,
you must apply for work authorization with your RO/ARO prior
to exiting the U.S..
To re-enter the U.S. in J-1 student status, you must have:
 Valid DS-2019
 Slutzker Center Advisor’s travel signature from last 6 months
 Valid J-1 visa
 A valid passport
 A valid Academic Training Authorization Letter
Reminders and Travel Updates
 The Slutzker Center for International Services strongly
recommends that you attend a travel seminar prior to departing
the U.S. since immigration regulations change frequently
 Please submit copies of updated documents to SCIS
(e.g. new I-94 after travel, renewed passport, renewed visa)
 Be sure to keep all immigration documents together in a safe
place
 Be aware of immigration document expiration dates and plan
ahead to have them renewed or updated
 Additional information on immigration issues and Slutzker
Center events is available on our website at:
http://international.syr.edu and SCISNEWS
Connect to Campus
Drop in hours:
Monday through Friday: 11am – 3pm