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International Student Info 鈻� Current Students 鈻�听Travel

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International Student Travel Information

Planning to travel? Whether you are currently enrolled in your academic program or participating in Optional Practical Training (OPT/STEM OPT), it is important to travel with the appropriate immigration and employment documents. Having the required documentation readily available can help verify your legal status, support a smoother travel experience, and reduce potential delays when traveling within the United States or re-entering the country after international travel. Review the information below before making travel plans to ensure you are properly prepared.

Travel While Enrolled in Your Academic Program

Please review the recommended documents below for travel inside and outside of the United States. It is highly recommended to keep printed copies of these documents.听

Documents for Travel Inside the U.S

Please keep printed copies of the following documents with you:
  • Valid Passport
  • Valid F-1 Visa
  • I-20
  • Most Recent I-94
  • Course schedule or Enrollment Confirmation Letter from the Registrar鈥檚 Office
  • CSUDH Transcript
To request an Enrollment Confirmation Letter, please email: Registrar@csudh.edu
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Other Recommended Documents

  • Proof of Financial Support
  • Copy of CSUDH Admissions Letter
  • Proof of health insurance.

Documents for Travel Outside the U.S

It is highly recommended to keep printed copies of these documents:
  • Valid Passport
  • Valid F-1 Visa
  • I-20 with a valid Travel Signature (travel signature is valid for one year from date received)
  • Most Recent I-94
  • Course schedule or Enrollment Confirmation Letter from the Registrar鈥檚 Office at Registrar@csudh.edu
  • CSUDH Transcript
  • Proof of Financial Support
  • Copy of CSUDH Admissions Letter

How to Request an I-20 Travel Signature

F-1/F-2, who plan to travel outside the U.S. and return to CSUDH must have a valid travel signature on their Form I-20 before departure.听 For CSUDH international students, updated I-20 travel signatures are provided by International Student Services (ISS). You are also responsible for confirming entry visa requirements for any country you plan to visit.

Travel Signature Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for a travel signature, students must:
  • Be enrolled in a full-time course load for the upcoming term:
    • Graduate students: 8 units
    • Undergraduate students: 12 units听
  • Purchase the required iSHIP Health Insurance Plan for the upcoming semester through .
  • Fill out and Complete a Travel Signature Request Form

Submit the following documents

  • Travel Signature Request Form.
  • Most recently issued I-20.
  • Make sure to submit the documents to Travel Signature Request DropBox Folder.

Travel signatures are valid for one year from the date they are issued. If you recently received a travel signature, it is still valid and you do not need to request a new one.

Example: If you received a travel signature during the Spring or Summer term, it will be valid for travel during the Fall or Winter session.听听

The ISS Office will not issue a new travel signature if

  • Your current travel signature is still valid.
  • You have not completed the requirements listed above.

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Travel While on Optional Practical Training (OPT/STEM-OPT)

Students on OPT must carry additional documentation when traveling, particularly for international travel. Review the requirements below to ensure you have the necessary documents and a valid travel signature before departing the United States.

Recommended Documents for Travel Within the United States

Travel with printouts of your documents.

It is highly recommended to keep printed copies of these documents.

  • 听 听 听 听 Valid Passport
  • 听 听 听 听 Valid F-1 Visa
  • 听 听 听 听 I-20
  • 听 听 听 听 Recent print out of I-94 (Get Most Recent)
  • 听 听 听 听 EAD Card

Recommended Documents for Travel Outside of United States

It is highly recommended to keep printed copies of these documents.

  • 听 听 听 听 Valid Passport
  • 听 听 听 听 Valid F-1 Visa
  • 听 听 听 听 I-20 with Travel Signature

听 听 听 听 听 听o听 听 Travel Signatures are Valid 6 Months after initial signature page 2 of the I-20

听 听 听 听 听 听o听 听 Travel Signatures from 3 to 4 months ago are still Valid!!

  • 听 听 听 听 Recent print out of I-94 (Get Most Recent)
  • 听 听 听 听 EAD Card
  • 听 听 听 听 Employment Verification Letter

There may be changes to the port of entry process. EXPECT LONGER WAIT TIMES AT THE POINT OF ENTRY TO THE U.S.

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Expired Travel Signature

If your travel signature is expired, you might need a travel signature on your I-20!

Please refer to the information about traveling and how to obtain a travel signature!

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How to request a Travel Signature?

  • Please complete the
  • Make sure employment information and local address is up to date on the SEVP and current I-20.
  • If you have听recently changed employer or moved, update employment and local address before requesting a travel signature.
  • Once you have completed the form, upload the form and your most recent I-20 to this听 dropbox:听
  • You will be sent the I-20 with a travel signature via email.听 Please allow 10-14 business days for processing.

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I received a travel signature back in December, Do I need a new travel signature?

  • If you recently received at travel signature, Do I need a new travel signature
  • If you received a travel signature 3-4 month ago, Travel signatures are valid for 6 Months from the date it was issued.
  • The International Office will not issue a new travel signature, if your last travel signature is still valid!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1-Will a recent change to my employer or address affect my travel signature request?

Yes. Before requesting a travel signature, you must ensure that your current employer and address information are updated in the SEVP Portal. Travel signature requests cannot be processed until all information is current and accurate.

2-Where can I find the travel signature on my Form I-20?

The travel signature is located on page 2 of your Form I-20 in the Travel Endorsement section. Be sure to check the date of your most recent travel signature before making travel plans.

3-How long is a travel signature valid?

For students on OPT/STEM OPT, a travel signature is valid for 6 months from the date it was issued.

4-How long does it take to process a travel signature request?

Travel signature requests typically take 10鈥�14 business days (Monday鈥揊riday) to process. Please submit your request well in advance of your travel date.

Ready to Request Your Travel Signature?

Once you have completed your required documents, please submit them through the Travel Signature Request Dropbox. Our International Student Services team will review your submission and process your travel signature request.

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Please allow a minimum of 10鈥�14 business days for processing, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays and weekends. Due to the number of requests received, processing may take longer.

Travel signatures are valid for one year from the date they are issued. If you recently received a travel signature, it is still valid and you do not need to request a new one.

Example: If you received a travel signature during the Spring or Summer term, it will be valid for travel during the Fall or Winter session.听听

The ISS Office will not issue a new travel signature if

  • Your current travel signature is still valid.
  • You have not completed the requirements listed above.

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Renewing Your F-1 Visa Stamp

Please note that F-1 visas cannot be renewed inside the United States. The visa renewal process must be completed overseas and is similar to the first-time visa application process.

When applying for a visa renewal, you may be asked to provide documents showing your financial support, full-time enrollment, and intent to return to your home country after completing your degree. Be sure to refer to the U.S. Consulate's webpage to confirm documentation required for visa appointment.

Please bring the following documents with you to your visa appointment:

  • Valid passport
  • CSUDH I-20 with a valid travel signature and current, correct information
  • Official CSUDH transcript
  • Financial documents showing the source and amount of funds

Important Note

For travel to Canada, Mexico, or adjacent islands for less than 30 days, eligible students may be able to re-enter the U.S. with an expired U.S. student visa through Automatic Visa Revalidation.

Automatic Visa Revalidation

Automatic Visa Revalidation revalidates the visa only for that single trip. It does not renew the visa. Students will not receive a new visa stamp in the passport.听 F-1 students must meet the requirements to be eligible for Automatic Revalidation.

Not Eligible

Citizens of certain countries may not be eligible for Automatic Visa Revalidation. Students should review the U.S. Department of State guidance before traveling.

Automatic Visa Revalidation Requirements

  • Have a valid I-94.
  • Have a valid and signed I-20.
  • Travel for less than 30 days to Canada, Mexico, or eligible adjacent islands.
  • Maintain and intend to maintain F-1/J-1 nonimmigrant status.
  • Have not applied for a new U.S. visa during the trip.
  • Have not had a visa canceled under INA 222(g).
  • Inform the airline staff or immigration officials that you are an international student using Automatic Visa Revalidation.