Global Engagement > Student Resources > International Student & Scholar Services > Travel

Travel

When traveling abroad in F-1 or J-1 visa status, prepare for re-entry to the U.S. before you travel! 

  • The first rule to maintaining lawful immigration status is to ensure that your addresses and contact information are current in Campus Connection.  
  • Any changes to your address, telephone number or email address should be reported within 10 days of any change. 
  • Your updated information in Campus Connection will be sent to SEVIS by ISS. Always be sure that your information is up to date before you travel. 
  • Your addresses and contact information may be verified by CPB at the port of entry. Any discrepancies or outdated information could be considered a violation of your lawful status 
  • Please log into Campus Connection to make sure the following contact information is current: 
    • Home and mailing address in the Chicago area
    • Permanent address in your home country
    • Local phone number
    • E-mail address
    • Emergency contact information
Your passport should be valid for six months beyond your date of entry to the U.S. and must always be valid while studying in the U.S. 
  • Your F-1 or J-1 visa stamp must be valid on the date you enter the U.S. 
  • Check the expiration date of your visa
  • Check the number of entries allowed on your visa (Multiple, 1, 2 etc.) 
  • If you changed your status to F-1 or J-1 while in the U.S. and travel abroad you will need to apply for a new visa before re-entry to the U.S. 
  • F-1 and J-1 students and scholars and F-2 and J-2 dependents need current travel signatures/endorsements from ISS prior to travel. 
  • A travel signature/endorsement indicates that you are maintaining lawful F-1/F-2 or J-1/J-2 status at the time of signature. This is one of the items that CBP officers will use to establish your eligibility to re-enter the U.S.  Review the rules to maintaining lawful status before you travel. If you have any questions, please see your ISS advisor. 
  • Request your travel signature at least 3 business days prior to your planned departure. 
  • Request your travel signature by completing the ISS Travel Signature/Reprint form.
Be prepared to discuss your means of financial support, educational and immigration history when you present at U.S. ports of entry. The following documents help to establish your legitimate reason for re-entry to the U.S. More detailed information may be found at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) website. 
  • Receipt for payment of SEVIS I-901 fee. You can find and print your receipt at the DHS website.
  • Recently issued financial support documents. 
  • ISS letter confirming lawful F-1 or J-1 status (request one week before your trip).  See the ISS Document Requests page for instructions. 
  • DePaul University Student ID card. 
  • DePaul Transcript showing your course history. Official transcripts may be requested through DePaul Central Records. 
Please see your ISS Advisor prior to travel if: 
  • You will travel after applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT). 
  • You will travel during your period of authorized Optional Practical Training (OPT).
  • Your F-1 or J-1 visa stamp will expire before you return to the U.S. 
  • You will be outside the U.S. for more than 5 months,  you are currently in violation of your F-1 or J-1 visa status, or your SEVIS record has been terminated by ISS.
  • Your travel includes/relates to a study abroad program.  
  • You are planning a brief trip to Canada, Mexico or certain islands in the Caribbean and have an expired F-1 or J-1 visa stamp.  You may be eligible for Automatic Visa Revalidation. More information may be found at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement website. 
Please verify that your I-94 admission record has been accurately updated with your most recent date of entry and your immigration status (F-1 or J-1 for D/S "duration of stay") by  U.S. Customs and Border Protection by logging into the CBP I-94 website. You may also print a copy of your most recent I-94 or travel history from the CBP site. Please see your ISS advisor if you observe an error or are unable to access your most recent I-94 record. 

Travel Restrictions


U.S. Supreme Court Decision on Travel Restrictions

On June 26, 2018, the United States Supreme Court upheld the current administration’s strongly contested travel ban, affecting citizens of seven countries: Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen.

Brief Summary

On September 24, 2017, President Trump issued Proclamation 9645 (Travel Ban 3.0) designating eight countries for partial or full restrictions on entry to the United States. The restrictions are country-specific with specific provisions for each impacted country.  The eight countries subject to the Proclamation are: Chad, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Syria, Venezuela, Yemen and Somalia.  Chad was later removed from the list on April 10, 2018.  

Click HERE for more historical information on the contested travel ban.

Travel Advisory
  • At this time, ISS recommends that nationals from seven countries not make travel plans to leave the United States until first consulting with an ISS Advisor.
  • Travel Alert - Electronic Devices.  On March 21, 2017 the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced enhanced security procedures related to international travel carry -on items. The change applies to 10 specific airports. There is no impact on domestic flights in the United States or flights departing the United States. Electronic devices will continue to be allowed on all flights originating in the United States. For a DHS fact sheet on the new security measures, please click HERE.
On March 21, 2017 the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced enhanced security procedures related to international travel carry-on items. The change applies to 10 specific airports.  There is no impact on domestic flights in the United States or flights departing the United States. Electronic devices will continue to be allowed on all flights originating in the United States. For a DHS fact sheet on the new security measures, please click HERE. 

Frequently Asked Questions: 
ISS has created this Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) resource to provide you with some additional information and resources. We are closely monitoring issues that impact our international student and scholar populations and will update this FAQ as necessary.

Yes, the Travel Ban directly impacts, to varying degrees, international students from the following seven countries: Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen. 

If you are a national of one of the seven countries listed, see this simplified cheat sheet.  Please consult with an ISS Advisor for exemption, exception and waiver applicability.

 

Nonimmigrants
F and J Visas		 Nonimmigrants
B1 and B2 Visas		 Other 
Nonimmigrants		 Immigrants
Iran Allowed* Suspended Suspended Suspended
Libya Allowed* Suspended Allowed* Suspended
North Korea Suspended Suspended Suspended Suspended
Somalia Allowed* Allowed* Allowed* Suspended
Syria Suspended Suspended Suspended Suspended
Venezuela Allowed* Suspended** Allowed* Allowed*
Yemen Allowed* Suspended Allowed* Suspended
 * Enhanced screenings and vetting requirements in effect. 

 

** Applies only to officials of government agencies of Venezuela and their immediate families. 

if you are not a national of the listed countries, you should still be aware of the following: 

  • Increased Screenings and Possible Travel Delays: Due to increased scrutiny at POEs (ports of entry) and expected increase of in-person visa interviews at U.S. consulates and embassies abroad, you should expect delays with both visa applications and when traveling to the U.S.

  • Continuous Revisions & Reviews:  Provisions of Travel Ban 3.0 also calls for a review of U.S. visa issuance procedures in all countries as well as visa reciprocity provisions. Such reviews may result in changes in visa application fees, or visa lengths.


  • At this time, ISS recommends that nationals from these seven countries not make travel plans to leave the United States until consulting with an ISS Advisor

  • If you are not from one of the seven countries and plan to travel please make sure that all your travel documents are in order, including a valid entry visa (F-1 or J-1). We also recommend that you request and take with you a letter confirming that you are currently maintaining lawful status. For instructions on how to request your letter online, go here. 
As you know, it is always important to prevent any violations of your F-1 or J-1 status; please review rules for maintaining lawful F-1 or J-1 status.  In the current environment it becomes particularly important to also avoid activities that may seriously impact your immigration status or future visa applications (e.g. common misdemeanor or felony arrests, including theft, drunk driving, shoplifting and drug possession).

We are closely monitoring issues that impact our international student and scholar populations and will update this FAQ as necessary. If looking for information on the internet or social media, please be careful to consult dependable, trustworthy news sources.  More information about this travel ban can be found at the NAFSA Association for International Educators website. You many also contact your ISS advisor at any time. 

International Student and Scholar Services (ISS) is open Monday-Friday, 9:00a.m. - 5:00p.m. 

ISS advisors are available for walk-in advising every Wednesday, 10:00a.m. - 4:00p.m. You can also make individual appointments by calling 312-362-8376. ISS advisors will be able to provide you immigration and visa benefit advising and refer you to other university resources when needed. 
 




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