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Whenever a foreign national enters, leaves or travels within the United States, that individual and all accompanying dependents should carry their immigration documents with them. This is especially important to remember now, during this time of heightened security. These documents include valid passport, I-94 arrival-departure record, and the documents listed below. Please take extra precautions to safeguard your documents both while traveling and while in Chapel Hill. An I-20 form is required for travel within and re-entry to the U. S. An endorsement by an Office of International Student and Scholar Services Advisor on the back of the I-20 within the previous 12 months (6 months if engaging in Optional Practical Training) of re-entry is necessary to be re-admitted to the U.S. in your current non-immigrant visa status, and a recent endorsement is recommended for travel within the U.S. If your visa in your passport has expired, or if you have changed your visa status since the last time you entered the U.S., the Office of International Student and Scholar Services will issue a new visa document for you to apply for a visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate post abroad. Please allow 3 weeks for the Office of International Student and Scholar Services to prepare the proper documents. Other documents that you should have at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate and at the U.S. port of entry include:
A handout with information on travel abroad and information on applying for a U.S. visa stamp is available at OISSS. Based on conditions at each U.S. consular post, some embassies/consulates may have limited non-immigrant visa service, or could at times be closed. We advise that you check the website for U.S. embassies and consulates at http://usembassy.state.gov regarding current procedures and operating hours before making travel plans. Because local circumstances may change quickly, and consular websites may not be updated immediately, we also suggest that you contact the consular post directly before mailing documents or going to the post. WARNING: Due to heightened security, visa approvals abroad are taking from 1 to 3 months and longer as new security checks are conducted for all applicants worldwide. All documentation submitted to a consular or immigration officer is receiving greater scrutiny, so please review and know the contents of all of your documents before presenting them to the U.S. official. Travel to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean Islands (Automatic Revalidation): |