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OISSS > For International Students > J-1 > Travel: Domestic and International

J-1
Travel: Domestic and International

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 DS-2019 form is required for travel and re-entry to the U. S. An endorsement by an Office of International Student and Scholar Services Advisor on the back of the DS-2019 within the previous 12 months 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 DS-2019 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:

• Financial information to document the funding indicated on your visa certificate,
• A letter from your department verifying your student status,
• Transcript of courses verifying current and previous full-time coursework,
• Passport valid at least six months in advance of your re-entry to the U.S.,
• Marriage certificate and/or birth certificates of children if family members are traveling, in addition to the same documents listed above,

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 at http://usembassy.state.gov regarding current procedures and operating hours before making travel plans. A handout with information on travel abroad and visa application is available at OISSS or may be found here.

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):
Students or Scholars in F-1 or J-1 status and their dependents who are travelling to contiguous territories (Canada or Mexico) or adjacent islands of the U.S (Islands in the Carribean except Cuba) are able to travel to these places on an expired visa stamp as long as they are within the guidelines listed at: http://travel.state.gov/visa/laws/telegrams/telegrams_1441.html.