If you are a current F-1 student planning to travel abroad, be sure to carry the following documentation with you when you request reentry into the United States.

• A valid passport, with at least 6 months of *validity remaining
  • *Exception: Countries listed on the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) Travel page have an agreement with the U.S. that allows citizens to enter on a current passport up to the actual date of expiration.
• A valid F-1 visa*
  • *Exception: If you are a Canadian or Bermudan citizen, you will not have a visa stamp in your passport.
• A current I-20 with a travel endorsement within the last 12 months
  • Note: Schools may sign and send I-20s electronically. After receiving your I-20 via email, please be sure to print out your I-20 and sign the bottom of page 1, using ink. Carry the print-out of this I-20 when presenting it to U.S. officials.
• Recommended: A copy of your SEVIS I-901 fee receipt (printable from the I-901 fee website)
• Recommended: Proof of funding (i.e. financial aid award, original bank statements, etc.)
• Recommended: Proof of enrollment (i.e. admissions offer, letter from Registrar, etc.)

Failure to have the proper documentation with you can result in you being denied reentry into the U.S. or you being granted temporary, conditional entry with a I-515A.

Note: This list only applies to return travel to the U.S.; you must check to see if you need a visa to enter another country (including transit visas). Check on the website of the embassy of the country you want to visit.

Tip: Read more about travel and reentry for F-1 visa holders, including frequently asked questions on the Department of Homeland Security website. Be aware of customs enforcement procedures at airports.

Travel within the United States

In general, special permission is not required to travel within the U.S. We recommend that you carry your unexpired passport, I-94, and I-20, properly endorsed for travel within the last 12 months, with you whenever you travel outside the Lewiston area.

Tip: It’s a good idea to have a scan of your passport identification page on your phone.​ Carry printouts of your documents, as well as electronic copies. Ensure you make multiple copies of these documents and store them in different places—not all on your person or on a single device you are carrying—to reduce the risk of losing all documentation at once.

Electronic devices while traveling

Remember, your personal electronic devices may be searched at the airport or border. We recommend encrypting private information on your electronic devices and backing them up before traveling in case they are seized. According to the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website, CBP officers may search laptops, cell phones, or other electronic devices. Be aware of sensitive information on electronic devices when traveling.

Travel to a Third Country

When traveling to a third country (a country other than the U.S. or your home country), you are responsible for knowing whether you need an entry visa for that country.

Extended Stays Outside the U.S.

If you leave the U.S. and do not register during the normal academic year for your program, your record in the SEVIS database will be closed for the duration of the leave. If you want to return, refer to the instructions on F-1 Leave of Absence  or Withdrawal.

If you are registered full-time while outside the U.S., contact the DSO to verify that your F-1 status will remain valid.