Travel

F-1 Enrolled Students

Current students are free to travel during academic breaks, including weekends, Thanksgiving, Winter Break, Spring Break, and Summer Break. 

When entering the United States, F-1 students should carry the following documents:

• Passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of entry
• Valid F-1 visa stamp
• Valid, up-to-date I-20 with valid travel signature (the travel signature is on page 2 of your I-20 and is valid for 1 year)
• Documents showing you are a student
• For example: your SCU student ID, a print out of your unofficial transcript, class schedule for the upcoming term
• Documents showing your ability to pay for tuition and living expenses
• For example: proof that you either have already paid tuition or proof that you have the money to pay tuition for the upcoming term

F-1 Alumni on OPT or STEM OPT Extension

Alumni are free to travel at any point in their practical training period.

When entering the U.S. F-1 alumni on OPT or STEM OPT Extension should carry the following documents:

• Passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of entry
• Valid F-1 visa stamp
• Most recently issued I-20 with valid travel signature (the travel signature is on page 2 of your I-20 and if you have completed your degree, the signature is valid for 6 months)
• Valid OPT or STEM OPT EAD Card(s)
• Proof of OPT / STEM OPT engagement
• For example: job offer, an employment verification letter, and / or a few recent pay stubs

If your travel is more than 30 days, you should collect documentation from your employer approving your travel. 

If you are employed, please be sure that you have properly reported employment to our office via our OPT Reporting Portal.

J-1 Exchange Visitors

Non-degree Students, Professors and Research Scholars

J-1 Students are free to travel during academic breaks, including weekends, Thanksgiving, Winter Break, Spring Break and Summer Break. 

J-1 Scholars are free to travel at any time during their program but should not be outside of the U.S. for more than 30 days at a time. If you must be outside the U.S. for more than 30 days, contact scholars@scu.edu for guidance.

When entering the U.S. J-1 Exchange Visitors (students and scholars) should carry the following documents:

• Passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of entry
• Valid J-1 visa stamp
• Most recently issued DS-2019 with valid travel signature (the travel signature is on page 1 of your DS-2019; the signature is valid for 1 year)
• Proof of your program participation 
• Student examples: your admission letter, your class schedule
• Scholar examples: your invitation or employment offer letter
• Proof of your health insurance
• Proof of funding documents

F-2 Dependents

F-2 dependents are free to travel at any time during their program. There is no time limitation to the duration they can be outside the U.S. F-2 dependents are not eligible to enter the U.S. if the F-1 primary student is not travelling with them or already in the U.S.

When entering the U.S. F-2 dependents should carry the following documents:

• F-2 Spouse: Proof of Marital Relationship (such as, marriage certificate, with translation)
• F-2 Child: Proof of Parental Relations (such as, birth certificate, with translation)
• Proof of funding for time in the U.S. (must be dated within 3 months and in English)
• Proof of the family member’s F-1 status

• Copy of F-1 student's most recent SCU I-20
• Copy of F-1 student's passport and F-1 visa stamps
• Copy of F-1 student's I-94 (print here: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/)
• If the F-1 student is a currently enrolled student: 
• Copy of the admission letter
• Enrollment verification letter or transcripts
• Class schedule print out
• If the F-1 student has graduated and is on OPT / STEM OPT: 
• Copy of your OPT / STEM OPT EAD card(s)
• Letter from your company verifying the OPT / STEM OPT employment
• 3 Pay-stubs showing the OPT / STEM OPT employment 

J-2 Dependents

J-2 dependents are free to travel at any time during their program. There is no time limitation to the duration they can be outside the U.S. J-2 dependents are not eligible to enter the U.S. if the J-1 primary student or scholar is not travelling with them or already in the U.S.

When entering the U.S. J-2 dependents should carry the following documents:

• Passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of entry
• Valid J-2 visa stamp
• Most recently issued J-2 DS-2019 with valid travel signature (the travel signature is on page 1 of your DS-2019; the signature is valid for 1 year)
• J-2 Spouse: Proof of Marital Relationship (such as, marriage certificate, with translation)
• J-2 Child: Proof of Parental Relations (such as, birth certificate, with translation)
• Proof of funding for time in the U.S. (must be dated within 3 months and in English)
• Proof of health insurance
• J-2 EAD Card (if any)
• Proof of the family member’s J-1 status:

• Copy of J-1's DS-2019
• Copy of J-1's passport and visa stamp
• Proof of J-1's health insurance
• J-1 student documents: your admission letter, your class schedule
• J-1 scholar documents: your invitation or employment offer letter

I-94 Admission Record

Once you re-enter the U.S. we recommend that you download and save or print your new I-94 Admission Record which proves that you were properly admitted to the U.S. Typically your I-94 Admission Record is automatically updated each time you enter the U.S. and should be available within 24 hours of admission.  If you are unable to retrieve your I-94 within 24 hours of admission, or notice error please contact our office via email at iss@scu.edu.

F-1 Visa Renewal

The F-1 visa stamp needs to be valid when you are entering the U.S., however, it is allowed to expire while you are here. You only need to renew the visa if it expires and you depart the U.S., since it would need to be valid in order for you to re-enter.

We advise against renewing your F-1 visa stamp before it has expired. If you can return to the U.S. before the visa expires, then you should wait to renew it until the next time you travel internationally.

If you plan to travel after your visa stamp expires, you will need to plan to be outside the U.S. long enough to renew it before you are able to return. The best option for renewing your visa would be to do so the next time you are in your home country. We do not generally recommend applying for the visa renewal in a third country as this poses a higher risk for F-1 denial. The best time for visa renewal, if you are a currently enrolled student, is during summer break since it allows for more time in case of administrative processing.

More information about the visa application process and the possibility of mail in or drop box can be found on the designated website of the Embassy or Consulate that you will visit. You must be in your country and should not mail in your passport from the US.

Please review the information above for more details regarding travel guidance and the list of documents we recommend students carry with them.

What To Expect When Entering The U.S.

Please visit our Arrival and Getting to SCU page for more information about what to expect when entering the U.S. and going through immigration inspection with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

US immigration regulations are complex and change frequently.  The University strives to maintain a website that is both current and helpful, however, Santa Clara University is not responsible for students maintaining lawful immigration status; this is the responsibility of the student.  Further, resources and links do not constitute endorsement by Santa Clara University.