Immigration : F1 : Travel Outside the U.S After Initial Entry

Travel Outside the U.S After Initial Entry

If a student has been maintaining his or her F-1 status, the student is allowed to re-enter the U.S. with a current Form I-20 when returning within five months after temporary absence (e.g., summer vacation).

Important:
Student is not able to re-enter with a current Form I-20 if he or she meets any of the following conditions:

SEVIS record has been terminated (Out-of-Status)
Has been outside the U.S. for more than 5 months
Has no intention to enroll at the University of Arizona
Has already been transferred out to another institution

Required Documents (all must be valid and original copy) at the Port of Entry:

Form I-20 with a travel signature
Passport with a validity date at least six months into the future
F-1 visa stamp
If undergraduate student is concurrently enrolled at Pima, unofficial transcript is required

What You Need To Do:
Step 1: Register for the next semester if eligible
Step 2: Submit the most recent Form I-20 to the ISPS front desk
Step 3: Wait for at least 3 business days
Step 4: Pick up your signed Form I-20 at the ISPS front desk

Note 1: Travel signature should be no more than 6 months old upon reentry if returning from Canada, Mexico, or the Adjacent islands
Note 2: If a student travels to a country other than his or her home country, he or she may need a tourist visa to enter the applicable country
Note 3: Automatic Visa Revalidation may apply if traveling solely to Canada, Mexico, or the adjacent islands
Note 4: If a student is not qualified for re-entry with a current Form I-20, he or she must request a new initial Form I-20 (new SEVIS ID will be assigned)

Office of International Student Programs & Services
915 North Tyndall Avenue P.O. Box 210441 Tucson, Arizona 85721 United States of America
Tel: 1.520.621.4627 Fax: 1.520.621.4069 | Office Hours: 8:00-12:00 1:00-5:00 Monday-Friday