F-1 & J-1 Student Travel

How to Get a Travel Signature

F-1 and J-1 visa students require a travel signature on their I-20 or DS-2019 to re-enter the US when traveling abroad. However, these requests are completed virtually and do not require an appointment.

STEP 1: Login to your ISSS Student Portal using your eRaider username and password. Please email your assigned international advisor if you have difficulties logging in.

ISSS Student Portal Login

STEP 2: Submit a Travel Signature request.

STEP 3: Receive a notification in your ISSS Student Portal that your I-20 is ready.

STEP 4: Download your new I-20 from your ISSS Student Portal, print and then sign with wet black ink. You're ready to travel!

Know Before You Go:

• ALWAYS consult your international advisor BEFORE you travel.
• Students should always travel with:
  • A valid passport. It should not expire within 6 months or less.
  • A valid visa. If your visa has expired, you will need to renew your visa to re-enter the US.
  • A valid travel signature. A travel signature is valid for multiple re-entries for 1 year (or 6 months while on OPT/STEM), or until you receive a new I-20.
• If you are an initial student arriving to the US for the first time (using an initial I-20), you do not need a travel signature to enter the US.
• Students are advised to monitor the US government's travel advisories webpage prior to depature.

*Note: Domestic travel does not require a travel signature. 

*J-1 Scholars are also eligible to receive travel signatures virtually, but we encourage in-person appointments with your J-1 advisors, too. Appointments can be made for J-1 scholars here.

How to Get a New Visa

When you are entering the US for the first time, you will need to visit a US embassy or consulate to get a visa entry stamp in your passport.

If you are a continuing student and want to travel abroad, but your visa has expired, you will also need to renew your visa at a US embassy or consulate. However, if you don't plan to travel abroad, you can remain in the US with an expired visa and still maintain your F-1 visa status.

To learn more about how to get a new or renewed visa, visit How To Get a New Visa here.

Traveling to Mexico, Canada or the Carribean

If you plan to travel to Mexico, Canada, or the Carribean, you may qualify to travel on an expired visa and re-enter the US without visa renewal. This is called visa revalidation. Learn more about it here. 

Documents to Carry at All Times

USCIS requests that students carry the following documents at all times, including on-campus:

• I-20 or DS-2019 - This document should always be up-to-date. Reach out to your assigned international advisor to retrieve your current I-20/DS-2019 or to request updates.
• Most Recent I-94 - This document should reflect the correct visa status and most recent date you entered the US.
  • Your name should also be spelled correctly, and the most recent entry date should be accurate. If there is an error in your I-94, please submit a corrections request on the I-94 website here by selecting "I-94/Travel Compliance" and then "Issue with my I-94/Travel History." 

Please remember to also inform your assigned international advisor of any changes to your home address, phone number, and program of study, per USCIS regulations.

Inviting Friends & Family to Visit TTU

We all want our loved ones to join us for special occasions and to make new and unique memories with them. If you plan to invite your friends and family to visit you here at TTU, please learn more about it under the "Inviting Family to Visit" tab here.