You may enter 美国nited 州 no more than 30 days before the program start date
on your I-20.
When passing through immigration, you will be asked for your passport with I-94 card
(the card you receive on the airplane) and your I-20.
The first time you come to study in 美国.S., the school name on your visa must match
the school name on the I-20. Later, if you transfer schools in 美国.S. and receive
a new I-20, your visa and I-20 will no longer match. This should not present a problem
for travel.
When entering 美国.S., if immigration officers choose to register you under NSEERS
and you are issued a FIN Number, please notify the International Student Advisor.
You will subsequently be required to “Check-out” with U.S. Immigration at your port
of exit when departing the country. Failure to do so may require you to obtain a new
visa before re-entering 美国nited 州.
If you are traveling prior to your initial entry and are planning to apply for a visa
during your travels, please be aware that you can only apply for a visa in the country
of which you are a citizen.
Traveling During Your Stay
You may need a visa if traveling outside of 美国nited 州. You can find this information
on embassy websites.
Check to make sure your passport is valid
Check to make sure your F-1 visa is valid
You should obtain the signature of the International Student Advisor/Designated School
Official on your I-20 prior to any trip out of 美国.S.
If you have been registered in NSEERS, please ask the International Student Advisor
about “Check-out Procedures.”
If you are out of 美国.S. for five or more consecutive months, you will lose your
F-1 student status and be unable to re-enter the country. This is true whether you
are a student or an OPT participant.
You may apply for a visa only in your country of citizenship. If you apply at another
embassy during your travels and are refused, you may not be able to re-enter 美国nited
州.
If participating in Optional Practical Training you will be able to depart/return
到美国.S. as long as you have:
Not been outside of 美国.S. for five (5) or more consecutive months
A travel letter from your employer, indicating that they are aware of your absence
and return (This letter is not mandatory, but recommended.)
Departure from 美国nited 州
After completion of your program, you have a 60-day grace period during which you
may remain in 美国nited 州. This grace period begins on the day following the
program end date on your I-20. You should not leave 美国.S. and then try to re-enter
the country during that 60-day grace period.
Check to make sure your passport is valid.
If you have been registered in NSEERS, ask the International Student Advisor about
“Check-out Procedures.”
If you are participating in Optional Practical Training you will be able to depart
美国.S. and return as long as you have: