Greetings from International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS)! We hope you’re enjoying the summer, wherever you may be spending it. For those outside the United States, we’re sharing this gentle reminder that when you head back here to resume your studies, you will need a TRAVEL SIGNATURE on your I-20 or DS-2019.
Do I need a travel signature to re-enter the U.S.?
Yes. All F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors need a travel signature on their I-20 or DS-2019 to return to the U.S. from abroad. The travel signature lets U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) know that you have maintained your F-1/J-1 status and are eligible for re-entry into the U.S.
A travel signature on an I-20 or DS-2019 is valid for one year. Be sure to check your most recent copy of your I-20/DS-2019. If your travel signature will still be valid on the day you plan to re-enter the U.S., you don’t need to request a new one.
Be sure to print out the I-20 or DS-2019 and sign it in ink. CBP will only accept physical documents.
For F-1 Students on Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Your travel signature is valid for only six months, so we highly recommend that you submit a request for a new travel signature within a time frame that aligns with your date of re-entry into the U.S.
Can travel signatures be issued digitally if I am abroad?
Yes. Travel signatures can be issued digitally for F-1 and J-1 students. However, you must print out your electronically sent I-20 or DS-2019, sign it in ink and present it at the port of entry.
How do I digitally obtain a travel signature on my I-20/ DS-2019?
It’s easy! Just log on to myIO to submit a travel signature request.
Follow these steps after logging in:
- F-1 Students: myIO –> F-1 Student Services –> I-20 Travel Signature Request
- J-1 Students: myIO –> J-1 Student Services –> DS-2019 Travel Signature Request
- J-1 Scholars: myIO –> J-1 Scholar Services –> DS-2019 Travel Signature Request
When and how will I receive my travel signature?
Once you’ve submitted your request, all you need do is wait for the request to be approved by an international advisor. The advisor will then email your signed I-20 or DS-2019 to you.
We kindly ask that you allow up to 10 business days for your travel signature request to be approved. Make sure you submit your request with enough time for approval before your return to Austin.
Returning to the U.S.
With your travel-signed I-20 or DS-2019 in hand, you’ve already done the hard part of preparing for your return to the U.S. (and we hope we’ve made it easy).
Make sure you review the Know Before You Travel page for a full list of the documentation you need to successfully re-enter the U.S.
We hope this blog post has found you in the middle of a well-deserved summer break, and we cannot wait to welcome you back to the University of Texas at Austin campus this fall!
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