Hello from International Student and Scholar Services!
Fall and winter breaks are coming soon, and many of you may be planning trips abroad. Before you leave, make sure your travel signature is up to date. It’s a quick step that helps you return to the United States smoothly.
What is a travel signature?
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. after traveling abroad. The travel signature lets U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) know you have maintained your F-1/J-1 status and are eligible to reenter the U.S.
The travel signature is on page 2 of the I-20 and at the bottom right of the DS-2019.
If your travel signature will still be valid on the day you plan to reenter the U.S., you don’t need to request a new one.
How long is your travel signature valid?
For Enrolled F-1 Students and All J-1 Students and Scholars
Your travel signature is valid for one year.
For F-1 Students on Optional Practical Training
Your travel signature is valid for six months.
Come get a travel signature
Bring a printout of your most recently issued I-20 or DS-2019 to a Travel Signature Drive at the Texas Global office and get your travel signature the same day. We can’t print your document for you, so please print it beforehand.
Travel Signature Drive dates and times:
Can’t attend a Travel Signature Drive? No problem!
You can also request a travel signature through myIO. 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.
Returning to the U.S.
Be sure to review our Know Before You Travel page for a comprehensive list of the documentation you need to reenter the U.S. successfully.
Remember to print your I-20 or DS-2019 and sign it in ink. CBP accepts only printed documents.
This blog post was contributed by Sarah Chiu, program coordinator on the Intercultural Programs and Initiatives team at ISSS.
