Travel

How to request a travel signature:

Bring your I-20 to the International Education office during business hours. You are advised to get your I-20 signed for travel at least two (2) days before your departure day.

Travel Documents Needed for students in F-1 Status

Pack the following documents in your CARRY-ON bag/luggage:

  • Passports must be valid at all times 
  • If your Passport will expire within 6 months of your return, it is recommended that you take steps to renew it. If you have any questions, please contact your advisor. 

  • I-20 should reflect your current program of study with a future end date
  • Should include a DSO signature for travel on page 2
    • How to request a travel signature: Bring your I-20 to the International Education office during business hours. You are advised to get your I-20 signed for travel at least two (2) days before your departure day.
  • Your return-to-the-US date should be before the expiration date of your I-20 travel signature

  • Visa must be valid to enter the U.S. in most cases.
  • The number of allowed entries on an F-1 visa page: Most countries issue an F-1 visa with a “M” (multiple) written under entries. This means that there is no limit on the number of entries for which you can use your F-1 visa.
  • If your visa has expired or your have already used the number of entries you are allowed, you will need to plan to renew your F-1 visa before returning to the U.S. 
  • There are some exceptions for Canada and Mexico – see “Automatic revalidation” below 
  • If you need to apply for a new F-1 visa before returning to the U.S., IE recommends that you bring your class schedule, BC official transcript, financial documents, and an enrollment verification letter from your IE advisor to your visa interview
  • Please note: It has generally been expected an F-1 student who is outside the U.S. for more than five months would require a new visa to re-enter. You are advised to contact the U.S. Consulate in your home country to confirm whether you need a new visa for re-entry.

You are advised to print out and bring the following documents with you:

  • Recent tuition receipts
  • An unofficial transcript
  • Your enrolled classes schedules

F-1 students with an expired U.S. visa (or F-1 I-94 from a change of status) may continue to re-enter the U.S. from Canada or Mexico as long as they meet the following criteria:

  • Passport and current SEVIS I-20 are still valid
  • You remain in Canada or Mexico for no more than 30 days, and you do not leave Canada or Mexico during those 30 days
  • You have not applied for a new U.S. visa while in Canada or Mexico and had that application denied
  • You are not from Iraq, Iran, Syria, Libya, Sudan, North Korea, or Cuba

Special Travel Issues

Other complicated situations – We recommend you consult an immigration attorney for any status issues or complexities prior to departing or attempting to re-enter the U.S.

If you are considering taking a cruise ship you may need to confirm whether the cruise crosses international borders and re-enters the U.S. You may need to procure additional visas or other travel documents, or risk being detained between borders.

If you have violated F-1 status and/or have a Terminated SEVIS I-20, you may not be allowed re-entry into the United States. Consult your International Advisor about options to attempt to regain F-1 status, prior to travelling.

If you were out-of-status and decide to attempt re-entry into the U.S. on a new initial Bellevue College I-20, you may also be required to apply for a new F-1 visa, which may be denied by the Consulate

If you have a pending application for any other visa status, benefit or Permanent Residency then travel outside the U.S. may effectively ‘abandon the application’

If you are in another status other than F-1, please consult your sponsoring agency or company or an immigration attorney prior to travel. Some visa types may require some time spent in your home country prior to re-entering the United States

Last Updated April 14, 2025