Returning F-1 Students

Maintaining Status

Employment

Hardship Employment

Special Student Relief

Travel and Re-entry

Extension of Stay

Transferring Schools

Reinstatement

F-2 Dependent Spouse or Child of F-1 Student

Visa and Immigration

Tax Information

Links

ISS Home Page

Return to Office of Leadership and Community Development Home Page

NEWS EVENTS

FEEDBACK

Rate this page:
poor poor
fair fair
good good
excellent excellent

Comment

 

Travel and Re-entry

If traveling outside and re-entering the United States (U.S.) during your stay at SUNY Brockport, you must have the following documents:

  • If you are in F-1/F-2 status: a valid I-20 Form or the I-20 ID copy with a recent signature of an ISS advisor.
  • A valid passport.
  • A valid visa (unless you go to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean islands and return within 30 days; or, unless you are a Canadian citizen).

Travel to Canada

Entry into Canada

Non-immigrant students and scholars in the United States who wish to travel to Canada must have in their possession:

  1. A valid passport.
  2. A valid I-94 Form.
  3. Evidence of return transportation arrangements.
  4. Sufficient funds for the period of stay.
  5. A valid travel document (endorsed I-20).

In addition, citizens of certain countries may be required to apply for a Canadian entry visa. A list of those who must apply for visas and the latest information about visa requirements may be found at the Citizenship and Immigration Canada Web site.

Re-entry to the United States

Visitors wishing to return to the U.S. from Canada must possess:

  1. A valid passport.
  2. A valid I-94 Form.
  3. A valid travel document (endorsed I-20).

Please note: An expired U.S. visa stamp is considered to be "automatically revalidated" if the visitor is returning after a stay of 30 days or less in Canada and has maintained and intends to re-assume the current non-immigrant status, and has the documentation noted above in his or her possession.

Inquiries or requests should be directed to:

Ms. Marlyn Yu
Consulate General of Canada
1251 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020-1175
Tel: (212) 596-1628
http://canada-ny.org

Automatic Visa Revalidation for Travel to Canada or Mexico

Eligibility for Automatic Visa Revalidation

Non-immigrant Status Eligible from the following countries:
F or J Canada, Mexico, or adjacent islands (except Cuba)
H or other non-immigrant status Canada or Mexico only

To re-enter the US after a visit of 30 days or less, you will need to carry:

  1. A valid passport (we recommend that it be valid at least six months into the future).
  2. An expired U.S. visa stamp in your current or previous passport. If your status has been changed by INS, you should also bring your I-797, Change of Status Approval Notification. Your previous visa stamp, whether expired or not, will be considered extended and changed for automatic revalidation upon re-entry.
  3. A valid I-20, signed for re-entry by a "Designated School Official" in ISS within the past year. If you are on post-completion optional practical training, the signature should be less than six months old and you must carry your valid EAD card.
  4. A valid I-94 card. Do NOT give up your I-94 upon leaving the U.S. You will need it to reenter the U.S.
  5. We also recommend that you carry a copy of INS regulation 22 CFR 41.112, which permits the automatic extension of validity of an expired visa. If the INS official wishes to remove your I-94 Card, it may be helpful to show the citation. The INS official may ask you to complete a duplicate I-94 Card upon departure or arrival.

Please keep in mind the following:

  • Make sure that your I-94 is valid. You should have a notation by INS that shows your correct visa classification and an unexpired period of initial stay or extension of stay. If you are in F status, your classification should be noted appropriately as F-1, F-2, and admitted until D/S.
  • If you have violated your status (e.g., worked without authorization), you are not eligible for automatic visa revalidation.
  • You may not travel to any other countries while visiting Canada, Mexico, or an adjacent island.
  • You should not travel if you have submitted an application to INS for a change of status and are waiting for approval. If you are an F-1 student who has completed your studies and have applied for post-completion Optional Practical Training, you should wait until you receive your Employment Authorization Card from INS before you travel.
  • Obtain a visa to enter Canada, Mexico, or an adjacent island, if required. A list of countries whose citizens are required to obtain visas and the latest information about visa requirements may be found at the Citizenship and Immigration Canada Web site. The list is also available at ISS.
  • If you have completed your studies and intend to use Academic Training or Optional Practical Training, you must have work authorization (an EAD card) before traveling.