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Attention! Will your travel require an official leave of absence from UCSD? Check with your departmental administrator:

• Postdoctoral appointments: Office of Postdoctoral Scholar Affairs/GEPA ( [email protected] )
• Visiting Scholars: Office of Research Affairs ( [email protected] )
• Visiting Graduate Students: GEPA ( support.ucsd.edu )
• Career Staff appointments: Human Resources/Health Sciences Human Resources  
• Academic Appointments: Academic Personnel Services

J-1/J-2 Travel Signature Requests:

Attention if any of the following applies to you, please consult with an iseo advisor before traveling outside of the u.s..

• I have applied for a waiver of the Two Year Home Residency Requirement (212e)
• I am considering applying or have applied for a change of status.
• I am considering applying or have applied for permanent residency.
• ISEO is planning to extend or file a petition to extend my status.

Travel and Re-Entry

Always keep important documents with you while you are in the U.S. and abroad. At airports, train stations, and other transportation hubs you will need to present your original documents to establish your identity, so be prepared.

When making travel plans to travel outside of the U.S., we advise you to be prepared. Below we have provided you with some advice about the documentation that you will need to carry with you when you return. For general information, please refer to information provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at: http://www.cbp.gov/travel

If you decide to return to the U.S. without all of your valid documents, you may be subject to secondary inspection. It will be at the sole discretion of the port-of-entry officer to grant you re-entry to the U.S. If you are allowed entry, you may be issued a Form I-515A. This allows a scholar to enter the U.S. for up to 30 days, within which time the scholar will report to the Responsible Officer at their institution for required documentation. The 30-day period will be reflected on a date-specific I-94 Arrival/Departure Record (not stamped "D/S"). If you are issued a Form I-515A, please report to ISEO for further assistance.

Traveling North?

Some people may be asked to present important documents when passing through checkpoints in San Clemente or near Rainbow on the I-5 freeway.

Traveling Abroad?

When traveling to a third country (other than your home country or the U.S.), remember that a new set of laws will be in effect. You are likely to need a visa to enter that country. To learn more about visa requirements, contact the country’s closest consulate in the U.S.

For information on travel to Canada and Mexico, please visit:

• Canada:  Citizenship and Immigration Canada
• Mexico: Instituto Nacional de Migracion (visitor visas), or San Diego Mexican Consulate General (visa application)

Documents Required for Re-entry

To re-enter the U.S. to continue your program/employment after a short break outside of the country, it is necessary to have proper documentation. Prepare these documents in the U.S. before leaving and keep all documents handy during your travels.

Visitors traveling to the U.S. are required to be in possession of passports that are valid for six months beyond the period of their intended stay in the U.S.  For a list of countries exempt from the six month rule, see  Six Month Club . (Six Month Club validity on your passport does not apply to U.S. Citizens returning to the United States.)

• Valid passport (minimum of 6 months into the future)
• Valid, unexpired F-1 visa stamp in your passport
• Current Form I-20 with valid travel signature (page 3) from the International Office that issued the document
• Valid Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
• Letter from your employer certifying continuing employment at UC San Diego
• Valid, unexpired J-1 visa stamp in your passport
• Valid Form DS-2019 with valid  travel signature from the International Services and Engagement Office* *If your Form DS-2019 requires a valid travel signature, complete the online request ; p lease allow 5 business days for processing.
• Appointment letter (optional)
• Valid passport*  *Please note: If your passport expires before the H-1B approval date on your I-797 approval notice, your status end date will be reduced accordingly on your physical or electronic I-94 Arrival/Departure record. 
• Valid, unexpired H-1B visa stamp in your passport
• Current I-797 form (H-1B Approval Notice)
• Copy of (I-129 and ETA9035) petition
• Letter from your employer certifying continuing employment at UC San Diego ( https://ucpath.ucsd.edu/ ) 
• Earning Statements for previous two months ( https://ucpath.ucsd.edu/ ) 
• Valid passport* *Please note: If your passport expires before the H-1B approval date on your I-797 approval notice, your status end date will be reduced accordingly on your physical or electronic I-94 Arrival/Departure record. In that case, you must notify the International Services and Engagement Office so that we can apply for an extension to recapture your original approval period .
• Valid, unexpired O-1 visa stamp in your passport
• Current I-797 form (O-1 Approval Notice)
• Copy of (I-129) petition
• Valid passport
• Original physical or electronic I-94 Arrival/Departure record indicating prior entry in TN status and annotated with employer's name
• Valid, unexpired TN visa stamp in your passport (Canadians citizens are not required to have visa stamps for entry to the U.S.)
• Canadian citizens are eligible for expedited reentry through the  NEXUS program .
• Valid, unexpired B-1/B-2 visa stamp in your passport
• Letter from your inviting department indicating the business nature of your activities on campus (see  sample letter )
• Valid, unexpired ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) registration; see  https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/

Family members in derivative status (F-2, J-2, H-4, O-3, TD) will need to have valid documents respective to their immigration status listed from items #1 through #3 as well. Non-citizen Canadian spouse/dependents will need TD visa stamps.

Visa Stamp Renewal

• If your visa stamp has expired you will need to renew it; see  applying for a visa .
• If you are traveling to adjacent countries, you may not need to apply for a new visa stamp; see Automatic Visa Renewal below.
• If you are applying for a new visa as a Third Country National and are required to wait for its issuance, do NOT under any circumstances return to the U.S. in B status to work while you wait for the visa approval

What To Do with Your I-94

For general travel to other countries: (if traveling to Mexico, Canada, or the Caribbean islands excluding Cuba for 30 days or less, see Automatic Visa Revalidation below):

U.S. Customs & Border Patrol (CBP) Officer will create an electronic automated arrival Form I-94 record during the admissions process for nonimmigrants entering the United States at an air or sea port.  Upon entry, please retrieve your admission (I-94) number and print a copy of the I-94 for your record from the  Form I-94 website . If an employer, local, state or federal agency requests admission information, present your admission (I-94) number along with any additional required documents requested by that employer or agency. If your record is NOT FOUND, please contact the International Services and Engagement Office.

Apply for I-94 prior to entry , if entering via land border (not air/sea). If you are entering via land border you MUST apply for an I-94 within seven days prior to entering the U.S.  or you may be required to go to Secondary Inspection with U.S. Customs at time of reentry ; there is a $6 application fee. After entry, you can retrieve your I-94 online . If you are entering via air or sea you do NOT need to apply for an I-94 prior to your entry. After entry, you can retrieve your I-94 online

• CBP's travel website
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Alert, "CBP Announces Automation of Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record"
• Form I-94 Fact Sheet  (PDF | 133 KB)
• Form I-94 Quick Reference Guide  (PDF | 1.8 MB)

Automatic Visa Revalidation (AVR)

Definition:  Your expired U.S. entry visa is considered to be automatically extended to the date of reentry provided that the visa has not been canceled, and that you have not applied for a new visa.  To take advantage of AVR your travel must be to contiguous/adjacent entities for less than 30 days.  Rules governing AVR are found in the United States  Code of Federal Regulations .

• Contiguous countries are: Canada, Mexico, and the adjacent islands: Saint Pierre, Miquelon, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, the Windward and Lee Islands, Trinidad, Martinique, and the British, French and Netherlands territories or possessions in or bordering the Caribbean Sea. Cuba is excluded.
• H-1B workers  are allowed to take advantage of AVR for travel to Canada and Mexico ONLY.
• AVR is not available to individuals from countries designated as state sponsors of terrorism .
• If you were issued a physical I-94 card (as opposed to automated, electronic version) DO NOT  surrender your I-94 card when departing the U.S.; you must keep it for reentry and automatic revalidation of your visa stamp.  If you were issued an automated, electronic I-94, your I-94 will be verified electronically and you will be eligible for AVR if you meet all other requirements (as listed here).
• If you have a physical I-94 card that you will be using for automatic visa revalidation, and the flight attendant or officer asks for your I-94 card, politely inform them that you are taking advantage of the AVR provision.
• AVR is only for business/leisure travel for fewer than 30 days.
• AVR is not  valid for people who travel from a contiguous/adjacent entity, such as Canada, to a non-contiguous country, such as Germany, and then return to the U.S. via a contiguous/adjacent entity.
• If you have changed your status while in the U.S. and hold a visa for the previous status, you may still take advantage of AVR, as long as you bring the supporting documents for your new status.  For example, if you changed your status from F-1 to H-1B, but still only have an expired F-1 visa, you may still use AVR.

For more information regarding AVR, please visit the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol websites.

Please note: you may require a visa to  enter  Canada/Mexico or Caribbean countries. 

DHS Security Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (TRIP)

The Department of Homeland Security Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP) is a single point of contact for individuals who have inquiries or seek resolution regarding difficulties they experienced during their travel screening at transportation hubs—like airports and train stations—or crossing U.S. borders, including:

• watch list issues
• screening problems at ports of entry
• situations where travelers believe they have been unfairly or incorrectly delayed, denied boarding or identified for additional screening at our nation’s transportation hubs

DHS TRIP  is part of an effort by the departments of State and Homeland Security to welcome legitimate travelers while still securing our country from those who want to do us harm.

Deferred Inspection

Deferred inspection provides assistance to those individuals who at the time of entry into the United States believe that the documentation and corresponding endorsements issued at the port of entry require review and possible correction. They are available to review and issue the necessary documents to remedy errors recorded on arrival documents relating to improper non-immigrant classification, inaccurate biographical information or incorrect period of admission, if appropriate.

Please note: The deferred inspection sites will only correct errors issued at the time of entry to the United States. You must bring your immigration documents with you for possible correction: Passport, DS-2019, I-94, I-20, or I-797

For information regarding public transportation in San Diego visit our Transportation and Commuting Alternatives page.

Working from Outside the U.S.A.

If you have plans to work for UCSD while outside the U.S., please consult with your department and any offices relevant to your position title (Office of Postdoctoral and Research Scholar Affairs, Academic Personnel Services, etc.). There may be restrictions and policies that could affect your situation.

Anyone working outside of the U.S. on UCSD research must also  complete the Export Control Remote Work review form . This will then be routed to Export Control as well as IT to conduct a license review and ensure that data is being accessed properly in other countries.

Click below to view enlarged travel flyer.

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Current & Returning Students

Traveling as an international student, (this page has a friendly link that's easy to remember: itravel.ucsd.edu ), general tips.

• Plan ahead! Make sure all your documents are up to date, such as having a valid travel signature and being sure you have submitted your Check-In Form .
• Please be aware of potential delays for reentry if you need to renew your visa and consider visa appointment availability in your home country.
• Contact ISPO before your departure if you have any questions by visiting icontact.ucsd.edu .
• For information on transportation to the airport, click here .
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Travel Signature Request Form

Note: Allow five (5) business days for processing. RUSH requests will only be considered on a case-by-case basis.

• Family name: *
• Given name: *

• E-mail address (UCSD preferred as the official e-mail for correspondence): *

A U.S. phone number is required. If you do not have a U.S. phone number yet, please list the phone number of a contact you have here in the U.S. (e.g. friend, department facilitator)

• Travel Signatures Required: Travel Signatures Required: J-1 J-2 Dependent J-1 AND J-2 Dependents
• If the travel signature request is for J-2 dependents, write the name of the J-1 Holder below. Format: SURNAME/FAMILY NAME, First Name of J-1
• San Diego residential address: San Diego residential address: * Street Address Address Line 2 City Select a State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming State / Province / Region Postal / Zip Code United States Country
• Purpose of travel * Purpose of travel Business Personal Both (Business & Personal)
• No travel plans No travel plans I do not have plans to travel right now

Note: if you plan to travel outside of the U.S. for more than 30 days for business purposes, you need to submit a leave of absence authorization form.

• Have you applied for a waiver of the Two Year Home Residence Requirement (212e)? * Have you applied for a waiver of the Two Year Home Residence Requirement (212e)? Yes No
• Health insurance requirement * Health insurance requirement I have health insurance coverage through my UC San Diego sponsoring department I am covered by my home country health insurance plan during my stay in the U.S. I have purchased a health insurance plan through Gallagher/Garnett Powers Other
• Enter your health insurance information here *

The Department of State requires me and all of my J-2 dependent family members to have the following minimum health insurance coverage throughout my stay: • Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per year or accident • Repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000 • Medical evacuation expenses in the amount of $50,000 • Annual Deductible cannot exceed $500 per accident or illness • Coinsurance not to exceed 25 percent of the covered benefits per accident or illness I understand that government regulations require the university to notify the Department of State and terminate my J-1 status if they determine that I or my family members willfully fail to comply with the health insurance requirements. I have been informed about the health insurance requirements, the cost involved, and the need to maintain the insurance for myself and all family members throughout my stay at UC San Diego.​

• I have read and understand these terms. * I have read and understand these terms. Yes

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Admitted International Students

Welcome to uc san diego.

Congratulations on your UC San Diego admission! As a newly admitted international student, please complete the additional steps listed below. 

Complete and Submit a WES Course-by-Course Evaluation to UC San Diego

Beginning with the Fall 2023 admissions cycle, all admitted students who have earned a degree from an institution outside of the U.S. are required to submit a WES Course-by-Course ICAP Evaluation to UC San Diego in order to have their admission finalized. If you have been admitted for Fall 2022, this requirement does not apply to you. Do not send your official materials directly to UC San Diego. They must be uploaded to your WES account for further evaluation. Additional details around the WES Course-by-Course evaluation can be found here . 

Apply for Form I-20 or Form DS-2019

Please wait at least 48 hours after accepting admission to complete this step.

International students requiring an F-1 or J-1 visa to study in the USA must request a form I-20 (certificate of eligibility for non-immigrant F-1 students) or form DS-2019 (certificate of eligibility for non-immigrant J-1 exchange visitors). The I-20 or DS-2019 is required to apply for the F-1 or J-1 visa from abroad. International students who are currently in the U.S. in F-1 or J-1 status and plan to transfer their SEVIS record to UC San Diego are also required to submit the I-20 or DS-2019 request. 

• Submit the I-20 or DS-2019 request through iPortal. To access iPortal , you must first Set up password for your UCSD Personal ID (PID) . Please allow at least 24 hours after submitting your Statement of Intent to Register and creating your account and password to access the iPortal. The International Students & Programs Office will begin reviewing I-20 requests on March 1, 2021.
• International students must demonstrate financial ability to support studies in the United States. Please refer to this link for required funding for your program and acceptable financial documents to submit:  https://ispo.ucsd.edu/submit-request/i20-ds2019-funding.html#Graduate:-Ph.D.-and-Master's-Pr
• Review the Pre-Arrival Checklist and make plans to attend the International Student Orientation in September.

For questions regarding your I-20/DS-2019 or F-1/J-1 Visa, please visit here:  https://ispo.ucsd.edu/submit-request/i20-ds2019-funding.html

Attend Graduate Student Orientation

International Graduate Students must attend the International Student Orientation .  This is in addition to the Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs New Graduate Student Orientation. 

Meet the English Language Requirement

English Language Requirement for International Teaching Assistants (TA)

In order to serve as a Teaching Assistant for the first time at UCSD, international graduate students whose first language is not English must be certified as having the requisite English language oral communication skills (regardless of year in the program). International graduate students who are appointed as a Teaching Assistant without being certified are subject to having their TA appointment rescinded by the hiring unit or the Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs.  This policy does not apply to students who serve as Teaching Assistants in courses conducted in a language other than English .

ISPO Webinars and Events

The Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs and International Students and Programs Office (ISPO) are offering a series of webinars this spring and summer to provide information to incoming international graduate students. Presentations will be posted here after the webinars have ended. 

• Teaching Assistants & English Language Requirements (Graduate) - April 2 at 8:30am PT
• Student Life/ Getting Involved (Graduate) - April 4 at 8:30am PT
• Finances & Student Accounts Webinar (All) – May 2 at 8:30am PT
• SEVIS Transfer Process (All) – TBD
• Campus Safety (All) – May 9 at 8:30am PT
• Welcome to UC San Diego: First Steps (Undergraduate) – April 16 at 8:30am PT
• Applying for your U.S. Visa (Undergraduate) – April 18 at 8:30am PT
• Undergraduate Housing – April 23 at 8:30am PT  
• Student Health: Insurance & Immunization Requirements (Undergraduate) – April 25 at 8:30am PT
• Student Life/Getting Involved (Undergraduate) - May 7 at 8:30am PT
• What to Do Immediately
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How to Request a New Travel & Entertainment Card

The article outlines the process of applying for a Travel and Entertainment Card. It provides a step-by-step guide on the application procedure, offering essential information on the required steps and documentation. This resource aims to assist individuals in efficiently navigating the application process for a Travel and Entertainment Card.

Prerequisites

• Before applying, review the Travel and Entertainment Card Blink Pages to understand what restrictions and regulations apply to the card.
• Download, complete, and sign the Travel & Entertainment Cardholder Agreement.

Essential Information

• A T&E Card request MUST include a fully completed Travel & Entertainment Cardholder Agreement form attachment.
• The request will be returned if the attached form does not include the following:

                       - Signature of the cardholder and the Financial Unit Approver

                       - Cardholder phone number and UCpath ID number

• A request for a new T&E card can be prepared by a delegate up to the point of submission but then the prospective cardholder must submit the request while logged in under their own Concur profile.
• Red alerts in a request are hard stops that provide information as to what you need to update or what you are missing. Orange alerts are informational and provide key details about policy that you should be aware of upon submission. 
• Log into Concur using your Single Sign-On.

• Cards  must have a UCSD address as the account address.
•  In the  Detailed business purpose for this request field, enter the business purpose for applying for the T&E card and then press Save

• The request will be routed to the Financial Unit approver then routed to the Travel & Entertainment Card team for final review.
• On receipt and approval of the application by the Travel & Entertainment Card team, it takes approximately two weeks until the card is received at the campus address.

Supplemental Guides

• To learn how to assign users to act on your behalf, refer to article KB0031969: How to add a Request Delegate and an Expense Delegate in Concur.
• To learn how to act as a delegate for another user, refer to article KB0031975: How to act as a Delegate in Concur.

If you need any additional assistance, please submit a ticket  here or call the IPPS Help Desk at (858) 534-9494. 

Travel Signature

Updated 12/3/2023

A signed I-20/DS-2019 is not required to depart the U.S.; however, international students and scholars who are reentering the U.S. must ensure they have a valid travel signature on their I-20/DS-2019. Only Designated School Officials (F-1)/ Responsible Officers (J-1) at the Office of International Services are permitted to sign the I-20/DS-2019 for travel.

Travel Signature Endorsement and Validity

Continuing students/scholars.

The signature on page 2 or 3 of the I-20 or on the bottom right corner of page 1 of the DS-2019 is valid for 12 months. If your re-entry date to the U.S. is within 12-months from the last signature, you will be eligible to re-enter on that I-20/DS-2019.  However, if you re-enter after the 12-month period, then a new travel signature is required.

Information for F-1 students on OPT/STEM OPT

The signature on page 2 or 3 of the OPT I-20 is valid for 6 months from when it was signed. If your re-entry date is within 6 months from the last signature, you will be eligible to re-enter on that I-20.  However, if you re-enter after the 6-month time frame, a new travel signature is required.

Information for J-1 Short-term Scholars and J-1 Students on Academic Training 

Travel signatures are valid for 6 months or until the end of program, whichever is sooner.

How to Request a Travel Signature Remotely

Students/scholars who need a travel signature should request one prior to their departure from the U.S. if possible. A travel signature require seven business days processing time. Please arrange your travel/re-entry plans accordingly.

F-1 Students

To request a travel signature, the student must submit a Travel Signature I-20 Request . The processing time for these requests is  seven (7) business days . The I-20 will be signed electronically and emailed to student’s USC email account. U.S. Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS), Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), and Department of State (DoS) accept electronically signed I-20s.

J-1 Students/Scholars

To request a travel signature, the Exchange Visitor (EV) must complete the Student Travel Signature Request or Scholar Travel Signature Request form . The processing time for these requests is  seven (7) business days . The DS-2019 will be signed electronically and emailed to the EVs USC email account. Please note that EVs are not permitted to digitally sign the DS-2019. U.S. Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS), Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), and Department of State (DoS) accept electronically signed DS-2019s.

Special note for J-2 Dependents: OIS will automatically include travel endorsements for all J-2 records on file with the J-1 Exchange Visitor’s request.

Did you forget to get your I-20/DS-2019 endorsed for travel? 

Enter the U.S. on I-515A. The I-515A is a document issued by the U.S. Port-of-Entry officer that allows students and scholars to re-enter the U.S. on a temporary status of 30 days.  If you do not have a valid travel signature, you will likely be issued a Form I-515A by the U.S. Port-of-Entry officer.  Since this is a temporary stay document that only allows 30 days stay in the U.S., it is very important that you contact OIS immediately upon arrival to fix your status to F-1 or J-1 D/S.  Entering on an I-515A may cause some delays at the Port of Entry, so please plan accordingly.

Please visit the  Contact Us page for OIS office hours and closures. Any requests submitted during weekend or holiday closures will not be processed and emailed until the office reopens.

Reminder: Upon re-entry to the U.S., students should print out their I-94 Arrival/Departure record .

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I-20 Travel Signature

A Travel Signature on an I-20 is a signature that is issued by an international student advisor. It verifies that you are a full-time student in valid F-1 immigration status at UT. The signature appears on page 3 of the I-20.

Once your document has been signed, the signature is valid for one year (six months if you are on Optional Practical Training). Your travel signature must be valid when you re-enter the U.S. in F-1 status. If you need a new travel signature, you can request one through myIO . 

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International Travel

This page includes information you will need when traveling outside of the U.S., including:

• Documents Needed to Re-Enter the U.S.
• Traveling with Dependents

Travel to Canada

Travel to mexico.

• Secondary Inspection (Form I-515A) and your I-94
• Traveling after Program Completion

These guidelines are relevant if you plan to return to the U.S. after traveling. When traveling from the U.S. you will need:

• A valid passport If your passport has expired while in the U.S., the country you are visiting may turn you away. To extend your passport while in the U.S., contact your embassy or consulate.
• Visas for countries to be visited  Countries you are going to visit may have visa requirements. In some cases, you may need a visa for countries in which you stop over to change planes. To avoid any hardship, check to see if you need visas well in advance of your travel date. For information, we recommend calling the embassies or consulates of the countries you are visiting. A list of embassies and contact information can be found at http://www.embassy.org/embassies/

Documents needed when re-entering the U.S.:

Travel with dependent family members.

Dependents (spouse or children) should travel with their own passport, U.S. visa, and immigration documents (see above), as well as copies of the primary visa holder’s documents, as proof of their legal non-immigrant status in the U.S.

Canadian Citizens:

Canadian citizens do not need a visa to enter the U.S. However, Canadian citizens MUST have their passport and I-20 Form (or DS-2019) with them at the point of entry in order to receive the I-94 form with the proper visa category marked on it. Without a proper I-94 form you cannot be compensated by UCSB for your work or enroll as a student.

You may need a visa to enter Mexico, depending on your nationality.   If you do need a visa to visit Mexico, check well in advance with the Mexican Consulate and ask them as to what documents you will need to present to them in order to obtain a visa and the processing time involved.   Requirements for a Mexican visa depend on your nationality.

Consulate General of Mexico                     3151 West Fifth Street  E-100 Oxnard, CA 93030 Phone:  (805) 984-8738 Fax: (805) 984-8747 Web:  http://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/oxnard/       

You may need a visa to enter Canada, depending on your nationality.   If you do need a visa to visit Canada, check well in advance with the Canadian Consulate and ask them as to what documents you will need to present to them in order to obtain a visa and the processing time involved.   Requirements for a Canadian visa depend on your nationality.

Consulate General of Canada 550 South Hope Street, 9 th  Floor Los Angeles, CA 90071-2617 Phone:  (213) 346-2700 Fax:  (213) 346-2767 Email:  [email protected] Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Web:   https://www.international.gc.ca/country-pays/us-eu/los_angeles.aspx?lang=eng

Automatic Re-validation

Re-entering the U.S. from Mexico or Canada

You will need to have a valid I-94 card, valid passport and an I-20 or DS-2019 with an up-to-date Travel Validation Signature in order to re-enter the U.S. from Mexico or Canada.  You do not need a valid visa to re-enter the U.S. from Mexico or Canada if your trip is for 30 days or less  EXCEPT as noted below:

• If you apply for a new visa while in Mexico or Canada, you may not re-enter the U.S. on an expired visa.   You will need to remain in Mexico or Canada until your new visa is issued.  If a new visa is not issued to you in Mexico or Canada, then you will have to travel to your home country and apply for a new visa there.
• If you are a citizen of Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Syria or Sudan, you may not re-enter the U.S. from Mexico or Canada on an expired U.S. visa. Generally the U.S. consulates in Mexico and Canada will not permit you to apply for a visa.Rather you may need to apply for a new visa in your home country.

Secondary Inspection and Form I-515A

When you are re-entering the U.S., you may be directed to a secondary inspection site at the U.S. port of entry if the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) office cannot verify your information or if you are missing required document at the primary inspection site. It will be at the sole discretion of the CBP officer whether your current non-immigrant documents are sufficient for U.S. admission.

The CBP officer will attempt to verify your non-immigrant status using SEVIS and other databases. We encourage you to keep the contact information of your OISS student or scholar advisor, as well as a contact person in your UCSB department, on hand.

If you are allowed entry, you may be issued a  Form I-515A . This process admits you ONLY for a period of 30 days (see I-94 admission record), within which time you must complete the instructions for the form I-515A by reporting to OISS. We will issue a replacement document for I-515A purposes. The I-515A must be sent to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for review and approval in order for you to be granted the full permission of stay, as reflected on your nonimmigrant documents (i.e., I-20 or DS-2019). For more information on the Form I-515A, please visit  http://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/515a .

I-94 Admission Record

Following your return to the U.S., you should print your new I-94 admission record from  http://cbp.gov/i94 . Please review your I-94 to make sure you were admitted in the correct non-immigrant visa status and granted the full period of stay (see “Admit Until Date”). 

If you plan to travel outside the United States after your program completion date, you  cannot  re-enter on your student visa (F-1 or J-1). If you would like to re-enter the United States after your program completion date, you will need to apply for a  visitor visa .

Be sure to plan ahead when making international travel and re-entry arrangements after you finish your program of study.  If you plan on re-entering the U.S. after short-term travel abroad following the completion of your program, DO NOT book tickets until you have :

• Checked the last day of your program of study or employment
• Spoken to an international student/scholar advisor about your plans
• Verified that you have the correct visa to re-enter the United States

What is Travel Validation?

Your Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20 or Form DS-2019, depending on your visa status) shows that you are in eligible to enter the U.S. as part of a UCSB program. U.S. Immigration officials will ask for your I-20 or DS-2019 whenever you enter the U.S. So, if you travel out of the country for a vacation or a conference, you will be required to show your 1-20 or DS-2019 as you re-enter the U.S.. The good news is that you do not need to get a new document each time you enter the U.S .  However, you must have your existing document validated by OISS.  Once your document is validated, the validation is good for 1 year (for  currently enrolled  F-1 students and all J-1 students) or 6 months (F-1 on OPT).

How Travel Validation Works

Students 

Submit a travel signature request via UCSBGlobal  at least 5 business days before traveling. When your request is approved you will receive an email confirmation with further instructions. 

Submit a travel validation request via UCSBGlobal  at least 10 business days before traveling. When your request is approved, you will receive an email with further instructions. 

Expired Visa?

If your F-1 or J-1 visa stamp has expired, you will need to obtain a new visa to reenter the US. You can apply for a visa stamp at an American Embassy/Consulate when you are abroad. A U.S. visa stamp cannot be obtained inside the U.S. To apply for a visa stamp you will need to present:

• Valid Passport
• Valid I-20 or DS-2019, with current signature on the back
• Documentation of sufficient financial support for at least one year
• Copy of current transcripts—an unofficial copy is sufficient and can be requested from the UCSB Registrar's office via GOLD or you can print your unofficial transcript from GOLD on your own computer.
• Graduate Students: Letter from academic department regarding your status or progress in the program.

The visa renewal process will be the same procedure that you followed the first time you applied for the visa. Each time you apply for a visa you must prove to the consular officer you have enough funds to continue studying, you have been a full time student, and that you plan to return to your home country after completion of your degree.

Please note that it may be difficult to obtain a visa from a consular post that is not in your home country. The application procedures and processing time for a visa may vary depending on the US Embassy/Consulate you visit. Many consular posts are taking several weeks to process visa applications, so you will need to make sure that you will have enough time in your travel plans to obtain the visa. You may want to contact the US Embassy/Consulate you intend to visit to inquire about their procedures. Then you can make your plans accordingly. Information on US Embassies and Consulates can be found at the  State Department website .

If you are not sure your documents are current or have questions about traveling and reentering the US please make an appointment at OISS well in advance of when you plan to leave.

• Faculty & Staff

Travel Signatures

On This Page:

What is a Travel Signature?

Travel signature eligibility, how to get a travel signature, emergency travel.

• An advisor issues you a signature on your I-20 or DS-2019 after you enter the U.S. to begin your F-1 or J-1 status.
• The travel signature is on page two of an I-20 or page one of a DS-2019.
• The signature confirms that you have valid F-1 or J-1 status.
• You must have a valid travel signature on your I-20 or DS-2019 to return to the U.S. after you travel abroad.
• Each signature is valid for one year . (F-1 students on OPT: the travel signature is valid for six months).
• The travel signature is required for returning to the U.S. It is not required for leaving the U.S.
• If your current travel signature will expire before you will return to the U.S., you must request an updated travel signature.
• Have a valid I-20 or DS-2019 issued by UW Seattle
• Meet immigration requirements of maintaining a full course of study
• Be in good academic standing
• Have a current U.S. address and a permanent non-U.S. address active in MyUW
• New Students: Have completed the required immigration check-in

Students may request Electronic Travel Signatures through MyISSS. ISS will send a confirmation email notifying you that your travel signature has been processed.

Log into MyISSS

If you have an emergency travel need when the ISS is closed (weekends and federal holidays), go ahead and depart the U.S.

The travel signature is required to return  to the U.S. It is not required to depart the U.S.

What if I do not have enough time to receive a new I-20 or DS-2019 with a valid travel signature before returning to the U.S.?

Planning ahead is always key. If you did not receive a travel signature on your I-20 or DS-2019 before traveling, please  request Form I-515A at the immigration port of entry . It is most likely the Customs and Border Protection officer at the U.S. Port of Entry will issue you an I-515 form. This form would allow you temporary admission to the U.S. for 30 days. If admitted to the U.S. with Form I-515A, If you have questions or concerns, submit them through the Contact ISS form immediately after you return to Seattle. We will send you an appointment booking link.

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• Check in for I-20/DS-2019 Activation

CHECK-IN FOR I-20/DS-2019 ACTIVATION

In order for international students to comply with Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) regulations, ISPO requires students who hold an Initial SEVIS record to submit the Check-In for I-20/DS-2019 Activation Form once they arrive to the United States. This ensures that we collect the information needed to activate your SEVIS record. 

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT: 10 DAYS AFTER ARRIVAL TO THE U.S.

Step 1: confirm if you need to submit this form, why is ispo asking you to submit this form .

To comply with federally mandated SEVP guidance, ISPO requires students who hold an Initial SEVIS record to submit the  Check-In for I-20/DS-2019 Activation Form  once they arrive to the United States.  Activation of the SEVIS record allows students to remain in the U.S. and continue to maintain F or J status. 

Who is required to submit this form?

If you meet all of the following, you are required to submit this form: 

• Initial Attendance
• Transfer Pending
• Change of Educational Level
• Begin New Program
• Transferred
• Program Start Date : Your program start date listed on the first page of your I-20/DS-2019 is in the future or is within the first 2 weeks of the quarter of entry. 
• Location:  You are physically located inside  of the U.S. If you have not yet entered, wait to submit this form until after you enter the U.S. 
• Arrival Record: You are able to show proof of last entry into the U.S. by uploading an electronic Form I-94 .

STEP 2: SUBMIT YOUR FORM IN iPORTAL

The deadline to submit this form is no later than  10 days after your arrival to the U.S.  Ensure that you've logged into Tritonlink and have updated your current address (U.S. address), your Permanent Address (foreign/home country address), and also your emergency contact information. 

• Log in to iportal.ucsd.edu .
• Go to " Services " tab.
• Select the " Check-In for I-20/DS-2019 Activation " form.
• Fill out your request.
• If asked, upload a PDF copy of your Electronic Form I-94 .
• " Submit " your request.

Note that students who submit this request will not  receive an updated I-20 or DS-2019 reflecting action taken on their SEVIS record. However, upon successful submission of this request, ISPO will activate your SEVIS record . An advisor will contact you directly if more information is needed to complete your request.

STEP 3: LEARN WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU CHANGE YOUR MIND ABOUT STUDYING IN THE U.S.

These days are unpredictable, and we understand that your plans may change. If you experience a change in plans, here's some information: 

What if I depart the U.S. after submission of the Check-In for I-20/DS-2019 Activation? 

If at any time after submission of this form, you depart the U.S., log into Tritonlink and update your current address to a foreign/home country address to let us know you’ve departed. Review the Registrar's Office instructions on how to enter a foreign address in TritonLink .

What if I am unable to arrive to the U.S. by the quarter start date listed on my I-20/DS-2019?

If you are unable to arrive to the U.S. by the deadline to add coursework for the quarter start date listed on your document,  do not submit the Check-In for I-20/DS-2019 Activation . Instead, log into iPortal and submit the " NEW ADMIT: I-20/DS-2019 Amendment/Reprint Request " so ISPO can adjust your program start date to the quarter you intend to enter the U.S.

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