Tis the Season, that is the “Travel Season”
The travel season has arrived! The next several months are full of holidays that are celebrated across the globe and not to mention that some people just want to get away and enjoy a beautiful remote beach. As we keep this in mind, the OIS wants to remind all international visitors that they should carefully review their immigration documents to make sure that everything is in order prior to departing the United States.
See the specific travel information below as it relates to your immigration status. If you should have a dependent of your visa, then be sure to review their documents too.
Those international visitors that need a travel signature, make sure to drop off your I-20 or DS-2019 (including any dependents) to the OIS. Any F-1 student on approved post completion optional practical training (OPT) or STEM OPT, should reach out the OIS prior to travel. Travel signatures can take 1-2 business days and will not be provided on the spot as the advisor must review your file and documentation. Our residents and fellows that are sponsored by ECFMG will not be dropping off their DS-2019s as the OIS unable to provide a travel signature. Those signatures can only be issued by the designated ECFMG representative. Please refer to the above J-1 ECFMG link for more details.
Once you return, make sure to provide the OIS with your most recent I-94 arrival record copy and visa (only if one was issued) by emailing them to international@uthscsa.edu. In addition, if you have a dependent, make sure that copies of their immigration documents to the OIS.
Other special reminders include:
- Land border crossings (Canada or Mexico) – A special note for those that will be crossing the borders (Canada or Mexico) by land, make sure that you present your immigration documents to the officer, especially for those that hold a B1/B2 visa in their passport. We have seen cases where the Customs and Border Protection officer enters the international visitor in B1/B2 status and not the appropriate status that relates to the objectives/activities that you will be involved in.
- Are you visiting a country that is not your home country? If yes, then make sure that you don’t need a visa!
For those that will be staying put in the United States but may take a little adventure, the OIS providing a friendly reminder you and your dependents (if applicable) must carry your immigration documents on person.
Safe travels!