Documents Required to Reenter the U.S. After Travel Abroad

If you will be departing the U.S. with intent to return, you will need to present to the government official upon reentry the following documents:

• Valid (un-expired) J-1 visa unless you hold a Canadian passport (A very limited exception exist for travel of less than 30 days to Canada, Mexico, or adjacent islands. See the Automatic Revalidation of Visas Fact Sheet from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for more information.)
• Valid DS-2019 form with travel validation signature from your international advisor signed within the year (or six months for Short-Term Scholars as indicated in Item 4 of the DS-2019 form) prior to your expected date of reentry
• Current passport valid for at least six months after the program end date indicated on your DS-2019 form (If you are from one of the countries listed here you only need a passport that is current through the program end date on your DS-2019 form.  If your passport is not valid for six months beyond your reentry and you are not from one of the countries that that is listed, you will need to renew your passport before reentering the U.S.)

If requested by the CBP official upon reentry, you should have the following documents with you to present:

• Printouts of last three pay statements from UT Health Science Center San Antonio if receiving salary or fellowship
• Valid financial documents that match the financial information listed on the DS-2019 form
• Enrollment Verification Letter* (To request Enrollment Verification Letter, log into My Student Center, click “Verify Student Enrollment”, and a letter will automatically generate. If you have technical issues, please contact the Registrar’s Office.)

*The Enrollment Verification Letter is only required for Exchange Visitors in the Student category. (See Item 4 on the DS-2019 form for the Exchange Visitor category.)