Travel | International Student and Scholar Services

Travel Signatures

When traveling outside of the U.S., students in F-1 and J-1 statuses should verify they have a travel signature from ISSS on their most recent Form I-20 or DS-2019. The signature will be on page 2 of the Form I-20 or page 1 of the Form DS-2019.

A travel signature is valid for 12 months or until the program end date, whichever is sooner.

Students who need to request a new travel signature should submit a request as follows:

Log in to the ISSS Portal using Onyen and password
Select General Student Services from the menu on the left-hand side
Select Travel Signature Request for Students under Tasks and follow form instructions

Students requesting a travel signature will receive a new Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 via email. The document will be emailed to your UNC email account as a PDF file, and you will need to print and sign the form to present when re-entering the U.S.

Travel Documents

The following documents are required for re-entry to the U.S.:

Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 signed for travel by ISSS within 12 months (unless on a period of Optional Practical Training/OPT, then the signature must be valid within 6 months).
Valid F-1 or J-1 visa stamp (Canadian and Bermudian citizens do not require a visa stamp)
Passport valid for at least six months into the future on the date of re-entry

ISSS recommends students travel with the following additional documents:

Financial support information to document the funding indicated on Form I-20 or DS-2019
Documentation verifying full-time enrollment (printed copy of current or upcoming class schedule, enrollment certification, transcript, or letter from academic department)
Students on OPT, should carry their EAD card and employment verification letter.

Form I-94

The Form I-94 is issued at the port of entry to nonimmigrants by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials to record arrivals and departures from the U.S.

Students should retrieve their Form I-94 through the CBP website immediately upon arrival in to the U.S.

Students can retrieve their most recent Form I-94 by clicking “Get Most Recent I-94″ and entering their information. Students should ensure that their “Class of Admission” corresponds to their visa status – “F-1” or “J-1”, and their “Admit Until Date” is entered as D/S.

If students notice any errors, they should contact their ISSS advisor.

Every I-94 record should be saved electronically or printed and kept as part of the student’s immigration record.

Visa Renewal

Students who need to obtain a new F-1 or J-1 visa stamp must apply at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate outside of the U.S. Please check the U.S. Embassy’s website for more information before leaving the U.S.

On September 6, 2025 and effective immediately, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) has updated its instructions for all nonimmigrant visa applicants who are scheduling visa interview appointments:
- Applicants for U.S. nonimmigrant visas should schedule their visa interview appointments at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their country of nationality or residence.
- Nationals of countries where the U.S. government is not conducting routine nonimmigrant visa operations must apply at the designated embassy or consulate (see list here), unless their residence is elsewhere.

Students who obtain a new F-1 or J-1 visa stamp should submit the Update my Visa Information for students form in the ISSS Portal.

Automatic Revalidation

Students in F-1 or J-1 status and their dependents who are travelling to contiguous territories of Canada or Mexico or the adjacent islands of the Caribbean, except Cuba, may be eligible to travel and return to the U.S. with an expired visa stamp as long as they are within the guidelines listed on the U.S. Department of State’s Website.

Consult with the embassy or consulate for the country you plan to visit to determine whether a visa will be required for entry into that country.