Travel & Re-Entry to the U.S.
Start here to learn how to travel outside of the U.S. while studying as an international student, and how to return legally without compromising your immigration status.
Featured Resources
Your first U.S. entry as a student has two parts: preparing the right documents, and clearing Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Port of Entry. Here's what to know.
You can travel abroad during your studies and return in F-1 or J-1 status if your documents are in order. Learn what to check before you go in this overview on travel outside the United States, and re-entry.
FAQs
Helpful Guides
Keeping J-1 status means meeting reporting obligations to your sponsor and handling program changes the right way. Learn about the landscape for scholars in this overview for maintaining J-1 Status and program changes.
Three separate J-1 rules are often confused: the 212(e) two-year home-country residency requirement, the 24-month bar, and the 12-month bar. This guide explains each and how they differ.
When your program ends normally, you get a short grace period in the U.S. to wrap up and prepare to leave. Learn more about how it works in this overview of grace periods and departures for international students.
Your first U.S. entry as a student has two parts: preparing the right documents, and clearing Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Port of Entry. Here's what to know.
You can travel abroad during your studies and return in F-1 or J-1 status if your documents are in order. Learn what to check before you go in this overview on travel outside the United States, and re-entry.
You can academically transfer to a new SEVP-certified school, but you must also transfer your SEVIS record in order to maintain your lawful status. You must meet all requirements and follow the steps.