International Student Services

If you plan to travel outside the U.S. and return in F-1 status, you must have the following documents upon re-entry:

• Valid F-1 visa. Visit the F-1 Visa page for more information.
• Valid passport with an expiration date that is at least six months beyond the date you want to re-enter the U.S.
• I-20 endorsed by an ISS Office international student advisor. Allow one business day for processing. This is also required for students participating in OPT and CPT.
• For students on OPT, the OPT EAD and proof of employment is also required. 

Application Process for I-20 Travel Endorsement

• Complete a travel endorsement form and submit it to the ISS Office with your most recent I-20.
• You will be sent an email when the I-20 is ready for pickup, within one business day of submission.
• If your current I-20 does not reflect your current major, or if you wish to update the financial or dependents portions, you will need to submit a request for a new I-20. Such requests require additional documents and require a processing time of five business days. 

Automatic Visa Revalidation
If you plan to travel to either Canada or Mexico for less than 30 days and will not apply for a visa renewal, you are eligible for Automatic Visa Revalidation.

Travel Greater than Five Months
If you plan to travel outside the U.S. for a period greater than five months you must re-enter on an initial attendance I-20 and must obtain a new visa, even if your current visa is unexpired. This also affects your eligibility for employment benefits. Contact an International Student Adviser for more information.

Study Abroad and Conference Travel
UT Dallas has an official protocol regarding school-related international travel. The Office of International Education (OIE) administers that information. You will speak with an OIE advisor who will provide a list of required documents and procedures. The minimum amount of notice to OIE before travel is three weeks.