F-1 Re-Entry Procedures

Re-Entry for F-Non-Immigrant Students Outside the USA for Five Months or Fewer

Students are responsible for maintaining their immigration status and for exiting and entering the USA correctly and assume all risk. There is always a risk for re-entry denial; officers at Ports of Entry have wide discretion to deny entry.  

Please see the ICE SEVP F-1 Student Travel website:  Re-entry for F-1 Non-immigrants Travelling Outside the United States for Five Months or Fewer.

Re-entering the USA:  A student in F-1 immigration status should have the following documents to re-enter the USA:

• A SEVIS Form I-20, endorsed with signature for travel within the past year (every 6 months when on post-completion OPT). Please note that although it is now permissable to transmit signed I-20's electronically, you must have a current, properly endorsed, and printed-out I-20 document to enter the USA. 
• A current passport valid for at least six months after the date of your re-entry.
• An F visa—current and valid.  Sticker in passport. If you are traveling to Canada, Mexico or other contiguous or adjacent countries for less than a 30-day period, then you MAY be able to re-enter on an expired visa—please if  if you have questions well before your planned travel date.  (Canadian citizens do not need a visa; they get their visa status at the port-of-entry.)
• Your most recent I-94 Record--always print out your I-94 record after entering the USA. 
• Customs Declaration. Please be aware of the requirements about bringing goods and  the importation of cash and other monetary instruments into the USA -- US Customs and Border Protection
• Additionally, you should carry with you and be prepared to present the following if asked:
  • (1) Your SEVIS fee receipt (Form I-901).
  • (2) Updated financial information showing proof of necessary funds to cover tuition and living expenses. Thus, please make sure that you have a copy of your scholarship letter and the most recent updated Declaration and Certification of Finances form with bank statement(s).
  • (3) Proof of enrollment. Screen shots of your course registration for the next semester and of your current transcript should do.  
  • (4) Employment Authorization Card, if you have been issued one.
  • (5) If on OPT, job offer letter or other proof of employment.
• Please note that when you cross a border to enter the USA your person, all of your baggage and all electronic equipment is subject to search. You may be asked to log-in to personal accounts and social media.  See Know your Rights.

Secondary Inspection Requirements

If the inspector cannot automatically verify your information or you do not have all of the required documentation, you may be escorted to an interview area know as "secondary inspection." Secondary inspection allows inspectors to conduct additional research in order to verify information. Verifications are done apart from the primary inspection lines so that an individual case will not cause delays for other arriving passengers.

It is recommended that you have readily available the name and phone number of the international student advisor at your school…in case your admission/participation needs to be verified. In the event you arrive during non-business hours (evenings, weekends, holidays), you should have a phone number where this individual can be reached during non-business hours. (OWU cell +1-614-579-5398.)

Failure to provide proper documentation and to comply with entry/exit procedures is cause to refuse the student or exchange visitor admission into the United States.

In limited circumstances, if a student or exchange visitor is mostly, but not fully in compliance, he/she may be issued a Form I-515A, Notice to Student or Exchange Visitor. This form authorizes temporary admission for 30 days into the United States and requires the student or exchange visitor to take immediate action to submit proper documentation. Noncompliance with the directions contained on these forms can result in future adverse action.

Continuing Students

Continuing students who are going to travel outside of the United States must see their international student advisor and obtain an endorsement from the DSO. The endorsement will be made on page 2 of the SEVIS Form I-20. When returning to the United States, a continuing student/exchange visitor must present a valid SEVIS Form I-20 with the DSO signature showing that the student is active and in good standing with the school or program.