Travel Endorsement (Travel Signatures)

Travel Advisory: UPDATE 4/3/25 - International travel may be high risk for all clients due to strict vetting and enforcement. BIO does not recommend international travel for personal or professional reasons, as U.S. immigration policy remains unpredictable and subject to rapid change. For updates, see theBIO Immigration Policy Changes FAQ,Immigration Policy Updates, and Know Your Rights pages.

If you have upcoming international travel plans, check your most recently-issued I-20 or DS-2019 for the date of your most recent travel endorsement, found in the "Travel Endorsement" section on page 2 on the I-20, or in the "Travel Validation" section on page 1 of the DS-2019.

The travel endorsement is valid for re-entry to U.S. for the period listed below:

Student Type
Travel Endorsement Validity Period
Enrolled F-1 and J-1 students
12 months, OR until the I-20/DS-2019 program end date, whichever is sooner.
F-1 students on OPT or STEM OPT
6 months, OR until the OPT/STEM OPT end date, whichever is sooner.
J-1 Academic Training students
12 months, OR until the DS-2019 program end date, whichever is sooner.

You do not need an updated travel endorsement on your I-20 or DS-2019 to leave the U.S.

You only need a valid travel endorement to re-enter into the U.S. after international travel or to apply for a new visa if your visa will expire before you need to re-enter the U.S.

If you need an updated travel signature, choose one of these options:

Replacement Document Request

Request a new I-20 or DS-2019 with a new travel endorsement to be sent to you via email. (Processing time: 5 business days)

Drop off / Pick Up

Drop off your most recent printed I-20 or DS-2019 at the BIO front desk. Your document with updated travel signature will be ready for you to pick up 5 business days later. (No appointment needed.)

EMERGENCY ONLY: Drop-In Advising

Bring your most recent printed I-20 or DS-2019 to Drop-in Student Advising and receive a same-day travel signature during your advising session. Only available for UNFORSEEN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS if you are entering the US in fewer than 5 business days. Outside of unforeseen emergency travel, you must use one of the other travel signature options (5 business day processing time). Note: Wait times for drop-in student advising can be one hour or more during peak times.

Related questions

What other documents do I need for travel?

Please see here for Travel and Re-entry into the US. If you are on OPT, please see Travel and Re-entry while on OPT. If you are on Academic Training, please see Travel and Re-entry while on Academic Training.

Make sure to check the expiration date on the F-1 or J-1 visa stamp in your passport before international travel so that you know whether you will need to renew your visa before you can re-enter the US.

The visa stamp in my passport is expiring! Do I need to leave the U.S. to renew my visa?

The visa is just an entry document. If you the visa stamp in the passport is expired/expiring but your I-20 or DS-2019 is still valid (has a program end date or OPT/STEM OPT end date in the future), it is ok to remain in the U.S. with an expired visa; there is no need for you to make a trip just to extend the visa. You only need to renew your visa if you leave the U.S. and need to re-enter the U.S.

Automatic Visa Revalidation for travel to Canada or Mexico with an expired visa

If you are traveling to Canada or Mexico but your visa has expired, you may qualify for Automatic Revalidation.