What documents do I need to re-enter the U.S.?

If you are a new or current student and have been out of U.S. for less than 5 months, you will be asked to present the following documents to a Custom and Border Protection Officer at a Port of Entry:

  1. Passport valid for at least 6 months into the future: If your country has a special agreement with the U.S. allowing, your passport will be valid until the date of expiration. Find the list of these countries on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement page (see "What if I have an expired passport or one that will expire in less than six months?").
  2. Valid F-1 Student Visa: Check the expiration date and the number of allowed entries on your visa. Most visas have "M" (multiple) printed under entries. This means there is no limit on the number of entries for which you can use your visa. If your visa is expired or has already used the number of entries you are allowed, you will need to renew your F-1 student visa at the U.S. Consulate/Embassy office in your home country. If you are seeking entry to the U.S. after traveling back from a contiguous country (Canada, Mexico) or adjacent islands for less than 30 days, you may be permitted to re-enter with an expired F-1 visa. See the Automatic Visa Revalidation section for more details.
  3. SEVIS Form I-20 endorsed for travel by DSO: Your I-20 needs to be authorized for travel on the 2nd page by a Designated School Official (International Student Advisor). You must plan ahead to get your I-20 signed before leaving the US. Each signature authorizes travel for one year following the signature date. For students engaged in Post-Completion or STEM Extension OPT, the signature is valid for six months. If you need a new I-20 with a new travel signature, log in to the ISSS Portal and navigate to Student Requests and Documents section and click on "I-20 Update/ Travel Authorization". Int'l Student Advisor will issue you a new I-20 with a new travel signature and you can download your new I-20 from the documents section. 
  4. Evidence of Financial Resources (optional): A bank statement, a letter from your sponsor, or a scholarship award letter. The amount should cover one year of expenses that you are responsible for as indicated on the first page of your I-20.
  5. Evidence of Student Status (optional): Print out your class schedule and unofficial transcript by accessing MyUW.

You should also have phone numbers of the UW Tacoma available in case a CBP officer needs to contact UW Tacoma to verify your student status. In that case, please contact:

International Student and Scholar Services| 253-692-4498 (Kelsey) 253-692-4695 (Akane) | Mondays-Fridays, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. except university holidays

Campus Safety | 253-692-4416 | Open 24 hours, 365 Days

What to expect when seeking re-admission to the U.S. at an airport
  • Have the following documents available for presentation: a valid passport, a valid student visa, a valid SEVIS Form I-20/DS-2019 or DS, Customs Declaration Form CF-6059, and other recommended documents.
  • When you arrive you will proceed to the customs/inspection area. The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will ask you, "what is your purpose in coming to the U.S.?" Inform them that you are a new or returning student in the United States. Always answer their questions honestly and directly, but do not provide extra information or documents they do not ask for.
    • If a CBP officer asks you for your social media identifiers, you have the option of listing your usernames. Do not offer your passwords unless you are explicitly asked for them.
    • In extremely rare instances, a CBP officer may ask to see your phone, tablet, laptop, or other devices. If this happens, do not argue with him or her because the law currently does not protect travelers from having their belongings searched at borders. Know that anything that has been on your device is subject to search.
  • The CBP officer will process your I-20/DS-2019 form and return it to you, take a digital photo and your fingerprints.
    • If a CBP officer refers you to a secondary inspection, this is simply because they need more time to review your documents or a database. Remain calm and be prepared.
    • If a CBP officer gives you an “Order to Appear – Deferred Inspection,” this means that you are missing an important document. It is mandatory that you go to this appointment.
    • If you have issues that the CBP officer describes as “grounds of inadmissibility,” please contact a qualified immigration lawyer.
  • Proceed through the CBP checkpoint and show your Customs Declaration Form (CF-6059) to the CBP officer (your baggage may be examined).
Travel to a third country

When traveling to a third country (a country other than the U.S. or your home country), you are responsible for knowing whether or not you need an entry visa for that country. Below is brief information on visiting Canada and Mexico.

Visiting Canada:

  • Visit this Government of Canada's website to find out if you need a visa to travel to Canada  If you need a visitor visa to enter Canada, visit the Government of Canada's webpage regarding how to apply for a temporary resident visa. Here are some important reminders:
    • Applications and forms must be completed electronically or submitted in-person at a Visa Application Center.
    • Applications will be returned to you by USPS mail only, not by courier.
    • The application may take more than 30 business days. To check on application processing time, visit this page.
    • ISS recommends students to get a WA ID/ Driver's License first before applying for a Canadian visa. This is because, during the application process, students will not have access to passports for ID purposes. To learn more, please visit this page. 
    • Multiple entry temporary resident visa may be valid for up to 5 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. The fee is $150. The fee for a single entry temporary resident visa is $75. The single entry visa may also be used for repeated entries into Canada from the U.S. within the time allowed for your stay in Canada (normally 6 months).
    • Pay close attention to all the requirements, such as requirements for those with a U.S. mailing address (refer to the how to apply for temporary resident visa link).

Visiting Mexico

  • Tourist cards or visas may be required for travel to Mexico. For more details, contact the Consulate General of Mexico in Seattle located at 2807 E Roy St, Seattle, WA 98102, Phone (206) 448-3526 or Email conseattle@sre.gob.mx
Automatic visa revalidation

If you are returning from Canada, Mexico, or one of the adjacent islands (see "Which islands are defined as adjacent islands?") to the U.S. for fewer than 30 days, you may enter the U.S. with an expired F-1 visa. However, if you meet any of the following criteria, you will not be able to automatically re-validate your visa.

  • You applied for a new visa and it has not been issued.
  • You applied for a new visa and were denied.
  • You have a terminated SEVIS record indicating that you are out of status.
  • You have been outside of the U.S. for more than 30 days.
  • You are a citizen of Iran, Sudan, or Syria.

If you wish to travel using Automatic Visa Revalidation benefit, please make sure to travel with a printout of this webpage by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Travel within the U.S.

Federal law requires you to carry "registration" documents at all times, including your immigration documents. ISSS suggests that you keep your original immigration documents in a secure location, and carry copies of your immigration documents for day-to-day purposes. However, if you are traveling within/outside the U.S. you must carry your original immigration documents with you. Keep photocopies of all your documents in a separate location in the event your documents are lost or stolen.

Travel after completion of studies at UW Tacoma

If you have completed your program of study, you are allowed to remain in the U.S. for 60 days to travel within the U.S. and prepare for your departure. If you step outside of the U.S. after completion of your program of study, you are not allowed to re-enter the U.S.

Students who have graduated and applied for OPT:

While your application is pending, we advise students not to travel internationally. Once your application is approved and EAD card is issued, you must travel with the following documents: 

  • Passport valid for at least 6 months into the future: If your country has a special agreement with the U.S. allowing, your passport will be valid until the date of expiration. Find the list of these countries on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement page.  
  • Valid F-1 Student Visa: Check the expiration date and the number of allowed entries on your visa. Most visas have "M" (multiple) printed under entries. This means there is no limit on the number of entries for which you can use your visa. If your visa is expired or has already used the number of entries you are allowed, you will need to renew your F-1 student visa at the U.S. Consulate/Embassy office in your home country. If you are seeking entry to the U.S. after traveling back from a contiguous country (Canada, Mexico) or adjacent islands for less than 30 days, you may be permitted to re-enter with an expired F-1 visa. See the Automatic Visa Revalidation section for more details.
  • SEVIS Form I-20 endorsed for travel by DSO: Your I-20 needs to be authorized for travel on the 2nd page by a Designated School Official (International Student Advisor). For students engaged in Post-Completion or STEM Extension Optional Practical Training (OPT), the signature is valid for six months.  If you need a new I-20 with a new travel signature, log in to the ISSS Portal and navigate to Student Requests and Documents section and click on "I-20 Update/ Travel Authorization". Int'l Student Advisor will issue you a new I-20 with a new travel signature and you can download your new I-20 from the documents section. 
  • Evidence of Financial Resources (optional but strongly recommended): A bank statement, a letter from your sponsor, or a scholarship award letter. The amount should cover one year of expenses that you are responsible for as indicated on the first page of your I-20.
  • Valid EAD (Employment Authorization Document) Card   
  • An employment offer letter or letter of employment from your employer, internship, or volunteering site. 
Absence from the U.S.

Your current F-1 program will be terminated if you are outside of the U.S. for more than 5 months unless you have been authorized to study abroad. Consult with ISS if you plan to be out of the U.S. for more than 5 months.

Air transit in Canada

Starting March 15, 2016, visa-exempt foreign nationals who fly to or transit through Canada will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Exceptions include U.S. citizens and travelers with a valid visa. To learn more, visit the Government of Canada's webpage.