Whether you want to return to your home country over summer break, explore Europe on spring break, or participate in a study abroad program, chances are good that at some point during your time at Indiana University you will want to travel outside the United States.
But before you pack your luggage, there are some steps you need to take to protect your status.
OIS cannot sign your I-20 for travel during your post-graduation grace period and you cannot re-enter in your F-1 status if you depart the United States.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) finalized changes to a new regulation affecting many F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors. Learn more about changes to Duration of Status
This new rule takes effect on September 15, 2026. While this does not change your ability to travel and seek re-entry to the U.S., it will result in changes to your I-94 and the process for the remainder of your study.
If you plan to apply for OPT, traveling outside the U.S. after September 15, 2026 will mean that your I-94 will have a fixed Admit Until Date (AUD). Additional steps may be required to file for OPT in that case. Students who do not travel outside the U.S after September 15, 2026 who timely file for OPT before March 18, 2027 may not be required to take additional steps.
As a reminder, travel is a personal decision and admission to the U.S. is always at the discretion of CBP officials. Find and carefully check your I-94 (and that of any F-2 dependents) each time you travel, and upload in Atlas.
Before you leave the country, make sure you have a valid travel signature from an OIS advisor on page 2 of your I-20. You will not be able to re-enter the United States without one.
To get a travel signature, make a request through Atlas at least two weeks before you plan to travel.
Travel signatures are valid for one calendar year, or until the completion of your program, whichever comes first.
Description of the video:
Hi, I am José Mendez from the the Office of International Services. Today, I will be talking about travel signatures, the signature on page two of a continued-attendance I-20 is required by the US government to request entry into the US in F1 status. If you arrive to the US to start your program at IU, your initial or transfer-pending I-20 will not have a travel signature on page two. While you are enrolled in your program of study, the travel signature is valid for one year from the date it is signed, or the date you complete your program of study, whichever date comes first.
You need a travel signature even if you are just traveling across the border into Canada or Mexico. Read more below.
If there have been any changes in your situation (for example, if you have changed your major, degree level, or source(s) of financial support) that are not indicated on your current I-20, you will need to get a new one.
For changes in major or source(s) of funding, request a travel signature through Atlas and note the changes in the “Notes” section.
For a change in degree level, you will need to complete the New Degree program request in Atlas. However, you do not need to request a travel signature. When your new degree program request is approved, a new I-20 will be printed and will be valid for travel.
Timing can be critical for all of these changes, so start the process early.
The following require your immediate attention:
Making these changes can be very complicated. Please call 812-855-9086 to make an appointment with an advisor to discuss your plans before you begin the process.
In most cases, updated financial documentation will be required to process your new I-20.
Check your completion date in section 5 of your I-20 to see whether it is about to expire. If it expires while you are outside the U.S., you will not be able to re-enter the U.S.
If your I-20 is about to expire and you have not yet completed your program, you will need to apply for an extension via Atlas. You do not need to request a travel signature. When your extension is approved, a new I-20 will be printed and signed for travel.
Updated financial documentation will be required to process your new I-20.
Is the F-1 U.S. visa stamp in your passport valid beyond the date you plan to re-enter the United States? If not, you must apply for a new visa while you are abroad. We strongly advise you to carry the following documents with you when applying for a new visa at a U.S. consulate:
If you need to apply for a new U.S. visa, visit the Department of State’s website for an updated list of visa application locations.
If you are traveling to a country other than your home country, you may need a visitor’s or transit visa. To find out, visit that country’s embassy website at Foreign Embassies of Washington, D.C., and search for the consular section nearest you.
If you are traveling to the European Union and your home country is not within the European Union, you may apply for the Schengen visa, which permits travel within E.U. countries.
For the latest travel advisories, visit the U.S. Department of State’s website.
