Travel
In order to travel outside of the US you need the following documents:
- I-20 Form (signed by ISSS advisor)
- Passport (valid at least 6 months into the future)
- I-94 Form
- A valid F-1 visa
- Unofficial Transcripts
In addition to the above documentation it is advisable to bring your evidence of financial support, such as a bank statement or scholarship letter.
Obtaining a Travel Signature
It is essential that you obtain a travel signature on your I-20 form from an ISSS advisor before traveling outside the US! Please be aware that it takes from 3 – 5 days to obtain a travel signature, so it is important for you to plan ahead. ISSS offers a ‘Travel Signature Day’ in Fall and Spring terms at which you may obtain a travel signature in one day.
Travel to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean
If you visit Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean for fewer than 30 days a valid F-1 visa is not required for most individuals, as long as you have a valid I-94. You should not surrender your I-94 card upon entry to these countries if you intend to visit for fewer than 30 days.
Canadian Students
Canadian students do not require a visa to enter the US. However, they are still considered international students and must have a valid I-20 when re-entering the US.
Special Registrants
If you are a Special Registrant, you will have NSEERS (National Security Entry and Exit Registration System) and a FIN (Fingerprint Identification Number) notations in your passport and on your I-94. Upon entry into the US you will be interviewed and given materials that you should read carefully. See ISSS for information on international travel while you are a student at PSU. As a Special Registrant, you are required to check out with the US Department of Homeland Security, a process which often involves an additional interview. Failure to check out properly can result in your being denied re-entry to the United States.
Special Registrants are often, but not always, young men from predominantly Muslim countries. See Special Registration for more information.
Individuals with special registrant requirements departing the United States through Portland International Airport may now fax this form to notify Customs & Border Protection of your departure.
Canadian and Mexican Embassies
The embassies nearest PSU for Canada and Mexico are: