Traveling Outside the U.S.
If you will be traveling outside of the United States, you must request a travel signature from your international advisor and carry the following documents with you when you travel.
Required Documents
- Passport: valid for at least six months into the future at all times (especially important upon initial entry or re-entry to the U.S.)
- U.S. Entry Visa: valid on the date of your return to the U.S.
- I-20: valid and currently active with travel signature
- Valid visa for your visit country: If you are not returning to your home country, you may need a visa to travel to or even through (transit visa) other countries. Check the foreign embassy/consulate website for every country on your itinerary.
- Contact information in the case of a travel emergency for a border officer to contact an international advisor: (618) 650-3785 during office hours, SIUE police (618) 650-3324 outside of office hours
Before departing the country, make sure you have a valid travel signature (within 6 months) from an international advisor on page 2 of your I-20. Plan a couple of weeks in advance of travel to obtain the signature. Please drop off your I-20 at the Office of International Affairs to request a travel signature.
