International Student Services

• Immigration Advising

• F-1 Employment
• School Transfer In/Out
• Change of Major/Degree
• I-20 Extension
• Travel Abroad
• Dependent Information
• Reinstatement
• Change of Status

J-1 Students

• J-1 Employment
• J-1 Transfer In/Out
• Change of Program
• DS-2019 Extension
• Travel Abroad
• Dependent Information
• Reinstatement
• Change of Status

F-1 | Travel Abroad

General Information

When traveling outside the United States, you need to have in your possession the proper documents to return to KU to resume studies. These documents are:

• SEVIS I-20 signed by an ISSS advisor (on page 3) for travel
• A current passport valid for at least six months after the date of your reentry
• Current, valid F-1 visa

Also, upon departure from the United States, you will need to turn in your current I-94 card (unless you are traveling to Canada, Mexico, or the Carribbean and automatic revalidation of visa applies.

Travel Signatures

Bring your SEVIS I-20 to the ISSS Office in Room 2 Strong Hall to obtain a travel signature. Please plan to leave your document with ISSS for two business days. For example, I-20s left on Friday will be ready the following Tuesday.

Expired Passport

If your passport is expiring you will need to contact your home country government to renew it. Look online for your country's embassy or consulate for renewal directions.

Expired Visa

If you need to apply for a new U.S. visa, you may only do so from outside of the U.S. Please visit the website of the particular U.S. consulate post where you intend to apply for the visa for specific requirements of that post.

Hacking Incident Spring 2003

If you were at KU in spring 2003, it is recommended that you obtain a permanent ISSS travel letter to help verify your identity when reentering the U.S. A travel letter request form is available in the ISSS office. Please allow one week for processing. If you are uncertain whether or not this situation applies to you, ISSS front desk staff can assist you in making this determination.

Automatic Extension of Visa Validity

Students and dependents in F status may, under certain conditions, re-enter the United States with an expired visa after traveling solely to the contiguous territories of Mexico, Canada, or an adjacent island if the travel is for 30 days or less.

More on Automatic Revalidation