Re-entry for F-1 Non-immigrants Travelling Outside the United States.note

Source: /Volumes/X9 Pro/ObsNotes/YoudaoYunNotes/Re-entry for F-1 Non-immigrants Travelling Outside the United States.note.pdf Converted: 2025-12-10 12:17:11

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Re-entry for F-1 Non-immigrants Travelling Outside the United States

for Five Months or Fewer

This section of the FAQ applies to continuing F-1 students who travel outside the United States for

or less.

Students should consult their Designated School Official (DSO) prior to travelling. Your DSO

generally works in the International Student Office. You must have a current SEVIS Form I-20

endorsed for travel and your DSO needs to be able to verify that your SEVIS record is

accurate and up-to-date.

What are the basic requirements for an F-1 to re-enter the United States

after travelling abroad on pleasure or personal business?

If you are from a visa exempt country, you do not need a visa to reenter the United States from

the western hemisphere, but make sure that you present your I-20 to be admitted as an F-1

student and not a visitor.

Can I travel outside the United States if I have a Form I-485 adjustment

of status application pending?

No, not without advance permission. If you depart the United States with a pending Form I-485, you

have abandoned your application unless you receive permission in advance from USCIS to return to

the United States. We call this . Additionally, CBP may also consider you ineligible to

return to the United States as an F-1 student because your application to change status to that of a

permanent resident is evidence of intent to immigrate, which is inconsistent with nonimmigrant

student status.

Can I re-establish F-1 student status by obtaining a new initial Form I-20

and reentering the United States?

https://www.ice.gov/sevis/travel

fiv

e months

A Form I-20, endorsed for travel and signed by your DSO

You have been out of the United States for less than five months

A current passport valid for at least six months after the date of your reentry or, if you are from

, a passport that is current through the date of entry

on

e of the countries listed below

A valid, current visa or you travelled to for less than thirty

days

contiguous country or adjacent island

Financial information showing proof of necessary funds to cover tuition and living expenses

Advance Parole

Yes. However, you will be considered an initial student for SEVIS purposes. You will have to pay the

I-901 SEVIS fee again and you will lose any time that you have accrued toward qualification for

.

You must have the new Form I-20 showing that you are entering on a new SEVIS ID number.

You should be aware that the CBP inspecting officer will determine whether or not to admit you to the

United States with the new Form I-20. If you did not comply with the terms of your status during

a prior stay in the United States, the CBP officer may decide that you are not eligible to

reenter.

Can I renew my visa while outside the United States in a country other

than my home country?

Yes, but the Department of State recommends that you apply for a visa in your home country. For

more information about visa applications, visit the DoS website.

Before you travel to a country other than yours to renew your visa, contact the U.S. Embassy or

Consulate in that country.

If you exit the United States and apply for a visa, you cannot return to the United States until DoS

issues you a new visa. This could require a lengthy stay. If DoS denies your visa application, you will

not be able to return to the United States as a student.

This is called a “third country national (TCN)” application. Not all U.S. consulates accept TCN

applications, and some allow TCN applications for limited situations; check with individual consulates,

including those in Canada and Mexico, for TCN application policies. It can be risky to apply in a

country other than your home country. For instance, if you apply for a new visa in Canada and

encounter delays, you must remain in Canada for the length of the processing. You will not be able to

reenter the U.S. until the new visa is approved.

t

raining (OPT) or employment