Travel Information

F-1 Students

• Valid Form I-20 with a valid travel signature on page 2. The signature is valid for a year from the issuance. For students on post-completion OPT, however, it is valid for 6 months from the issuance. If the signature is missing or expired, submit the Travel Signature Request on iPenn.

• Valid passport (for more than six months from date of intended return).

• Valid F-1 US Entry Visa.

• SEVIS Fee Payment Receipt.

• If on post-completion OPT, valid EAD card and either job offer letter or recent pay stub from the employer (strongly recommended).

• Transcripts (strongly recommended)

• Proof of funds as listed on form I-20 (strongly recommended)

F-2 Dependents

• Valid Form I-20 with a valid travel signature on page 2.

• Valid passport (for more than six months from date of intended return).

• Valid F-2 US Entry Visa

• If traveling alone, copies of the F-1 student’s immigration documentation, including I-94. If the F-1 student is on post-completion OPT, also carry copies of the F-1 student’s OPT I-20, EAD card, and job offer letter or recent pay stub from the employer.

NOTE: Citizens of Canada are exempt from the US Entry Visa requirement. However, Canadian F-1 and J-1 students and scholars must present the SEVIS fee payment confirmation (that can be printed from the fee website) for their initial entries to the U.S.

J-1 Exchange Visitors

• Valid Form DS-2019 with a valid travel signature. If the signature is missing or expired, submit the travel signature request on iPenn.
• Valid passport (for more than six months from date of intended return)
• Valid J-1 US Entry Visa
• Proof of initial SEVIS Fee Payment
• Letter from supervisor verifying continued employment/sponsorship if J-1 Professor/Research Scholar or Short Term Scholar

J-2 Dependents

• Valid Form DS-2019 with a valid travel signature.
• Valid passport (for more than six months from date of intended return)
• Valid J-2 US Entry Visa
• If traveling alone, copies of the J-1 student or scholar’s immigration documentation, including I-94

NOTE: Citizens of Canada are exempt from the US Entry Visa requirement. However, Canadian F-1 and J-1 students and scholars must present the SEVIS fee payment receipt for their initial entries to the U.S.

J-1 Professors/Research Scholars: scroll down to the section below under "Travel Difficulties and Resources" for information on the Notice of Absence form. 

H-1B or O-1 Employees

• Valid passport (for more than six months from date of intended return)

• Valid H-1B or O-1 visa stamp

• Original valid Form I-797 H-1B or O-1 Notice of Approval

• 2-3 most recent pay stubs or letter from supervisor confirming continued employment

• Copy of I-129 petition

NB: Scholars for whom the University is filing a petition for H-1B extension or those changing from one H-1B employer to another should contact an ISSS advisor regarding their travel options.

H-4 or O-3 Dependents

• Valid passport (for more than six months from date of intended return)

• Valid H-4 or O-3 visa stamp

• Copy of primary's Form I-797 H-1B or O-1 Notice of Approval

• Original Form I-797 H-4 or O-3 Notice of Approval if changed to or extended H-4 or O-3 status in the United State

E-3 Employees

• Valid Australian passport (for more than 6 months from date of intended return)

• Valid E-3 visa stamp

• 2-3 most recent pay stubs or letter from supervisor confirming continued employment

• Copy of valid LCA

• Original valid Form I-797 E-3 Notice of Approval if changed to or extended E-3 status in the United States

• Copy of I-129 petition if changed to or extended E-3 status in the United States

E-3D Dependents

• Valid passport (for more than six months from date of intended return)

• Valid E-3D visa stamp

• Copy of primary's Form I-797 E-3 Notice of Approval if changed to or extended E-3 status in the United States

• Original valid Form I-797 E-3D Notice of Approval if changed to or extended E-3D status in the United States

TN Employees

• Valid Canadian or Mexican passport (for more than 6 months from date of intended return)
• Valid TN visa stamp if Mexican national
• Job offer letter specifying the Trade NAFTA profession and duration of employment
• Requisite educational or occupational credentials such as diploma, license, etc.

TD Dependents

• Valid passport (for more than 6 months from date of intended return)
• Valid TD visa stamp if non-Canadian dependent
• Marriage or birth certificate showing relationship to TN primary
• Copy of spouse/ parent's job offer letter specifying the Trade NAFTA profession and duration of employment
• If traveling alone, copies of the primary's (TN) immigration documentation, including I-94