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Traveling Outside the United States

Under most conditions, international students are permitted to travel outside the United States with an easy re-entry.

Request a Travel Signature on your I-20 or DS-2019

If you are planning to briefly travel outside of the U.S. during your time at UCA, you must first obtain a travel signature on your I-20 or DS-2019 from a Designated School Official (DSO).  Travel signatures are valid for 1 year and must be valid on the date of your planned return to UCA. For example, if your travel signature is dated 3/16/2026, it is valid until 3/16/2027 and you do not need any additional signatures during that time.

 Please complete the steps below to request a travel signature on your I-20 or DS-2019. 
  1. Properly register for the upcoming semester.
    • Travel signature requests will not be processed until a student has been registered in the required number of credit hours to maintain their immigration status for the semester they are returning to UCA.
  2. Complete the Request for Travel Signature form.
    • No travel signature requests will be completed until this form has been submitted to the Center for Global Learning & Engagement (CGLE).
  3. Bring the following required documents to the CGLE:
    • Your printed I-20 or DS-2019 to submit for a travel signature.
    • Your current passport and visa for CGLE staff to copy and include with your I-20 or DS-2019 for a DSO to review.
    • No partial submissions will be accepted and students must submit all the above required documents together.
  4. Pick-up your I-20 once emailed by CGLE staff that your travel signature request is complete.
    • Please expect a 3 business days processing time for all travel signature requests.
    • Remember to bring your student id with you so we can confirm your identity and release your documents to you.

Check the travel warnings and be safe!

Some countries where you may wish to travel may not currently be safe for you. Use the United State’s State Department website to for travel alerts and warning and safety tips. Also keep in mind that travel warnings for Americans might be different for travel warnings for citizens from your home country. So check with your embassy or travel sites other travel sites to find all the current countries under travel advisory.

Even for countries that are not under any travel advisory, be sure to make safe decisions when making travel plans. Stay in groups of 2 or more. Always be aware of your surroundings. Tell someone where you are going and when they should expect your return. Talk to the UCA Police Department for an upcoming self-defense class!

Center for Disease Control

Info on diseases, water, and food conditions in specific regions. Also tips for avoiding traveler’s sickness.

www.cdc.gov/travel/

Information for Travelers who are Women

Safety Tips for Women Travelers
Contact Overseas Citizens Services:
1-888-407-4747 (toll free in the United States and Canada)
1-202-501-4444 (outside the United States and Canada)

Information for LGBTI Travelers 

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/go/lgbt.html

Obtain the proper visa for the country to which you are traveling

If you are traveling into another country, you may be required to obtain a visa for that country. Canada is a frequent travel destination for international students. Many students on F-1 or J-1 visas do not need a visa to enter Canada, but some countries do. Just be safe and find out all the visa details before your trip.

Check to see if your U.S. visa is still valid

While you are in the United States, your visa can expire without causing you any immigration trouble. However, once you leave the country, you cannot return without an active visa. You cannot renew your visa in the United States. In most instances, you must return to your home country to renew your visa.

Make sure your passport is not expired

While you are an international student in the United States, your passport must never become expired. This is especially important as you travel within and outside of the U.S.

Extended absence from the United States

If a student plans to withdraw from class and leave the U.S. for an extended length of time, they must see the Designated School Official (DSO) in the Center for Global Learning and Engagement before making travel arrangements, withdrawing, registering or not registering for classes. Depending on the amount of time the student will be gone, the procedure for exiting and reentering the country will vary. More information about Leave of Absence will be posted. (Absence from the U.S.)