Resources for Life in the U.S.

Travel advisory

The Trump administration has signed a number of Executive Orders that may have an impact on international student and scholar travel.  Given this uncertainty, OISS advises continuing international students and scholars to carefully consider international travel. Please review our Immigration Updates and Travel Advisory page for the most updated information. 

Domestic Travel

International students and scholars traveling within the United States should always carry documentation of their legal status. Specifically, we suggest that F-1 and J-1 visa holders should carry their Lehigh ID, valid Pennsylvania driver’s license or state ID (if any), passport, I-94, I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1), and the EAD (if on OPT).  Current students may wish to carry proof of enrollment (unofficial transcript, copy of class schedule, etc).  Current scholars who are paid by Lehigh may wish to carry proof of employment (most recent pay stubs, etc), and unpaid scholars may wish to carry their appointment letter.

H-1B visa holders should carry with them their passport, I-94, I-797 Approval Notice, and proof of employment (most recent paystubs).

International Travel

It has always been necessary for foreign nationals to present documentation showing their eligibility for entry upon returning to the U.S. from international travel. We advise that F-1 and J-1 visa holders should carry their I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1) endorsed for travel by an advisor at OISS, passport valid for at least six months after the date of the re-entry, a valid F-1 or J-1 visa, and financial information showing proof of necessary funds to cover tuition and/or living expenses.  Enrolled students may wish to carry proof of enrollment (unofficial transcript, etc).  Students on OPT should carry their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and proof of employment.  J-1 students on Academic Training should carry proof of employment.

H-1B visa holders should carry with them their passport (with a valid H-1B visa), the original I-797 Approval Notice, their three most recent pay statements printed from Banner, as well as a complete copy of the H-1B petition (including the Certified Labor Conditions Application).

Each travel signature on your I-20 or DS-2019 is valid for one year for enrolled students.  Travel signatures for F-1 students on OPT are valid for 6 months. If you need a new signature on your document, please request a Travel Signature through iHome (in the General Services section --> I-20/DS-2019 Reprint Request). Once signed, your updated I-20 or DS-2019 will be sent to you electronically. 

Based on SEVP Policy Guidance, OISS no longer provides wet ink signatures on I-20s - all travel signatures will be provided digitally with your updated I-20 sent to you via e-mail.  You must print all three pages of the I-20 once you receive it.

Based on updated Department of State regulations, OISS no longer provides wet ink signatures on DS-2019s - all DS-2019s will be digitally signed and send to you via e-mail. You  must print both pages of the DS-2019 once you receive it.

Note on Export Control

Export controls refers to a set of federal laws and regulations that limit the export of physical items, technology, data and information out of the U.S. for national security or economic reasons. Export control may apply when individuals travel outside the United States, depending on their destination, what they bring with them, and what they plan to do while abroad. Lehigh faculty, staff and students are responsible for engaging Lehigh's Office of Research Integrity as required when traveling on university business. Please review Lehigh’s export control policies and guidance, particularly the information for faculty and the information for international travelers, to ensure that you comply with all relevant export control laws and university policies.

Requesting a New U.S. Entry Visa

To request a new visa from a U.S. consulate or embassy you should have with you the following items:

• I-20 or DS-2019 signed by OISS within the past 12 months
• Official Lehigh transcript and/or registration record for the next term
• Original financial guarantee (department letter, personal support, government letter) showing your ability to cover the cost of your schooling
• A passport valid for at least six months after the date of re-entry
• Completed and signed Form DS-160.
• A receipt for visa processing fee. A receipt showing payment of the visa application fee for each applicant, including each child listed in a parent’s passport who is also applying for a U.S. visa, is needed.
• Proof you will be returning to your home country after your stay is completed in the U.S.

Automatic Visa Revalidation

Under the Automatic Visa Revalidation provision, F-1/J-1 visa holders and their dependents who travel for less than 30 days to Canada, Mexico or adjacent islands in the Caribbean other than Cuba can re-enter the US with an expired visa.  Details about this can be found on the Customs & Border Protection (CBP) website. You can find a list of the adjacent islands on the Department of State website.

To re-enter the US under automatic visa revalidation, students and scholars should carry with them the following documentation:

• A passport (with the expired visa) valid for at least six months beyond the date of re-entry
• An unexpired I-94 (printed copy of your most recent I-94)
• F-1: A valid form I-20 with a valid travel signature on the second page by OISS
• F-1 on OPT: A valid EAD with a job offer letter
• J-1: A valid form DS-2019 with a valid travel signature by OISS
• H-1: Original H-1B approval notice (I-797), letter from employer verifying employment, and a copy of the H-1B petition
• We recommend that you print a copy of the relevant regulation and carry it with you.

Please note that automatic visa revalidation is currently not available for nationals from countries identified by the United States as state sponsors of terrorism. Also, if you apply for a new visa while in Canada, Mexico or Adjacent Islands, you will not be eligible for the automatic visa revalidation and will need to wait until the new visa is granted to return to the U.S. 

Depending on your country of citizenship, you may need to apply for a visa to enter Canada, Mexico and Adjacent Islands. Check with the embassy of the country you wish to visit to find out if you need a visa. 

Form I-515A

At a U.S. port of entry, if you are missing any required documentation (such as your I-20 or DS-2019) or you do not have the proper travel signature on your I-20 or DS-2019 from OISS prior to leaving the U.S., you may be denied entry into the U.S. As an alternative, the immigration officer has the discretion to issue you a Form I-515A, which allows you to have temporary admission into the U.S. for 30 days. If you are given such form, you must bring it to OISS as soon as you arrive on campus so that we can help you submit the necessary paperwork to SEVP I-515A processing team in Washington, DC.