Travel - Current Students

When traveling within the US, you should carry the following documents with you. If you are traveling by air, train, bus, or ship, you may be required to produce these documents before boarding. Keep photocopies of all your documents in a separate location, in the event your documents are lost or stolen. 

• Passport*: Ensure your passport is not expired
• Visa: If you are traveling within the US and don't cross any borders, it is okay for the visa in your passport to be expired. If you leave the US and need to re-enter, you need to have an unexpired visa. (Canadian citizens use the I-20 as their visa.)
• I-20 or DS-2019: You should carry the most recent copy of your immigration document that you have, with a current travel signature from an ISSS Advisor (no more than six months old), and your own signature and date on page 1 written in pen. Do not use electronic signatures on your immigration documents.
• Employment Authorization Document (EAD): If you have been authorized to work, you should carry your EAD with you.
• I-94 Record: This is an electronic record with proof of your latest lawful entry into the US. You can print an updated copy anytime from the US Customs and Border Protection website. 

*Real ID: You may have heard about the REAL ID requirement, which went into effect May 7, 2025. This is a new law specifically for air travel within the US that makes it necessary to have an ID that satisfies REAL ID requirements before anyone (including US citizens) can board a plane. 

What do you need to do?  Since international students should already be traveling with their original foreign passports or EAD cards, which both count as a REAL ID, there aren't any changes you need to make. You do not need to apply for any other special ID in order to travel in the US. However, you should be extra careful to ensure that your passport does not expire while you are studying here. You may also want to plan for longer lines in security at airports as everyone adjusts to this change in requirements. 

Leaving the U.S. During Your Studies:

Before departing the US, be sure you are informed about current US government policies and evaluate potential challenges you may encounter with re-entry to the United States. If you are traveling to a country where you aren't a citizen, contact an embassy or consulate of that country to be visited in the US to inquire about visa and travel procedures. You might also consider contacting the consulate of your home country in the destination country for any special considerations.  

Canada travel: Citizens of some countries will require visas to visit Canada. You can find out if you need a Canadian tourist visa here.

Documents to Carry: 

• Passport: Passport must be valid at least six months beyond your return date.
• Visa: To re-enter the US, you must present a valid, unexpired, visa (unless you are a Canadian citizen).
• I-20 or DS-2019: You should carry the most recent copy of your immigration document with a current travel signature from an ISSS Advisor (no more than six months old), and your own signature and date on page 1 written in pen. Do not use electronic signatures on your immigration documents.
• Class Schedule and/or Academic History (recommended): This will show proof of your continued enrollment at WWU.
• Employment Authorization Document (EAD): If you have been authorized to work, you should carry your EAD with you. *Students on OPT should not travel outside of the US unless they are currently employed and carry proof of employment.

Be Prepared for U.S. Customs and Border Screening:

At all border entries (land or air), US Customs & Border Protection (CBP) officers screen all travelers to determine whether they are “admissible” for entry to the US. Having all required documents above is essential, but it does not guarantee admission. Be prepared to answer CBP questions truthfully to avoid delays or denial of entry. 

• CBP officers may ask you questions about the purpose, length, destination, and activities you participated in during your travel outside the US.
• CBP officers could request to inspect your personal belongings and possibly search your electronic devices.
• CBP officers could also request access to your social media accounts or copy data from electronic devices.
• You could be asked about your classes, your major, when you plan to graduate, plans after graduation, or how you are paying for your university expenses.

If you encounter issues entering the U.S., you may be directed to secondary inspection. This is a routine process where immigration officials review your documents in more detail. Stay calm and ensure you have your passport, valid visa, I-20 or DS-2019, and any supporting documentation easily accessible. If you experience delays or further complications, request that the border official contact ISSS. They have our direct phone number and can contact us easily. 

Grace Period

Students who complete their program in good immigration status have a "grace period" during which they may stay within the United States but may not continue working or studying. The grace period for F-1 students is 60 days. (F-1 students on Optional Practical Training (OPT) must depart the US within 60 days of the EAD card's expiration date.) The grace period for J-1 students is 30 days. Students who leave the US during the grace period will not be permitted to return to the US using the same immigration documents. 

Continuing Studies

If you are continuing your studies in the US at a new degree level and/or new institution, you may travel outside the US after completion of studies and re-enter in J-1 or F-1 status if you have a new DS-2019 or I-20 indicating a new program of study, passport, visa, and evidence of financial support. 

Post-Study Work

If you will be working after the completion of your studies, you may travel outside the US after completion of studies and re-enter in J-1 or F-1 status if you have a DS-2019 endorsed for Academic Training and signed for travel within the last twelve months or if you have an I-20 endorsed for OPT and signed for travel within the last six months, proof of employment, passport, and visa. (See Travel and OPT below for more details.) 

If your post-completion OPT application is pending, you may travel and re-enter the US . You should carry your I-20 with a travel signature, valid passport, unexpired visa, and official OPT application receipt. It is not recommended to travel if you will need to renew your visa in order to re-enter.   

After graduation, if your post-completion OPT has been approved and your EAD issued, you may not re-enter the US unless you have evidence of employment. You should carry the following documents with you: 

• I-20 signed for travel by an ISSS staff member within the last 6 months
• EAD card
• Valid passport
• Unexpired F-1 Visa (unless returning from a short trip to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean)
• Evidence of employment in your field of study (i.e., letter of employment or written job offer)