ETSU | Travel for Current Students

International Enrollment and Services

TRAVEL 

Travel requirements differ depending on your current situation: whether you are actively enrolled, on OPT, on STEM OPT, or in a Cap-Gap period. The information provided below also applies to your F-2 dependents.

General Travel (Actively Enrolled Students) 

  • Travel Documentation

    You may continue to travel in the same manner as before, with:

    • a valid Form I-20, signed on page 2 by your DSO (the signature must not be more than 12 months old at the time of reentry to the U.S.)
    • an unexpired passport
    • an unexpired F-1 visa in the passport (except for Canadian citizens). If your F-1 visa is expired at the time of your reentry to the U.S., you must apply for a new F-1 visa to reenter.

    When traveling, carry documents with you in carry-on luggage, NOT in your checked baggage! You need access to your immigration documents at all times during transit.   

    Note: If your Form I-94 currently shows "D/S," re-entering the U.S. on or after September 15, 2026 will result in a fixed Admit Until Date (AUD) being issued instead. See below for what to do after you return to the he U.S.. 

  • Additional Travel Information

    Be sure to print, sign, and carry the hard copy of the I-20 or DS-2019 when traveling. Keep all copies of previous documents and do not throw anything away. 

    Please note: If you arrive at a U.S. port of entry and do not have all your signed required documents, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer may deny your entry into the United States. As an alternative, the officer has discretion to issue you a Form I-515A. This document allows you to have temporary admission into the United States for 30 days. To maintain your nonimmigrant student status, you must address your Form I-515A within the time provided to you (within 30-days from the time the I-515A was issued to you). More information regarding the I-515A can be found here. 

  • After You Return to the United States 

    Once you re-enter the United States, please check your Form I-94  and note your Admit Until Date (AUD). This is the date that governs your authorized stay in the United States , not the program end date on your Form I-20/DS-2019.

    If your program is longer than the federal maximum admission period, your Form I-20/DS-2019 will still show your full expected completion date, but your I-94 Admit Until Date will be capped at the federal maximum. This is expected, not an error — it does not mean something is wrong with your documents. It does mean you will need to apply for an Extension of Stay before your AUD (not your I-20 end date) expires, even if you still have significant time remaining on your I-20/DS-2019.

    • If this is your first entry on or after September 15, 2026, and you were previously admitted for Duration of Status (D/S): Please submit a copy of your updated I-94 to the DSO/ARO after this entry, so we can confirm your new Admit Until Date and help you understand what it means for your timeline.
    • If you have already been issued an Admit Until Date on a prior entry: Please note any change to your Admit Until Date on subsequent entries and contact our office if you have questions about how it affects your status.

    In all cases, please notify your DSO/ARO whenever you travel internationally and return to the U.S., even if nothing appears to have changed. A brief email or note letting us know you've returned helps us keep your file current and track your correct Admit Until Date. 

Travel on OPT

An F-1 student on post-completion OPT may travel outside the United States temporarily and be readmitted to resume F-1 status and employment for the remainder of the period authorized on his or her EAD card. The student must not have exceeded the maximum OPT unemployment time. 

  • Before I-20 Program End Date

    Same requirements as General Travel, above. 

  • After I-20 Program End Date: OPT Pending

    International travel while an OPT application is pending can be risky and is not generally recommended. If you have an OPT application pending and believe you must travel, please contact your DSO. 

    • If you also have a pending Extension of Stay (EOS) Application, do not travel. Traveling while an EOS Application is pending will generally cause USCIS to consider it abandoned. See our EOS page for details. 
    • Entry to the U.S. in any status other than F-1 OPT will invalidate your OPT work authorization.

    You must have ALL documents listed below in order to travel and reenter the U.S. while on an approved period of OPT. In some cases you may also need to apply for a new F-1 visa before you may return to the U.S.

    • A valid Form I-20, signed on page 2 by an DSO (the signature must not be more than six months old at the time of reentry to the U.S.)
    • An unexpired passport
    • An unexpired F-1 visa in the passport (except for Canadian citizens).
    • An OPT EAD issued by USCIS (note: "Not valid for reentry" printed on the EAD means the EAD alone is not sufficient for reentry)
      • F-2 dependents need a copy of the F-1's EAD card
    • Evidence of a job offer or evidence of resumption of employment

    When traveling, carry documents with you in carry-on luggage, NOT in your checked baggage! You need access to your immigration documents at all times during transit.   

    Students who have the documents listed above may travel outside the United States and reenter even before the date their work permission begins. For example, an F-1 student who graduates in May with an OPT EAD that begins in July may travel and return to the United States any time after graduation.  
     
    NOTE: Entry to the U.S. in any status other than F-1 OPT will invalidate your OPT work authorization.

Travel on STEM OPT

An F-1 student on STEM OPT may travel outside the United States temporarily and be readmitted to resume F-1 status and employment for the remainder of the period authorized on his or her EAD card. The student must not have exceeded the maximum OPT unemployment or OPT STEM Extension unemployment time. 

  • Travel Documentation
    • Valid passport
    • STEM OPT I-20 with a valid travel endorsement signed within 6 months by the DSO
    • STEM OPT receipt: I-797 Notice of Action
    • Job offer letter from employer (for future employers) OR current employment verification letter 
    • EAD Card
      • F-2 dependents need a copy of the F-1's EAD card

    When traveling, carry documents with you in carry-on luggage, NOT in your checked baggage! You need access to your immigration documents at all times during transit.   

  • Pending STEM OPT

    Travel during the OPT application process is allowed, but not recommended, due to certain risks:

    • You will need to have someone monitor your mail for communications from USCIS.
    • If you receive a Request for Evidence (RFE) , you will need to respond by a specific deadline, which could be difficult from outside the U.S.
    • If you are denied for the OPT STEM extension while outside the U.S. after your OPT EAD end date, you will not be able to re-enter or reapply. Your F-1 status will end.
    • If you are approved for the STEM extension while outside the U.S., you will need to arrange for your EAD card to be sent to you to re-enter.
    • If your F-1 visa is expired, you will need to reapply for an F-1 visa with your EAD card and proof of employment. 
       If you choose to travel while your application is pending, monitor your mail and sign up for a USCIS Case Status account. 
    • Communicate with your DSO about your travel plans.

     If you also have a pending Extension of Stay (EOS) Application, do not travel — traveling while an EOS Application is pending will generally cause USCIS to consider it abandoned. See our EOS page for details. 

Travel on Cap Gap

  • General Information

    Generally speaking, you may travel abroad and seek readmission to the U.S. in F-1 status during a Cap-Gap period if:

    • Your H-1B petition and request for change of status has been approved;
    • You seek readmission before your H-1B employment begins (normally at the beginning of the fiscal year, i.e., October 1); and
    • You are otherwise admissible.

    Please note: Traveling outside the U.S. may interfere with the processing of your H-1B petition. We strongly advise that you consult with your employer and their legal counsel processing the H-1B before departing the U.S. Click here for the latest USCIS travel information.