International Scholars

International Travel and Re-Entry

Travel to Other Countries

Countries other than your home country may require that you have an entry visa and/or immunizations to enter their country. Before making travel plans, find and read the web site or contact the consulate or embassy for the countries you plan to visit for information about their entry requirements. 

Travel Endorsements

You must have a valid Travel Endorsement on your DS-2019 (lower right corner) in order to re-enter the United States. Travel endorsements are valid for one year, although we recommend scholars get a new travel endorsement every 6 months. Travel endorsements may be requested on WorldLink. See Travel Endorsement Requests for instructions.

Re-entry to the United States

To re-enter the U.S. in J-1 status, you must have the following documents.

  1. Passport
    Your passport must be valid at least six months into the future at all times, especially when traveling.
  2. J-1 U.S. Entry Visa
    1. The visa stamp must be valid on the date of your entry to the U.S.
    2. If your visa will be expired at time of travel, you must apply for a new visa at a U.S. consulate before you can re-enter the U.S. Consult a scholar adviser at ISSS before traveling.
    3. The visa must have PSU’s name on it. If you have transferred programs or are starting a new exchange program at PSU, you must obtain a new visa before entering the U.S. Contact ISSS for more information.
    4. If you have a valid visa in an old expired passport, you may use the visa together with a new valid passport to enter the U.S.
    5. Canadian citizens do not need a visa. Canadian Landed Immigrants are required to have a visa.
    6. See also, “Understanding Your Visa.”
  3. Valid DS-2019 with Current Travel Endorsement
    You must have a valid Travel Endorsement on your DS-2019 (lower right corner). 
  4. Recommended – Not required, unless applying for a visa
    1. Evidence of Financial Support
      Carry a copy of your financial support documents (PSU appointment letter, grant award letters, bank statements, etc.)
    2. Host Dept. Letter
      Brief letter from your host department or faculty member stating that you are continuing the exchange program and will resume your work at PSU upon your return.

When traveling, hand-carry your documents. Do not put them in your checked luggage.

Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and other U.S. territories and possessions are part of the United States, so a visa is not needed to travel to those locations from within the 50 United States, or to return to the 50 United States from those locations. However, scholars should always carry full documentation (passport, DS-2019, and I-94) during such travel.

TRAVEL CAUTIONS

Consult a scholar adviser at ISSS before travel if any of the following are true:

  • Your U.S. visa has expired.
  • You plan to apply for a U.S. entry visa in Canada, Mexico or adjacent islands.
  • You will be out of the U.S. more than 30 days.
  • Your DS-2019 has expired or will expire in the next 60 days.
  • You plan to apply, are currently applying, or have applied in the past for U.S. legal permanent resident status (green card).

 

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

We want you to have a safe and worry-free trip! Here are some tips for international scholars traveling to the U.S.

  • Don’t Pack a Pest While packing for a trip, it is important to know what foods and medicines, as well as plant and animal items, are not allowed in the United States.
  • Can Border Agents Search Your Electronic Devices? It's Complicated (American Civil Liberties Union) The ACLU offers information on travelers' rights.
  • Digital Privacy at the U.S. Border (Electronic Frontiers Foundation) Although this information is somewhat specific to travel to the U.S., many countries authorize their immigration and customs agencies to conduct searches of electronic devices at their borders, often with limited oversight and a broad scope of authority. Maintaining your digital privacy can smooth not just your travel, but also reduce the impact of loss or damage to your devices during travel. EFF's pocket guides may be helpful tools to review prior to and after travel to the U.S.
  • Article about passengers' rights on domestic flights. (The Atlantic)  While the article says you may not be required to show ID when deboarding a domestic flight, we advise international students to cooperate with law enforcement in all situations.
  • If a non-citizen admits to an immigration official that he or she has ever used marijuana, the person can face very serious immigration problems. Read this important WARNING FOR IMMIGRANTS ON LEGALIZED/MEDICAL MARIJUANA (PDF).