This page includes important information about international travel during your stay as an F-1 student in the United States. Please read all sections carefully.
If you are leaving the United States temporarily, please remember that you need a valid travel signature (endorsement) from your DSO on page 2 of your I-20.
The staff in Global Learning needs time to review your SEVIS record and your student record and registration in Concordia’s systems to ensure you are in Active F-1 status, which will allow for a smooth re-entry back into the United States upon your return. After we have reviewed your case, we can provide you with a travel signature.
Remember, having a valid travel signature on your I-20 is not necessary to leave the country--only to re-enter. But please, plan ahead and request a travel signature at least 1 week before you plan to travel.
Signatures are valid for one year upon re-entry for continuing F-1 students. This one-year validity period is stated above the signatures on page 2 on an I-20.
This does not mean you need to get your I-20 signed once a year. It means that if you must leave the United States and re-enter on your F-1 program, look at the date of the last signature to make sure the most recent signature will not be more than 1 year old when you re-enter.
F-1 Students: Please see page 2 of your I-20 and the note above the signature lines which reads:
"This page when properly endorsed, may be used for reentry of the student to attend the same school after a temporary absence from the United States. Each certification signature is valid for one year." More information can be found here on Study in the States.
A special note for F-1s on OPT or STEM OPT: The travel signature on page 2 of your I-20 is valid only for 6 months, not one year (please see 8 CFR 214.2(f)(13)(ii)). We recommend you also carry any I-797 approval notices and the original printed EAD card from USCIS, in addition to a letter from your employer stating you are currently employed.
Email us at global@cord.edu to start the process to request a travel signature. Include your name, Student ID, and approximate travel plans and dates.
We will email you when your signed document is ready.
In addition to having a valid I-20 or DS-2019 (endorsed for travel as noted in #1), you must also possess a valid visa and passport to return to the U.S.
Are you in valid F or J status but your is visa expired - and you plan to travel to Canada or Mexico for less than 30 days? You may have heard of "Automatic Revalidation." This does NOT apply to everyone, but it does apply to certain nonimmigrants, and only to those persons who are currently in a valid immigration status. Click here for more information. The ISSAS office cannot advise on this - it's the responsibility of the travelling individual to ensure they meet the criteria to use the automatic revalidation exception.
When you are returning, you must obtain your electronic I-94 number after your entry.
An individual is responsible for ensuring that they meet all requirements to both enter Canada, and re-enter the United States after their stay in Canada.
Each person's situation may vary based on country of citizenship (and whether or not you need a visa to enter Canada), and COVID-19 related testing or vaccine requirements.
No visa is required in advance for Canadian citizen students to enter the United States to study at Concordia with F-1 student status, but you must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee before you make your first entry. This can be done online using a credit card with your I-20 form available at www.fmjfee.com. If you are a landed immigrant in Canada (not a citizen of Canada), a visa will be required and must be obtained at a US Embassy or Consulate in Canada before entering in F-1 status.
American Customs and Border Protection and our current students provide this information for Canadian citizen students about border crossing:
A mistake in U.S. entry procedure can cause problems if you end up with anything other than F-1 student status.