Students Studying in The United States International travel

All F-1/J-1 Northeastern students must carry the following when re-entering the U.S. after a trip abroad:

• A passport (valid for at least six months from the date you return to the U.S.)
• A valid F-1 or J-1 visa
• Your most recent form I-20 or DS-2019 with a valid travel signature (travel signatures are valid for 12 months)

Students are also recommended to carry the following documents:

• Any previously issued I-20s or DS-2019s
• Evidence of financial ability, such as a copy of your most recent scholarship letter, bank statement, or tuition payment receipt
• Evidence of current enrollment as a full-time student at Northeastern
  • You may request an Enrollment Verification from the Registrar’s Office or print a copy of your current course registration

If you are not currently employed, we do not recommend traveling outside of the U.S. as re-entry to the U.S. is granted at the discretion of Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

All students on Post-OPT, the STEM Extension, or Post-AT must carry the following when re-entering the U.S. after a trip abroad:

• A passport (valid for at least six months from the date you return to the U.S.)
• A valid F-1 or J-1 visa
• Your most recent form I-20 or DS-2019 with a valid travel signature (travel signatures are valid for 6-months)
• A valid EAD (F-1 alumni only)
• Proof of Employment (we recommend carrying paystubs that demonstrate consistent employment)
  • For J-1 Students: original letter from your AT employer verifying employment (printed on letterhead, dated, and signed), and your letter of AT authorization from OGS.

You are also recommended to carry the following documents:

• Any previously issued I-20s or DS-2019s
• Evidence of financial ability, such as a bank statement or pay stub

Students with the Cap-Gap Extension:

• Do not travel internationally while your H-1B change of status petition is pending.
• You may be able to travel and return in F-1 status under certain conditions, but your H-1B change of status petition must be approved before you depart
• Bring your expired EAD, a travel-endorsed I-20 noting cap-gap, and a copy of your H-1B petition and approval notice
• Please see the OGS cap gap page for more detailed travel guidance.

Please see our F-1 Post-OPT page to learn more about traveling while on Post-OPT and our F-1 STEM Extension OPT page to learn more about traveling while on STEM Extension OPT. See our J-1 Academic Training page to learn more about traveling on AT.

When you arrive at the U.S. Port of Entry, you will first go through Primary Inspection. Make sure to notify someone that you have arrived at the airport or land border before you go through immigration control.

If you are arriving at an airport, proceed to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for inspection. If you are arriving at a land border via car or train, stop and physically walk into the CBP buildings at the Port of Entry.

• Customs & Border Protection (CBP) will conduct an inspection to determine if you are eligible to enter the U.S. As such, be prepared to present the documentation that you provided at the visa interview. They may also ask you some basic questions. Provide truthful answers and ask for clarification if needed.
• Be sure to tell the CBP officer that you are a current F-1 or J-1 exchange visitor at Northeastern when you present your I-20 and F-1 visa or DS-2019 and J-1 visa.  
  • If you are an alumni on Post-OPT/STEM OPT/AT, be prepared to share this with the officer
• Remember that an F-1/J-1 visa is a travel document that allows you to request entry/admission into the U.S. as an international student. CBP has final authority to grant or deny entry and may conduct a full review of your documentation showing full-time enrollment and financial ability to study in the U.S.  
• For more information about CBP Immigration Inspection, visit their website about clearing customs.  
• There are many items that cannot be brought into the U.S. or that need to be declared upon entry. Please check out the Customs and Border Protection Website for more information. 
• You will be issued an electronic I-94, which indicates your nonimmigrant status in the U.S, which should be F-1 student status or J-1 exchange visitor status. 

Secondary Inspection (also called Deferred Inspection) allows a CBP officer more time to ask you additional questions and gather information to determine if you may be allowed entry. Should you need further assistance at the Port of Entry, please remember that Northeastern University can be your main point of contact. 

The officer may ask you additional questions or try to reach out to Northeastern to confirm your status. If additional information regarding your F-1 or J-1 status is needed, please request that the CBP officer calls the university to speak to a Designated School Official (DSO) for F-1 visa holders or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) for J-1 visa holders, using the following contact information: 

• Global Safety Operations Center (GSOC) – Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: 
  • +1 617 373 5000
  • [email protected]
  • This office is open even outside of normal business hours. 
  • This office can best support you when you have registered your travel in advance so that they can easily access your travel details. 

• Office of Global Services – Available Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm EST 
  • +1.617.373.2310 

Most importantly, ensure that you cooperate with the officer as much as possible so as not to create further difficulties. More information on Secondary Inspection can be found here. 

If you are missing documentation or your status is unable to be verified at a port of entry, the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer may issue you a Form I-515A. This form allows you temporary entrance into the US for up to 30 days, during which time you must collect and submit the necessary evidence to the government to be able to remain in the US for the duration of your F-1 or J-1 status. 

If you receive a Form I-515A, the Office of Global Services (OGS) is happy to provide guidance with your response to the government. Please complete the Request to Comply with I-515A e-form to notify us so that we may best assist. 

Note that an I-515A should not have any negative impact on your status as long as you respond in a timely manner. More information on the form I-515A can be found here.