Students Studying in The United States Traveling as a J-1 Scholar

Before traveling abroad, make sure you have the proper documentation to re-enter the U.S. including a valid travel signature. Save the emergency contact numbers below to your phone before you travel.

• Consider the duration of your travel
  • J-1 Scholars are expected to remain in the U.S. and participate in their program activities in person for the duration of their J-1 program.
• Review current travel recommendations
  • Read OGS’s Current Travel Recommendations
  • Read GSOC’s Travel Updates and Announcements 
• Get a valid travel signature
  • Your DS-2019 must have a travel signature valid for the date you re-enter the U.S. Learn more below.
  • Your travel signature is valid for up to 1 year, or until your current DS-2019 program end date, whichever is sooner. 
• Check the validity of your visa
  • If your visa will expire before your return, you will need to renew it in your home country/country of residency before re-entering the U.S. 
• Register your travel
  • Register with the university’s Travel Registry. This helps the Global Safety Operations Center assist you quickly in an emergency. 
• Gather your required documents
  • Pack your documents in carry-on luggage for easy access. See the full document checklist below. 

If you travel outside the U.S. during your J-1 program, you will need the following documents to re-enter the U.S. to continue your J-1 program: 

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

J-1 Scholars are also recommended to carry the following documents: 

• Any previously issued DS-2019s from your current J-1 program 
• Your Northeastern appointment/offer letter* 
  • *Please contact your HR contact if you’re unsure how to find this. 
• Financial documentation confirming the funding listed on your DS-2019
  • This may be in the form of Northeastern pay stubs (for paid scholars), home institution funding letters, or personal/family bank statements. 

A travel signature (or travel “validation”) is an endorsement on your DS 2019, given by an Alternative Responsible Officer (ARO) in the Office of Global Services (OGS), after screening your immigration record to verify that you have been successfully maintaining status. 

Where to find it? 

• J-1 exchange visitors: Bottom right section of your DS-2019 

How long is my travel signature valid? 

• Your travel signature is valid for up to 1 year, or until your DS-2019 program end date, whichever is sooner.  

If you need a new travel signature: 

• Please submit the J-1 Travel Signature Request e-form in myOGS. Please allow up to 15 business days for processing your request. 
• Once approved, you will receive a new digitally-signed DS-2019 for you (and any J-2 dependents on your record) with a valid travel signature to your Northeastern email address. 

Travel Signature Request »

If you travel to Canada, Mexico, or certain Caribbean islands for less than 30 days, you may be eligible to re-enter the U.S. with an expired J-1 visa. Please refer to the Department of State website for more details prior to traveling.

If you travel within the U.S., you should carry your passport, I-94, and DS-2019.

You are advised to check your I-94 and print a copy after every re-entry to the U.S. 

Learn more here about obtaining your most recent I-94. 

The Office of Global Services recommends that all international students and employees carry the following documents as proof of nonimmigrant status: 

• A valid passport. The passport should always be valid for at least six months after your date of entry to the U.S. 
  • For routine travel (e.g. within your city) you may choose to carry a copy of your passport information page to avoid the risk of losing or misplacing your passport
• Form DS-2019 (J-1 Scholars) 
• Your most recent I-94 which is your arrival/departure record
• EAD (if applicable for J-2 dependents working in the U.S.) 

Any family members traveling with you who have J-2 visas should carry the same documents. 

Review this FAQ and guide to understand the documents that non-U.S. citizens are required to carry while inside the U.S. 

Travel Registry 

All Northeastern students, faculty, and staff enter their travel itinerary and housing accommodations into the Travel Registry. This allows the university to communicate directly with travelers if unexpected events or conditions create circumstances that might pose health or safety risks. In addition, it enables on-campus resources and external support providers to better respond to students, faculty, and staff who may need medical or security assistance. 

The 100-Mile Border Zone 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may periodically carry out enforcement actions, such as transportation checks or traffic stops, in areas close to the U.S.-Canada and the U.S.-Mexico borders, as well as the U.S. coastline. These activities are conducted under CBP’s stated authority to perform random checks within a 100-mile zone from any external boundary of the United States. To remain compliant, students are advised to always carry the valid travel documents as listed above. 

To learn more about the 100-mile border zone, review the ACLU “Know Your Rights” website. 

If you will be outside the U.S. for more than 30 days, please review the “Out of Country” information on the Maintaining Status page to confirm if you will need to submit an Out of Country request to OGS.

IMPORTANT: If you will be conducting work related to your Northeastern University position outside the U.S., you and your Northeastern supervisor may be required to submit a Temporary Remote Work Request Form to the Global Mobility Office. The Global Mobility Office reviews these requests to ensure compliance with labor and taxation laws related to remote work performed while abroad. If you meet any of the following criteria, please discuss your travel with your supervisor and submit a request to the Global Mobility Office at least 3 weeks prior to the anticipated start date or remote work:

• Full-time, benefits-eligible, U.S.-based employee (note that unpaid scholars or paid non-benefits eligible scholars are not required to submit remote work requests)
• Traveling to home country for a valid reason (e.g., family event, health-related needs, emergency, etc.)
• Plan to work remotely for 15 days [2 weeks] or longer outside of the U.S.
• Has valid immigration documentation for re-entry to the U.S. or Canada

Please also note that for all university-related travel (not including travel during personal vacation time), all Northeastern students, faculty, and staff are required to register their itinerary prior to departure in accordance with the Policy Requiring Registration of University Travel. Please see the Global Safety Office Travel Registry for instructions and more information.

• If you have completed your J-1 program, you will not be allowed back into the U.S. on your J-1 visa. 
• Any family members traveling with you who have J-2 visas will also need to carry the same documents. Please review the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) tips for travel. 
• OGS does not recommend J-1 scholars have extended absences outside the U.S. beyond 30 days, unless approved for an “out of country” authorization (see the section below). 
• If you have received a notice of visa revocation or have ever had a civil or criminal charge (even if it did not lead to an arrest or conviction), consult with an experienced immigration attorney before traveling. 

Save these numbers to your phone before you travel. 

• If you are at a U.S. Port of Entry (i.e. airport): +1-617-373-2121  
• If you are departing for your Northeastern campus within 24 hours or are already in transit: +1-857-214-5332