Traveling and Travel Signatures

J-1 Scholars and their dependents must have a valid travel signature on their DS-2019 prior to traveling outside the United States. This signature is valid for one year or program duration of the DS-2019, whichever is earlier. It is your responsibility to submit a travel signature request prior to your first time traveling internationally, and to ensure it is valid or obtain additional signatures as needed for future travel.

If you travel outside the U.S., you will need:

  • Passport valid for at least six months into the future from the return date
  • J-1 visa valid past the return date
  • DS-2019 with a valid travel signature signed within the last year from the date of your return to the U.S.
    • If you need a new travel signature, please submit the J-1 Travel Signature Request e-form in myOGS. Please allow 10 business days for travel signature processing.
    • 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.

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.

Automatic Revalidation

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.