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

J-1 Scholars and their dependents must have a valid travel signature on their DS-2019 when re-entering the U.S. after a trip abroad. 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.

Please review the resource on “Required Documents for Non-Citizens in the U.S.” 

For any travel within the U.S. during your J-1 program, we recommend you have the following documents with you:

• A valid passport. The passport should always be valid for at least six months after your date of entry to the U.S.
• Form DS-2019
• Print your most recent I-94 which is your arrival/departure record

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

Northeastern University requires all students and highly recommends that all 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.

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 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.

If you need emergency assistance while traveling, please call one of the following numbers: 

• 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