Travel and Visas

Please note that the following information is meant to be used only by Florida State University faculty, staff, students, and potential students of Florida State University and only in the context of international visits to FSU specifically. It is not intended to be used and should not be construed as general legal advice.

Travel

Students traveling to locations other than their home country should check to see if the country to which they are traveling requires them to apply for a visa. Individuals in student status in the U.S. do not usually have the same type of travel privileges abroad as U.S. citizens or permanent residents. A list of foreign consulates in the U.S. is available at http://www.state.gov/s/cpr/rls/fco/. Students should check with the appropriate consulate’s web site under the headings visa or consular services. Look for information on “visiting”, “tourists”, or “short-term travel for pleasure or business”.

Travel back into the U.S. requires the following:

  • A passport valid for six months beyond the date of entry to the U.S.;
  • A valid (unexpired with entries available) J-1 visa stamp in the passport (except when using Automatic Visa Revalidation, see below); and
  • A DS-2019 form valid for at least a few weeks beyond the date of entry to the U.S. and containing a valid travel signature.

It is also recommended that students carry and have available, if asked, the following documentation as well:
  • A current transcript showing continuous enrollment (available at the Registrar’s office);
  • Verification of current full-time enrollment during Fall or Spring (available at the Registrar’s office);
  • Documentation regarding the funding reflected on the DS-2019 form;
  • If currently in Academic Training, the Academic Training authorization and a letter from the employer verifying employment; and
  • Information on any medications that the student is carrying with them during travel.

Students should have the above available in their carry-on luggage. If there are questions or concerns about the student’s status, they will have all documentation required by the official at the Port of Entry to quickly determine eligibility for entry and for the status assigned. The first list of items is everything that is necessary for entry and assignment of the correct visa status. It is helpful to have the items from the second list available if asked for more information, but students should not offer this extra documentation unless asked.

The SEVIS fee is paid only once for a primary J-1 record. It is not payable on J-2 records, on programs which started prior to September, 2004, and on U.S. government sponsored programs. If you have transferred from a U.S. government sponsored program, you should pay the SEVIS fee prior to traveling. The fee should not be paid again if you transfer to a new school or extend your program. For more information on the SEVIS fee, go to www.fmjfee.com. If you have not paid a SEVIS fee because your program started before September, 2004, it is advisable that you print out and carry the part of the FAQ’s at www.fmjfee.com which detail who is not responsible for the fee. This should help you avoid problems with both re-entry and, if applicable, visa applications.

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Travel Signatures

Only the Responsible Officer, Kristen Hagen, or the Alternate Responsible Officers, Tanya Schaad, Joy Ira, Johnnie Levingston-Lee, and Eydie Thurston are permitted to sign students’ DS-2019 forms for travel. No other individual is authorized to sign the DS-2019 form. When a travel signature is given, enrollment is checked, insurance coverage is checked, and other issues involving a student’s status are checked. Students should either plan to come during a scheduled Travel Signature Day, during regular walk-in hours for the J advisor, or should drop off their form at the front desk of the International Center. See Advising Hours.

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Visas

Students should check their visa stamp in the passport to be sure it will still be valid upon their return to the U.S. Some consulates issue visas for a shorter period of time than the entire length of the student’s program, often for only one year. Also, if a student has extended their DS-2019 form and plans to travel abroad, they will probably also want or need to apply for a new visa covering the extended period. The extended DS-2019 form extends only the legal immigration status in the U.S. and allows the student to remain in the U.S. legally, but it does not automatically extend the visa for return travel into the U.S. from abroad. Only a U.S. consulate abroad can grant a visa for entry to the U.S. There is no way to renew a visa in the U.S. For a discussion of the difference between visas and status, please go to Visa vs. Status.

In some cases, individuals are only given 1 or 2 entries within a short time frame, rather than multiple entries (indicated by an “M” under entries on the visa). Students should check their visa to be sure that there are both available entries and an expiration date either on or after the day of re-entry to the U.S.

For information on visa renewal, visit www.travel.state.gov. That site gives an overview of the process, visa wait times, and specific U.S. consulate’s web sites.

To renew the visa, students should collect before they leave the U.S. or be certain that they can obtain from abroad the following:
  • A valid DS-2019 form with an end date in the future;
  • A passport valid for at least 6 months;
  • Documentation of the funding which appears on your DS-2019 form (award letter from government sponsor, FSU department, and/or personal bank statements);
  • A current official transcript (available at the registrar’s office);
  • Verification of full-time enrollment, if not yet graduated (available at the Registrar’s office);
  • Evidence of your ties to and intent to return to your country of last permanent residence at the end of your J program (job offers, assets, immediate family members at home – not in the U.S.);
  • If in post-completion Academic Training, a letter from your employer verifying that you are currently employed, the end date of your employment, what you will be doing explained briefly in layman’s terms, where you are working, and any faculty with whom you are working collaboratively; and
  • If in post-completion Academic Training, the letter of authorization issued by the International Center for your Academic Training period.

Each country has slightly different procedures for scheduling an appointment, paying visa application fees, and processing the visa application forms. Students should be sure that they visit the web site of the consulate at which they will be applying for their visa for details. Students should also research the wait times for visa appointments before making travel plans, as many consulates have extremely long waits, especially during student holidays and summer breaks. Visa wait times listed at www.travel.state.gov are not always accurate. Students should visit the consulate’s web site to see what information is listed there, and, if possible, schedule the visa interview prior to traveling home.

It is advised that students apply for their visa at a U.S. consulate in their home country, as other consulates often have difficulty establishing ties to the home country and may deny the visa on this basis. If the visa is denied in another country, the student should be prepared to travel to their home country to apply there for the visa to re-enter the U.S.

Students should also be aware that they could be subjected to security checks for a number of reasons – if their name is similar to a person of interest, if their name is extremely common, if they are working in a field of sensitive and/or dual use technology (science that can be used for both civilian and military applications), if they are from a country of concern for security reasons, or if the consular officer at their own discretion decides that a security check is warranted. Security checks delay visa processing 90 days on average, but could, in a few cases, delay the process by 6 months or more.

Students should never use a tourist visa or the Visa Waiver program to enter the U.S. if they intend to continue their J program. If the Port of Entry grants tourist status, a student will not be able to study, to work at FSU, and/or receive payroll payments from FSU. Tourist status does not allow these activities. Students should keep in mind that their status is actually determined by the I-94 card, so whatever status the Port of Entry assigns defines what one is permitted to do and for how long.

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I-94

Any foreign national traveling out of the U.S. should relinquish their I-94 upon exiting the U.S. (in most cases), so that there is an accurate record of their departure. If they have failed to surrender their I-94 upon exit and are not using Automatic Visa Revalidation (see below), they should follow the procedures at the U.S. Customs & Border Protection web site.

Upon re-entry to the U.S., students will fill in a new arrival card – I-94. Students should be sure that the I-94 card reflects their name exactly as it appears on their current passport. Differences in spelling, use of nicknames, or reversal of the given name and surname can cause problems with getting a new or replacement Social Security card, getting or renewing a driver’s license, and getting or annually updating a bank account. The I-94 form should also reflect the student’s current residential address, not a departmental or work address. This should ideally match what is currently recorded in SEVIS. To report an address change or re-confirm your current address, go to SEVIS reporting.

If there is a mistake at the Port of Entry, students should try to get the issue resolved at the Port of Entry. It is more difficult to resolve later. Be sure that the Port of Entry does not mark the I-94 for B-1, B-2, F-1, F-2, WT, or WB status. These are the wrong status for your particular program and could have a negative impact on your stay. If you notice a problem after you have passed through the Port of Entry, please be sure to come to the International Center immediately to get the problem corrected.

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Automatic Visa Revalidation

Students whose visas have already expired may still be able to travel to Canada, Mexico, and adjacent islands under a program called Automatic Visa Revalidation. They should very carefully follow all rules and requirements of this program, though, to avoid potential problems. Many students and scholars have used this option successfully in the past; very few have encountered problems. It is advisable, though, to carry a printed copy of the regulation and subsequent advisory on this program from the web sites listed below.

Federal regulations “permits aliens who are traveling in territories contiguous to the mainland U.S. or, in some cases, in adjacent islands and whose visas have expired to re-enter the United States without obtaining a new visa. The alien may do so provided that s/he has been outside the U.S. for not more than thirty (30) days and the alien’s I-94 remains valid.” Recently revised regulations also “prohibit … re-entry using an automatically revalidated visa of any alien who has applied for a new visa while outside the United States. “ In order to utilize automatic visa revalidation, the student must:
  • Have a return ticket for travel back into the U.S. (unless crossing at a land border);
  • Have an expired non-immigrant visa;
  • Have retained their currently valid I-94 card indicating D/S, rather than surrendering it when leaving the U.S. The immigration officials will look at your I-94 card when you enter Canada and when you enter the U.S., but they should not take it from you;
  • Have a valid passport and a valid and signed DS-2019 form. It is advisable to take evidence of financial support, which could include a bank statement or an assistantship/scholarship letter; and
  • NOT be applying for a visa while traveling. Students may apply for a visa or use Automatic Visa Revalidation, but not both.

Please note that citizens of countries who have been deemed state sponsors of terrorism are not eligible for automatic visa revalidation. The list of affected countries is renewed yearly in a State Department report to Congress. Please check with the IC if you think you may be affected by this provision.

Visit the following links for more information on automatic visa revalidation
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Customs

Students should be aware of the limitations on what they can bring into the U.S. and how to fill out customs forms upon arrival. Please review Customs information before you go, so that you can plan and buy accordingly. Students should also review any medications or herbal supplements they carry back into the U.S. to be certain they have proper documentation for these from a medical doctor. Even with proper documentation, some medications and treatments may be prohibited by U.S. law and may be confiscated.

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Travel Plans

When making travel arrangements, students should ask themselves the following:
  • Do I need a new visa? How long will it take to get an appointment and be issued the visa? Within what timeframe can I change my tickets if I am delayed?
  • Do I need a new passport (passport expires in less than 6 months from re-entry date)? How long will passport processing at home or at a foreign consulate in the U.S. take?
  • Does my layover at my Port of Exit from the U.S. (Atlanta, Miami, New York, for instance) leave enough time for any exit procedures USVisit or NSEERS (Special Registration), if applicable? See, Department of Homeland Security web site and/or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement web site
  • Does my layover at my Port of Entry back into the U.S. allow enough time for entry procedures (at least two hours is recommended)?
  • Am I traveling back with anything I will need to declare in Customs? If so, allow extra time at Port of Entry when traveling back into the U.S. (Atlanta, Miami, New York, etc.)

It is always advisable to have a refundable and changeable air ticket if the student will be renewing a visa or renewing a passport while abroad. Visa delays are always a possibility.

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Special Registration

Special Registration (NSEERS) applies to very few people these days, with the advent of US VISIT, but if the student’s I-94 has an FINS number listed and/or is stamped “NSEERS Registrant”, special registration exit procedures should be strictly observed. Be sure that the final Port of Exit from the U.S. is a “designated Port of Exit” for special registration procedures, be sure that the immigration office is open when you will be traveling through the Port of Exit, be sure that you know how to get to the immigration office (not all offices are located in the airport), and be sure that you have plenty of time before your flight out of the country for check out procedures. The walkaway materials detail the designated Ports of Exit and the check out procedures. For more information on Special Registration generally, go to http://www.ice.gov/pi/specialregistration/index.htm.

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