Important Travel Reminders for F-1 or J-1 Students

Office of International Students and Scholars oiss@tulane.edu
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Greetings, international students!

We hope that you are having a nice winter break. As some of you prepare to travel back to the United States for the upcoming semester, we’d like to send a few reminders for reentry.

Documents Required to Reenter 

  • I‐20 or DS‐2019 with a valid travel signature
  • Valid passport (valid for longer than six months into the future)
  • Valid F or J visa (be sure to use your F or J visa to enter and not another visa, such as a B tourist visa)
  • I‐901 SEVIS fee payment receipt (to print, visit (https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/index.htm)
  • Highly Recommended: Proof of your attendance at Tulane University, such as your current class schedule, payment of fees, admission letter and/or scholarship letter. 

Important: Please check your I‐20 or DS‐2019 now to confirm that it is signed for travel. If not, please click the link below to request. Please allow 3 - 5 days for document request processing. 

Click here to request a travel signature! 

Please note that our office will remain closed for Winter Break until Monday, January 5. While we are closed, we will be unable to process any document requests. If you have an urgent matter, please contact TUPD at (504) 865-5911. 

For full information on traveling to the United States, review our travel page. 

Tips for Travel and Reentry 

Rules surrounding travel and entry into the United States continue to evolve and are subject to change on short notice depending on someone’s country of origin, immigration status, and reason for entry. Here are a few tips and reminders on reentry:

  • We are aware that some of you might be worried about what your experience might be at the port of entry when interacting with a customs officer. We would like to remind you to be honest and courteous to the officer at the port of entry, and to have your documents ready when you’re asked for them. If you have any doubts, visit this page by the American Civil Liberties Union.
  • Anyone entering the US is subject to search by CBP, including their electronic devices and social media. Please be mindful of what information is on your device and what may be displayed on your social media/public profile.
  • Options for legal representation when entering the US are extremely limited. OISS will speak with CBP agents should they reach out to us with any questions, but may not be able to intervene further.
  • We encourage you to contact a trusted friend, relative, or roommate immediately upon landing and then again once you have successfully passed through immigration. Leave a list of important contacts with them, such as an attorney, professor, or OISS, that they can reach out to on your behalf in case of any issue.

If you have any questions about travel or returning to campus, you can reach out to your International Student Advisor and ask! You can find your advisor's email or make an appointment here. We wish you safe travels back to the United States, and we hope to see you on campus soon!

- The OISS Team