Travel Signatures for F-1 Students

A travel signature is an endorsement from your International Student Adviser (ISA) that certifies you are eligible to re-enter the United States in F-1 student status. The endorsement is a signature on p. 2 of your most recently issued I-20 document.

CLICK ON LINK: RISKS OF TRAVEL OUTSIDE THE US

 

A travel signature is used to enter the US and is valid for:

  • One year (1 year) from the date of issue except in the following circumstances:
    •  If you are entering the US from Canada, Mexico, or other US bordering territories, your travel signature should be less than 6 months old when you enter the US
    • If you are on post-completion or STEM extension Option Practical Training (OPT), your travel signature should be less than 6 months old when you enter the US
    • If you plan to apply for a new F-1 visa stamp while you are traveling, your travel signature should be obtained just before you travel and you should speak to your ISA about your plan

A travel signature is only valid for admission to the United States only if presented with a valid F-1 visa and passport

  1. Ensure that you have read about the risks of travel outside the United States
  2. Ensure that you have all the required documents in order to re-enter the United States
  3. Complete request form: REQUEST A TRAVEL SIGNATURE OR REPLACEMENT I-20 NOW
  4. Your international student adviser will issue a new I-20 document for you with an updated travel signature and send it to your MassArt email address
  5. Please note, electronically issued signatures on I-20s are accepted per this guidance but you must carry a hard copy of the I-20
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