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

Image of travel endorsement 

  • Current Students: Travel Signature is valid for 12 months (1 year) from the date of issue except in the following circumstances:
    • Visiting/connecting in Canada, Mexico, or other US bordering territories, Travel Signature is valid for 6 months from the date of issue
  • Students on OPT/STEM OPT: Travel Signature is valid for 6 months from the date of issue 
  • Applying for a a new F-1 visa while traveling (All current or OPT STEM OPT students):
    • speak to your ISA about before you travel to receive advising on recommended visa renewal process and documents
    • 1 month or less prior to travel ​​​​​​​new travel signature should be obtained 

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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