Travel Information & Risks

Important Considerations for Travel within the United States:

• Customs and Border Protection inside the US: CBP is allowed to search for people without immigration documentation within 100 air miles of any US border.  

  • Federal Regulations state that Immigration Officers, without a warrant, may search for non-citizens in any vessel within the territorial waters of the United States and any railcar, aircraft, conveyance, or vehicle. 

  • Border Patrol Agents do not have carte blanche to automatically search persons and their vehicles. To conduct a legal search, the agents must have probable cause, developed from agent observations, records checks, non-intrusive canine sniffs, and other established means, to conduct a lawful search. Motorist's may consent to a search but are not required to do so. You can read more about it here.

• Documents to Carry

Important Considerations Before Traveling Internationally

• International travel carries with it some risk, and we cannot guarantee that travel permissions will not change after you have left the United States and potentially affect your re-entry.

• Entry to the U.S. is (and always has been) at the discretion of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and is never guaranteed, even if you hold a valid entry visa.
  • Electronic Devices: When you cross a border to the United States, your person, all of your baggage, and all electronic equipment is subject to search.
  • Social Media: You may also be asked to log into personal accounts and social media.
  • Admissibility: It is CBP's job to determine whether someone is admissible to the United States based on the evidence & documentation provided.
    • F-1 Admissibility is determined by successfully "maintaining status" and following all rules of the status for which you were admitted, some of which include, but are not limited to:
      • Nonimmigrant intent: just as nonimmigrant intent was required at the time of you applied for your F-1 visa, it is also required for the duration of your studies in the US
      • US Laws & MassArt Community Standards: following all US Federal Laws and MassArt Community Standards for the duration of your studies in the US

• Travel Bans: for a detailed list of all existing travel bans and restrictions, please refer to NAFSA’s Travel Ban and Restriction section.  

• Process Questions: If you have any specific questions related to processes regarding your return to the United States, we advise you to consult with an immigration attorney prior to traveling. Please note: to view list of attorneys, you must be logged in to MassArt Connect

• Documents to Carry