F-1 Students – Travel Outside the U.S.

When traveling within the United States, be sure you have with you (not in your suitcase) these items: 

1. Valid Passport not expiring within 6 months of travel
2. F-1 Visa or I-797 Approval Notice (if applicable)
3. Most recent Form I-20
4. Governmental ID, (example: driver’s license or passport)

There is heightened security not only at all border crossings, Border Patrol interior checkpoints, but also at bus terminals, train terminals and airports throughout the United States. Police from different agencies are patrolling these areas and you may be stopped and questioned randomly. 

A person without valid travel documents can be arrested, threatened with deportation and taken into ICE custody.

To enter the U.S. you must have a valid, unexpired F-1 Visa in your passport. If you are an F-1 student and complying with the regulations to maintain your visa status, you are eligible to remain in the U.S. until you reach the end date on your I-20 or until the end of your academic program, whichever comes first. You do not need to maintain a valid F-1 visa to legally remain in the U.S. The expiration of the visa in your passport has no effect on your stay in the U.S. Once you depart the U.S. you must have a valid F-1 Visa to return.

To renew your visa, complete the DS-160 Online Visa Application. Visa stamps are only issued outside of the U.S. at a U.S. embassy or consulate office.

Check the U.S. Department of State Global Visa Wait Times when deciding to renew your F-1 Visa.

As an F-1 student, you are eligible to travel to Canada, Mexico or the adjacent islands and return back to the U.S. without a valid U.S. visa as long as you remain there for less than 30 days.

Note: You may need a visa to enter Mexico or Canada. Please check the respective government websites before arranging travel to neighboring countries.

• The The Canadian Travel
• The The Mexican Travel

Note: Citizens of Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and Syria, and those from a State Sponsor of Terrorism designated country as listed by the U.S. Department of State will not be allowed to reenter the U.S. with an expired U.S. visa stamp, even if the trip is to a contiguous country.

To learn more, please see Automatic Visa Revalidation. 

Pursuant to 22 CFR 41.112(d) which states, “(i) The validity of an expired nonimmigrant visa issued under INA 101(a)(15) may be considered to be automatically extended to the date of application for readmission”.

F-1 students and dependents (F-2), are eligible to travel to Canada, Mexico or the adjacent islands, except Cuba, for less than 30 days and return back to the U.S. without a valid U.S. visa.

Note: You may need a visa to enter Mexico or Canada. Please check the respective government websites before arranging travel to neighboring countries.

• The Canadian Travel
• The Mexican Travel

The automatic extension of validity at ports of entry benefit is only available to a nonimmigrant who:

Checklist: Eligibility for automatic extension of validity of visa at port of entry

• Was admitted to the United States on the basis of a nonimmigrant visa.
• Has a Form I-94 valid for an unexpired period of admission or extension of stay, or for duration of status (D/S).
  • If the individual had been issued a paper Form I-94 (e.g., had last entered the United States prior to I-94 automation), a paper form must be presented in order to comply with revalidation requirements.
  • If the individual had been admitted with an electronic I-94, it will be best if he or she travels with a print-out of the I-94 record; that electronic I-94 record will be revalidated to reflect the new entry, on the same electronic I-94 record.
• If in F, J or M status, has a current Form I-20 or DS-2019 endorsed for reentry.
• Is applying for readmission after an absence not exceeding 30 days solely in Canada or Mexico or, if in F or J status, after an absence not exceeding 30 days solely in Canada, Mexico, or adjacent islands in the Caribbean other than Cuba.
• Has maintained and intends to resume nonimmigrant status.
• Is applying for readmission within the authorized period of initial admission or extension of stay.
• Has a valid passport.
• Has not applied for a new visa during this particular trip.
• Is not inadmissible as a nonimmigrant under INA § 212.
• Has never had a visa canceled under INA § 222(g).
• Is not a citizen or national of a country that has been designated as a “state sponsor of terrorism.”

For more information visit the Department of State list of state sponsors of terrorism

Use caution when reentering the US with an expired F-1 visa. Bring a hard copy of the following CBP Automatic Visa Revalidation Notice. If you experience difficulty with reentering, kindly ask the CBP Officer to contact your DSO by calling 512-223-4190 or after business hours call 512-909-2175.

If you will be leaving the US before your program end date and you plan to return back to ACC to finish your program within 5 months of your departure, you must inform the International Student Office and request an Authorized Early Withdrawal. To view the required steps to request an Authorized Early Withdrawal.

ACC’s International Programs Office works with international students interested in Study Abroad classes. Speak with an International Programs representative who will provide a list of required documents and procedures. Keep in mind that you may require a visa to study abroad in a different country. Most countries require you to have a valid F-1 visa in your passport before they will issue you a visa to visit their country to study abroad