Travel Documents
When you travel as a DePauw student, you should carry the appropriate documentation with you. This documentation will be used to prove your immigration status and to allow reentry if you leave the United States.
If you are leaving the U.S. and need a new visa stamp, refer to the F/J Reentry Visa page.
Documents for F-1 Students
F-1 students should have the following documents with them to reenter the United States as an F-1 student:
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Valid passport
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Valid entry visa stamp (Canadian and Bermuda citizens excepted)
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I-20 showing F-1 status: Must include a valid travel signature from ISA from within the last calendar year. Note: Students on post-graduate OPT, as well as students from Canada/Bermuda, should have a travel signature from within the last 6 months.
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Proof of Sufficient Funding. (Bring copies of the documents that you used to get your I-20; typically bank statements–and include the letter that indicates your scholarship/grant funding.)
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Proof of enrollment, such as a transcript or certificate of enrollment from the Registrar’s Office
Documents for J-1 Students
J-1 students should have the following documents with them to reenter the United States as a J-1 student:
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Valid passport
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Valid entry visa stamp (Canadian and Bermuda citizens excepted)
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DS-2019 showing J-1 status: Must include a valid travel signature from ISA within the last calendar year.
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Proof of Sufficient Funding. (Bring copies of the documents that you used to get your DS-2019; typically bank statements–and include the letter that indicates your scholarship/grant funding.)
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Proof of enrollment, such as a transcript or certificate of enrollment from the Registrar’s Office
Proof of Enrollment
If you are a registered student of DePauw University, you can email the Office of the Registrar to request a certificate of enrollment. There is no charge for this document.
While proof of enrollment is not required for reentry to the United States, it can be helpful if you are questioned by immigration officials at your port of entry.
Traveling while on OPT
If you travel outside of the United States during your OPT employment, you need the following documents to return:
- Valid passport
- Valid entry visa stamp (Canada/Bermuda excepted)
- I-20 showing F-1 status, with valid travel signature from the last 6 months
- Unexpired EAD (Employment Authorization Document) or, if your OPT application is still pending, the receipt notice from USCIS
- A job-offer letter or letter confirming the current OPT employment
Traveling while on STEM-Extension
If you travel outside of the United States during your STEM-Extension OPT employment, you need the following documents to return:
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Valid passport
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Valid entry visa stamp (Canada/Bermuda excepted)
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I-20 showing F-1 status, with valid travel signature from the last 6 months
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Unexpired EAD (Employment Authorization Document) or, if your OPT application is still pending, the receipt notice from USCIS
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A job-offer letter or letter confirming the current OPT employment
Note: Entry to the U.S. in any status other than F-1 STEM OPT will invalidate your STEM OPT work authorization.
If your current Post-Completion OPT EAD card has expired and you do not yet have your STEM-OPT Extension OPT card, ISA strongly recommends against travel outside of the United States.
However, if a student does travel outside of the U.S. without an approved STEM OPT EAD card, then they must have proof that their STEM OPT application was filed in a timely manner and carry the USCIS receipt notice (Form I-797) with them.