International Services Office Policies and Forms- Mississippi State University

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International Services Office Policy

Travel and Re-entry Policy

8 CFR 214.2(f)(4)

The Regulation
An F-1 student returning to the United States from a temporary absence of five months or less may be readmitted for attendance at a Service-approved educational institution, if the student presents

a current SEVIS Form I-20 properly endorsed by the DSO for reentry if there is no substantive change on the most recent Form I-20 information; or
a new SEVIS Form I-20 if there has been a substantive change in the information on the student's most recent I-20 information.

For Reentry into the United States after a trip abroad, you must have the following:

A passport that is valid for at least six more months after your reentry into the United States.
A valid student visa in your passport.
Your original I-20 endorsed for travel.

Valid Passport
If your passport expires within six months, you must apply for a renewal of your passport.

Valid Visa
A Visa is valid if the date of expiration has not passed and there are more entries permitted. If your U.S. visa has expired, you will have to apply for a new F-1 visa at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy in your home country prior to reentry. To apply you will need a valid I-20, your passport, and a recent certification of finances.

Change of Status in the U.S. Requires a New Visa
If you changed from another non immigrant status to F-1 while in the U.S., you must apply for an F-1 visa at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy prior to reentering the U.S. For example, if you entered the U.S. on a tourist (B-1/B-2) visa and changed your status to F-1 in the U.S. then you must apply for an F-1 student visa from the U.S. Consulate abroad.

I-20 Endorsed for Travel
A new or endorsed (signed) I-20 is required to travel and reenter the United States in F-1 immigration status. This can be obtained by being in status with immigration and submitting a completed travel request form to the International Services Office.

Applying for I-20 Travel Endorsement
In order to process requests for I-20 Travel Endorsements, the International Services Office will need to have the following documents at least 10 working days prior to departure:

Current I-20 and all previous I-20's (if available)
Passport
Request for Travel Form.

Please note, in order to process travel requests in a reasonable amount of time, these documents must be submitted no later than 10 working days prior to your departure from Starkville. If this form is submitted any later, the International Services Office can not guarantee that your request will be processed prior to your departure.

Reentry and Next Semester Start Date
Failure to enroll at the next semester start date (or an absence of five or more months) requires a new I-20 for reentry.
F and J students are expected to maintain continuous enrollment except during recognized school holidays and the annual summer break. Should you fail to enroll in classes by the next semester start date (first day of class fall or spring semester), your record in SEVIS will be automatically terminated for "failure to enroll" even if you are outside of the United States.
Should your record be terminated, you will need to provide evidence of good standing with the university in order to be issued a new I-20 for re-entry into the United States. You may also be required to apply for a new visa.

Final Notes
Your I-94 Card will be taken when you leave the U.S. Be certain the I-94 is taken. A new one will be issued upon your return.
You MUST attend the University which is listed on your I-20. If you are transferring to another University, you must have an I-20 Form from that institution. Always enter the United States on the I-20 from the institution you plan to attend!
Make sure you read page two of your I-20 carefully. It is your responsibility to know and abide by the immigration regulations that apply to your F-1 immigration status.

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Last modified: 10/30/2003 || URL: http://www.iso.msstate.edu/policies/travel.php
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