What is the I-20 travel signature?
The I-20 travel signature is an endorsement provided by a university’s international student office to continuing international students on an F1 visa status. This endorsement can be found on page 2 or 3 of the Form I-20 given to an F1 student.
New international students entering the US for the first time don’t get a travel signature on their Form I-20s.
The purpose of this travel signature is to serve as a permission to seek entry back into the US when an international student travels outside the United States. Nonetheless, the travel signature is not required to depart the US.
What is the travel signature for DS-2019?
Similar to the travel signature given to F1 visa students on their Form I-20, continuing J1 visa students also receive a travel signature on their Form DS-2019.
However, unlike the F1 travel signature that's provided by a Designated School Official (DSO), the J1 travel signature is provided by a Responsible Officer (RO).
This endorsement can be found on page 1 of the DS 2019 for J1 students.
Similar to the I-20 travel signature, new international students entering the US for the first time on a J1 visa don’t get a travel signature on their Form DS-2019.
You can watch this video below for an engaging summary of how the travel signatures given to F1 and J1 international students work.
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How Long Is the Travel Signature Valid?
Depending on your academic status, the validity of your travel signature could be for either 6 months or 12 months. For example, F1 and J1 students completing their program receive a travel signature that is valid for 12 months or until the end of their program completion date whichever is sooner.
While F1 and J1 students who have completed their programs and are engaged in F1 Optional Practical Training (OPT), F1 STEM OPT, and J1 Academic Training receive travel signatures valid for 6 months or until the end of the respective training period whichever is sooner.
Expired Travel Signatures on I-20 or DS-2019
When making travel plans outside of the US, you should always ensure that the travel signature on your Form I-20 or Form DS2019 will be valid on the day you plan to return to the United States.
Otherwise, you should obtain a new travel signature from your Designated School Official (DSO) or your Responsible Officer (RO) prior to your departure from the US.
What to do if I don't have a valid travel signature?
A quite common scenario F1 and J1 international students find themselves in is forgetting to obtain a valid travel signature prior to traveling outside of the US.
So, what can you do if you realize that you departed the US on an expired travel signature?
Here are some options to consider.
Request an Travel Signature Immediately
You can immediately request that a new I-20 with an updated travel signature be mailed to your international address.
However, this option would only make sense if you have enough time for your I-20 to be delivered to you before you embark on your return trip to the US.
Otherwise, you might want to consider delaying your return trip to the US until you’ve received your updated Form I-20 containing a valid travel signature.
N/B: At the time of publishing this article, due to the on-going pandemic F1 international students don't need to have an originally signed Form I-20 to enter the US as they can do so with an electronically signed I-20. But this is subject to change at any time.
Seek Entry into the United States Using a Form I-515A
This option is quite risky as you may be denied entry. Nevertheless, you could proceed to travel to the US and seek entry with your expired travel signature.
In some instances, this might be your only option, as is the case with some international students who find out at the port of entry that their travel signature expired prior to their departure from the US.
If the customs officer admits you into the US, you would be given a form called the I-515A. This form is a notice that requires you to correct the entry deficiencies determined upon your arrival to the US within 30 days of your entry.
For F1 and J1 international students entering the US with an expired travel signature, you will be required to obtain a valid travel signature on your Form I-20 and Form DS-2019 respectively.
After obtaining this signature, you will then send a copy of this form containing the valid travel signature to the Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), as well as all other documents listed on your Form I-515A.
If you have been given an I-515A, it’s best to contact your international office or an experience immigration attorney as soon as possible for proper guidance.
Final Thoughts
So, to avoid these unnecessary headaches, just make it a habit to check your travel signature in advance of your travel outside of the US.
And if you determine that your travel signature will be expired at the time you intend to return to the United States, contact your Designated School Official (for F1 students) or Responsible Officer (for J1 students) and request a new travel signature.
DISCLAIMER: This article and any content on this website is designed for general information only and is NOT legal advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy or validity of any legal information in this article. If you need personalized legal advice, you should seek the counseling of a licensed attorney.
