Travel Signature
A Travel Signature on an I-20 or DS-2019 verifies that the student or scholar has maintained a valid status and is eligible to re-enter the U.S. Those on F-1, J-1 or dependent visas must make sure that their I-20 or DS-2019 documents have been signed for travel within the last 6 months before traveling outside the U.S.
Travel Signature FAQs
Why isn't my "Initial Attendance" I-20 signed for travel?
- Your Initial Attendance I-20 is not signed for travel. Your I-20 will be signed for travel after you arrive on campus and are enrolled full-time.
Why does Brandeis recommend a signature every 6 months?
- Though travel signatures are technically valid up to a year, we recommend that our students and scholar travel with signatures no older than 6 months. We have found that the older the travel signature, the more likely to encounter questions at the Port of Entry.
How can I get a new document when there is no more room left for a Travel Signature?
- Before we can issue you a new document, you will need to provide financial documents (bank statements, letters of sponsorship, scholarship letters, etc.). Please plan ahead and contact the ISSO well in advance of when you plan on travelling. We can advise of you the amount of finances you need to show. Once we have all your documents, it can take up to 2 weeks (though it usually takes less time) to issue you a new document.
Sample I-20 with Travel Signature
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Travel Signatures appear on the 3rd page of I-20 documents. The document must be signed for travel within 6 months of the date of re-entry to the U.S.
Sample DS-2019 with Travel Signature
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