Required Travel Documents
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Current Brandeis students who are F-1 visa holders should be able to present the following documents upon re-entering the U.S.:
F-1 students on post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) should be able to present the following documents upon re-entering the U.S.:
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Form I-20 with a valid travel signature (Not more than 6 months old)
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OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
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Employer letter to prove that you have a job or a job offer
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Passport (Valid for at least 6 months into the future)
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Valid F-1 entry visa (See visa renewal section if needed)
F-1 students on the STEM OPT extension should be able to present the following documents upon re-entering the U.S.:
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Form I-20 with a valid travel signature (Not more than 6 months old)
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STEM OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
- Employer letter to prove that you have a job or a job offer
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Passport (Valid for at least 6 months into the future)
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Valid F-1 entry visa (See visa renewal section if needed)
J-1 Students should be able to present the following documents upon re-entering the U.S.:
J-1 students on Academic Training should be able to present the following documents upon re-entering the U.S.:
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Passport
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SEVIS Form DS-2019 with a travel endorsement signature no more than twelve months old.
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For your return to the United States, you will also need a valid J-1 Entry Visa Stamp in your passport (see section on visa renewal if needed).
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Brandeis ID Card
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Employment authorization letter and proof of current employment(letter from employer, paystub, etc.)
J-1 scholars should be able to present the following documents upon re-entering the U.S.:
- Passport (Valid for at least 6 months into the future)
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Form DS-2019 with a valid travel signature (Not more than 12 months old)
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Valid J-1 Entry Visa (See visa renewal section if needed)
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Copy of current letter of appointment from Brandeis
H1-B status holders should be able to present the following documents upon re-entering the U.S.:
- Passport (Valid for at least 6 months into the future)
- Valid H-1B Entry Visa
- Form I-94
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Original Notice of Approval (Form I-797) of H-1B
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Copy of entire H-1B application filed by Brandeis to the USCIS
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Proof of employment (letter from employer, current letter of appointment, paystub, etc.)
Important to Remember
Remember to have your Form I-20 / DS-2019 signed within 12 months of the date you expect to travel back into the U.S. (If the F-1 student is on Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) or the OPT STEM Extension, the travel signature must be valid within 6 months from the date of re-entry to the United States.)
Travel signatures can be obtained at the ISSO by submitting a request for a Reprint in the ISSO Portal.
Sponsored students should contact their sponsoring agency to obtain a valid travel signature.