Travel Guidance for F-1 and J-1 Students

Travel Signatures

You can depart the United States even if you don’t have your I-20/DS-2019, or a valid travel signature with you, but will be required to show either your I-20 or DS-2019 with valid travel signature at the time you re-enter the U.S. F-1 students require an updated travel signature every 12 months for enrolled students and every 6 months for alumni on F-1 OPT. J-1 students require an updated travel signature every 12 months.

ENROLLED STUDENTS

Travel signatures can be received either by visiting us during business hours with your most recent I-20/DS-2019 or online following the instructions below. Current government guidance allows us to send both I-20s and DS-2019s electronically. We recommend that J-1 in students bring their current DS-2019 in-person to the Davis IC for a signature if on-campus; however, if you are unable to do so or have no remaining open travel validation spaces on your current DS-2019, please submit the online form to request a new document. 

To access the online request form log into TigerNav with your university netid and password. You will navigate to the "Travel Signature Request" Form by going to the “Student Services” tab in the left-hand navigation menu and then to “Travel Signature Request.” Processing time is up to five (5) business days for online requests. The "Travel Signature Request" form will provide additional information along with expedite request guidance. 

SCHOLARS

Travel signatures are good for 1 year or until your current program end date, whichever date is sooner.

Please bring your current DS-2019 to the Davis IC during business hours to get a travel signature on the spot. You can check our advising and appointments page for any disruptions to our office hours. If there is not space for another travel signature, or if you have already left the U.S., please email [email protected] to request a new DS-2019.

ALUM ON POST-OPT, STEM-OPT, or POST ACADEMIC TRAINING

Travel signatures are good for 6 months or until your current EAD end date/academic training end date, whichever date is sooner.

You may visit the Davis IC during business hours to get a travel signature on the spot OR submit an online request to have a new I-20/DS-2019 sent to you digitally that you can sign/print for travel.

To submit an online request, please do the following:

  1. Visit TigerNav and scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the link for “Post-Completion Practical Training Students/New Scholar Login” to access a limited services “Login.” 
  2. If you have not done so already, use the link at the bottom of the screen to have your limited services access pin (which will serve as your password) emailed to you.
  3. Login using your University ID, Date of Birth, and Limited Services Pin/Password. Your pin/password will remain the same and you may use the email password link as needed for future logins should you no longer remember your login information.
  4. Click “Student Services” in the left-hand navigation menu and then “Travel Signature Request.” The "Travel Signature Request" form will provide additional information along with expedite request guidance. 

If you have an emergency and need immediate assistance outside of regular office hours, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (i.e. family emergency that requires immediate departure from the U.S., problems at the port of entry upon returning to the U.S.) please call Public Safety at 609-258-1000 and ask to get in touch with the Davis IC advisor on call. If you don’t have your I-20/DS-2019, or you have forgotten to obtain a travel signature, please email [email protected] and we will respond to you when our office re-opens. Please note that you can depart the United States even if you don’t have your I-20/DS-2019, or a valid signature, with you. We will advise you what to do if you don’t have them on the way back.