Travel Signature (F-1)

A valid travel endorsement on your Form I-20 (page 2) is required for re-entry to the United States after international travel. The validity period of this signature varies by immigration status:

For F-1 students currently enrolled in a degree program, the signature is valid for 12 months (one year) from the date of the DSO (Designated School Official) signature.
For F-1 students returning from Canada or Mexico, or on approved post-completion OPT or the STEM OPT extension, the signature is valid for 6 months from the date signed.

Please check the date on your most recent I-20 to determine if you need a new signature before you travel. If you require a new travel signature or wish for our office to verify your current document, please submit this travel signature request form.

Please submit this form a maximum of one month (30 days) before travel.
A travel updates signature is needed for re-entry only; an updated travel signature is not needed in order to exit the USA. This means we can provide a travel signature while you are overseas. Please still allow 5 business days for us to process your request before your return.

Processing Time: all immigration requests are expected to take about 1 week (5 business days) to process.

* denotes a required field

Your Information

First Name *

Last Name *

SEVIS Number, located on the top right of your I-20. Please provide the last 8 digits: N00XXXXXXXX *

GVSU Email *

G-Number *

Address 1 *

Address 2

City *

State/Province *

Zip/Postal *

Current/Newest I-20 (pages 1 & 2). *
Please upload a file with the extension .pdf with a maximum size of 1 MB (1024 KB)

Are you currently authorized for OPT/STEM or will you be during your planned travel? *

Travel Plans

Your Country of Citizenship *

Please note that there are currently 19 countries on the Travel Restrictions list. Citizens of these countries should consult with ISS before making travel plans and exiting the USA.

Travel Restricted countries: Afghanistan, Burma, Burundi, Chad, Republic of Congo, Cuba, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libra, Sierra Leon, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Turkmenistan, Venezuela, Yemen

Where are you travelling to? *

Date Planning to Exit USA *

Date Planning to Re-enter USA *

F-1 Visa Stamp Expiration Date *

Please note that if your visa stamp expires before your planned travel or while you are outside the USA, you will be required to seek a new F-1 visa stamp. This does not apply to citizens of Canada.

Human Verification *

Page last modified December 11, 2025

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