Whether you are visiting your family or if they are planning to visit you, there are certain protocols to follow to ensure a smooth and safe journey.

Before You Travel Outside the U.S.

  • Make sure you have your most recent I-20 from the Center for International Education (CIE).
  • You must have a travel signature to re-enter the United States after traveling. If you do not have a travel signature, or your travel signature has expired, complete the Travel Signature Request in the ISS Portal.
  • Please submit 2 weeks prior to travel to allow for processing times. Once completed, a new I-20 will be emailed to you.
    • Current Students: Your travel signature is valid for 1 year
    • Students on OPT: Your travel signature is valid for 6 months
  • If your F-visa has expired, schedule your visa interview before you leave and allow sufficient time for processing.
  • If you need to travel during the semester (which is generally not recommended), notify your instructors and make plans to make up all missed assignments.
  • Consider if you will need an entrance visa for another country.
  • COVID-19 Consideration: If you plan to study from outside the U.S. inform CIE of your plans, so we may make a note in SEVIS to keep you in compliance with federal guidelines.

CIE recommends you carefully monitor current conditions and travel requirements for the places you intend to visit.

Before You Return to the U.S.

After a visit abroad of less than five months, be prepared to show the following documents upon your return:

  • Passport valid for at least six months after the date of re-entry
  • Valid F-1 visa stamp*
  • Most recently made I-20 with valid travel signature
  • Recommended: Financial documentation showing you can afford tuition and living expenses
  • COVID-19 Consideration: Madison College follows CDC guidance in regards to quarantining recommendations, so before returning from abroad, check the CDC Guidelines.

Automatic Visa Revalidation

A valid F-1 visa stamp is not needed if returning from a visit of less than 30 days to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean islands (excluding Cuba), if valid F-1 visa status has been maintained and will continue after your return.

To take advantage of this revalidation you must have only visited one of these countries (for example, you cannot travel to a country in Asia before trying to use an expired visa to enter the U.S. from Canada; re-entry will be denied in this case). Citizens of the following countries are not eligible for an automatic extension of visa validity: Iran, Syria and Sudan.

Travel Requests for Family and Friends

If you would like to have a friend or family member visit you, the Center for International Education (CIE) can provide an invitation letter to assist with their visitor visa application.

Please complete the Invitation Letter Request form. You will be notified by email when the letter is ready to be picked up.

Invitation Letter Request Form