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Travel Information:  

Travel Reminders

Please be sure to review your immigration documents prior to leaving the U.S. We urge you to read the travel section of the I-Center website for more comprehensive information.

  • Your Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 may need to be signed by the International Center. Bring the document in for signature 1-2 weeks prior to your intended departure date. The form should be signed if:
    • The form has not been signed in the past six months.
    • If you are a new student and have not yet traveled outside of the US since arriving at Tufts, you will definitely need to have a signature.
    • Please note If you have received an email from the International Center to pick up an updated I-20, based on a recent major declaration or change, please be sure to have this new I-20 in your possession when you travel.
  • Visa Stamp Renewal: If the visa stamp in your passport has expired and you are traveling outside the U.S., you will be required to go to a U.S. Embassy to secure a new visa stamp. You may need documentation from the International Center to present at the U.S. Embassy. Be sure to read the travel section of our website first, as mentioned above, then contact us with any questions you may have.

UPON RE-ENTRY TO U.S., NON-IMMIGRANT VISA HOLDERS MUST HAVE:

  • a valid passport (valid at least six months into the future beyond the expiration date of the visa document);
  • valid visa document (Form I-20; Form DS-2019)
  • valid visa stamp in the passport (a visa stamp which corresponds with the visa document)
    • Form I-20 (requires a valid F-1 visa stamp)
    • Form DS-2019 (requires a valid J-1 visa stamp)

NSEERS/SPECIAL REGISTRATION

National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERS) Registrants need to be very cautious when entering and departing the U.S. Individuals must go through a special registration process at the ports of entry and exit to and from the U.S. This process is only available at certain U.S. airports. Logan Airport is an acceptable NSEERS airport. We refer you to the detailed information on NSEERS.

Failure to enter and exit properly could jeopardize your visa status in the U.S.

Practical Training (Post Completion) If you are interested in working in the US after graduation, you must apply for Post-Completion Practical Training. You need to first attend a mandatory Practical Training Informational Workshop. Register for the workshop here.

Please be reminded that the USCIS does not accept Post-Completion Practical Training applications beyond the completion date of a students program. Completion date is determined by your completion date at Tufts, which is not necessarily the same as the commencement date. All of this will be explained in detail at the workshop. Our office needs approximately two weeks to process your paperwork. USCIS may take up to three months to process it, so do plan accordingly.

Leaves from Tufts University If you plan on being on a Leave of Absence from Tufts University for the Spring 2008 semester, you must obtain all of the necessary approvals prior to the end of this Fall 2007 semester. This applies to any type of leave (Tufts Study Abroad; Non-Tufts Study Abroad; Medical Leave; Military Leave; Personal Leave, etc.). Undergraduate students must obtain approval of Leave from their appropriate Academic Advising Dean at Student Services, Dowling Hall, then inform the International Center. Graduate Students must obtain approval of Leave from the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, then inform the International Center of their Leave. Some Leaves cause you to lose your option to apply for pre or post completion practical training upon returning to Tufts. See more detailed information on leaves here.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.