Traveling Over the Holidays

During the holiday season, you may wish to travel outside the U.S. But before you pack your suitcase, be prepared so you can maintain your legal immigration status and return to the U.S. as expected.

Travel Signatures

Travel within the U.S. does not require an updated travel signature on the Form I-20 or DS-2019.

For international travel, a travel signature is required on the Form I-20 or DS-2019 in order to return to the U.S. For more information about traveling and documents to bring with you, visit our Travel section. Note: The processing time for travel signatures is three (3) business days.

• Current F-1 students (and dependents): The Form I-20 must be signed by an OIE advisor within 12 months of the date of re-entry. To request a travel signature, submit the “I-20 Signature Request E-Form” in the MyOIE Portal.
• F-1 students on OPT (and dependents): The Form I-20 must be signed within six months of the date of re-entry. To request a travel signature, submit the “Request for Travel Signature or Reprint I-20 E-Form” using the Limited Services Login in the MyOIE Portal.
• J-1 Students and Scholars (and dependents): The Form DS-2019 must be signed by an OIE advisor within 12 months of the date of re-entry. To request a travel signature, complete the OIE Request for Services Form (PDF). Either email or bring the form to OIE along with your most recent DS-2019(s) to the OIE Front Desk window.

OIE and University Holiday Closure:

Please note that OIE and the University will be closed on the following dates:

• Thanksgiving:

  • Thursday, November 23 through Friday, November 24, 2023
  • Normal operations will resume Monday, November 27, 2023
    

• Winter Break:

  • Monday, December 25 through Tuesday, January 2, 2024
  • Normal operations will resume Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Note: The OIE office may close early on the afternoons of Wednesday, Nov. 22, and Friday, Dec. 22, so please plan ahead.

During the University’s holiday closures, OIE staff will not regularly check email or answer office phones.

In case of an emergency while the university is closed, please call University Police at 412-268-2323. Emergency situations might include being denied entry/re-entry to the U.S. or detained by a government official. For all other issues, including the need for an updated travel signature, OIE will be happy to assist during normal business hours once the university has reopened.

We wish you all good health and a safe holiday season!