Travel Outside of the U.S
If you plan to travel outside of the U.S. and return while you are a student at Bentley University, you will need to present the following document to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the port of entry to the U.S.:
Documents Needed to Return to the U.S.
- Passport (valid for at least 6 months into the future)
- Valid F-1/J-1 visa*
- Most recent Form I-20/DS-2019 (with a valid travel signature)
- Proof of financial support (recommended)
- EAD (if you are authorized for OPT/STEM OPT)
Students authorized for OPT/STEM OPT, please refer to the Employment section of the CISS website for guidance on how to travel while on OPT/STEM OPT
*Citizens of Canada or Bermuda do not need an F-1/J-1 visa to enter the U.S.
If you are re-entering the U.S. by land, you will need to purchase a paper Form I-94. You can do this by:
- Physically walk into the CBP building at the Port of Entry, present yourself and your documents (Passport and F-1 Form I-20 or J-1 DS-2019) to a CBP officer, and pay the $30 fee to receive your Form I-94 OR
- Pre-paying and applying for a provisional Form I-94 online or via the CBP OneTM mobile application up to seven days in advance of your arrival at the Port of Entry
Find further details on Form I-94 at the CBP website.
This fee only applies to land crossings and will not apply when entering the U.S. by air. Please keep this new fee in mind, especially when planning travel to Canada or Mexico.
Travel Within the U.S.
If you plan to travel within the U.S., we recommend that you carry:
- Valid Passport
- Form I-20/DS-2019
- Copy of Form I-94
- EAD card (if you are on OPT/STEM)
If you are traveling within 100 miles of a U.S. border, you may be stopped by a member of Customs and Border Protection or law enforcement and asked to show these documents. You do not need a valid travel signature on your Form I-20/DS-2019 while traveling within the U.S.
Travel Signatures
If you plan to travel outside the U.S. and re-enter in F-1/J-1 student status, you must have a valid travel signature on your Form I-20/Form DS-2019. The travel signature is located on page 2 of Form I-20 and in the lower left corner of Form DS-2019.
- For F-1 current students, each travel signature is valid for 12 months.
- For F-1 students on OPT/STEM OPT, each travel signature is valid for 6 months.
- For J-1 students, each travel signature is valid for the period noted on the form.
There are two ways that you can obtain a travel signature:
Submit a Reprint I-20 or Reprint DS-2019 Request Form
Log in to the CISS Portal, navigate to the Control Center, and submit the "Reprint I-20 Request" or "Reprint DS-2019" request. This video will guide you on how to submit the "Reprint I-20 Request" through the CISS Portal.
A new form with a travel signature will be prepared and made available to you in the CISS Portal for download in approximately 2-3 business days. Once you receive the new form, you must review it, print it out, and sign it.
In-Person at CISS
Bring your most recent Form I-20/DS-2019 printed out and signed to CISS to request a travel signature. You will receive a new travel signature immediately if your status can be verified. CISS is located in the Student Center Suite 310. Check the CISS website home page for the current business hours.
If you need a travel signature, we recommend that you request a travel signature at least 1-2 weeks before your travel date. Please keep in mind that CISS is closed during major holiday breaks.
Remember to keep copies of all of your previous forms and to use your most recent form for travel and any applications.
Visa Renewal
You will need a valid visa to enter the U.S. unless you are traveling to a country that has automatic visa re-validation (i.e., Canada, Mexico, or an adjacent island).
If you do need to apply for a visa, the process for visa renewal is similar to when you first obtained your visa. An interview may or may not be required, depending on the embassy or consulate that you visit. Requirements for visa renewal are consulate-specific, so you should check with the specific embassy for requirements.
F-1/J-1 visa applicants are expected to apply for their visas at the consular office in their country of citizenship and/or residence. Visa applicants who live in a country with no currently operating consular offices should check the State Department website for guidance on the consular post where they should apply.
You may need to present the following:
- Form DS-160 visa application
- SEVIS Fee Receipt
- Proof of financial support
- An Enrollment Verification Letter-from the Registrar's office to prove your continued enrollment (recommended)
- Updated Form I-20 /DS-2019 with a valid travel signature
Visit the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs website to learn more about how to apply for a visa.
After Entering the U.S.
When you enter the U.S., a Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record is created by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). It is important to check your Form I-94 after you enter the U.S. to ensure that you have entered the U.S. in the correct immigration status. You can find your Form I-94 on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website.
You can find additional information about the Form I-94 at the links below:
Provisional Form I-94 for Certain Citizens
If you are a Citizen of Bermuda, Canada, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, or Palau, and you will be entering the U.S. at a land border crossing, you must apply for and purchase a Provisional Form I-94 within 7 days of your planned entry to the United States. You can apply for the Provisional Form I-94 on the I-94 website.
If you forget to bring your Form I-20/DS-2019 or you do not have a valid travel signature:
- You may be issued a Form I-515A "Notice to Student or Exchange Visitor" which allows you temporary admission to the U.S. for up to 30 days. This form allows you temporary admission to the U.S. During this period, you must send updated documentation to USCIS to extend your status.
- You may be denied entry to the U.S. While this is not common, you must understand this risk.
If you receive a Form I-515A, contact CISS immediately at GA_CISS@bentley.edu. If you fail to obtain a new Form I-20/DS-2019 and submit it to USCIS, your immigration status could be terminated.
As an F-1 or J-1 student, you are usually admitted to the U.S. for D/S or "duration of status." This means that you are permitted to remain in the U.S. in your current immigration status as long as you hold a valid Form I-20 or DS-2019 and are otherwise following the regulations and meeting the requirements of your student status.
If you maintain F-1/J-1 student status and have a valid Form I-20/DS-2019, you may remain in the United States after your F-1/J-1 visa has expired. If you travel outside of the U.S. and your visa has expired, you will need to apply for a new visa to re-enter the U.S.
Secondary Inspection
If the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer is not able to verify your immigration status when you are entering the U.S., or if you do not have the required immigration documents, you may be sent to "secondary inspection." You will be directed to a room where you will need to wait to speak with a CBP officer who will ask you more questions to better understand your situation.
In some cases, this may cause delays in your travel plans. If you are delayed, remain calm, do not panic, and answer any questions to the best of your ability. Remember to be respectful when speaking to the officer(s). The officer may want to speak with a Designated School Official/DSO (a CISS staff member).
If you are detained, you should refrain from signing any documents and request to call Bentley University. Bentley’s campus police office is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round. The Bentley Police Office will contact a CISS Advisor if any immigration-related emergencies are reported.
Michael A. Callahan Police Station
Emergency Line: 781.891.3131
Business Phone: 781.891.2201
Immigration-Related Emergencies: There may be rare circumstances when you need immediate immigration assistance. These circumstances may include the loss of your passport, loss of other important immigration documents, a visit by a government official at home or on campus, detention at a U.S. port of entry, or threat of deportation or removal.
Please note that forgetting to have your form signed for travel is not considered an immigration emergency.
Social Media
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may request to search your electronic devices, such as laptops, tablets, and mobile phones. You may need to provide your device passwords or unlock your devices. Officers are not allowed to select travelers for questioning or a personal search based on religion, race, national origin, gender, ethnicity, or political beliefs.
You may run the risk of being denied entry if you refuse to provide passwords or unlock devices. You should consider the risks before deciding how to proceed. You should prioritize safety whenever using social media and communication platforms. Please review the IT Website for additional information.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) provides information on your rights as a visa holder when encountering law enforcement at the airport. You can review their publication, Know Your Rights, and/or contact the CISS if you have any questions or would like to obtain our list of attorneys.
Report U.S. Port of Entry Issue-DHS Trip
The Department of Homeland Security Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP)is a point of contact for individuals who have had difficulties during travel screenings at transportation hubs such as airports or U.S. borders.
These difficulties include:
- Denied or delayed airline boarding,
- Repeated additional screening, or
- Denied or delayed entry into the United States, via airport, border crossing, or seaport.
Family and Friends Visiting the U.S.
Family members and friends who are planning to visit you in the U.S. for less than 6 months should apply for a tourist visa (B-1/B-2). The CISS does not assist with obtaining tourist visas and does not issue invitation letters for family members or friends.
According to guidance from the Department of State, invitation letters are not necessary for issuing tourist visas, but you may choose to prepare your own letter of support for your family member and/or friend. You can download the CISS Invitation Letter template for guidance
Below are some helpful documents that you can provide to your family members/friends as they are preparing to apply for a visa to visit you.
- Support Letter (from you)-Your letter should specify the duration of your family member(s)/friend(s) stay in the U.S., and the purpose of the visit (for example, to attend your commencement)
- Enrollment Verification Letter (to confirm your student status)
- Bank Statement/Other Financial Documentation-To provide proof of sufficient funds to support the visitors while they are in the U.S. This could be a letter verifying employment or a bank statement. You may also need to submit Form I-134 Affidavit of Support if you will be funding a relative.
- Proof of Intent to Return Home -Documents that support the intent to return home include evidence of a job, property, business ownership, immediate family members who remain back home, copies of a return airline ticket or reservation, or any other strong ties to your home country.
For more information on how to apply for a visa, please visit the U.S. Department of State website.