This message was originally sent to international students and visiting scholars by email on 2/17/2025.
Subject: Message to Students and Scholars Regarding International Travel
Dear International Huskies,
I know that many of you are making your travel plans now for spring recess and summer break international travel, so I’m writing with some reminders.
- Submit a Travel Information Record every time you travel internationally. Do this before you depart the U.S.
- Travel with the following documents in your carry-on bag, every time you travel internationally:
- Unexpired Passport
- Unexpired F or J visa
- Form I-20/Form DS-DS-2019 with travel signature
Check page two of your current form I-20 (or page one of your form DS-2019) to determine if you already have a valid signature. As a reminder, travel signatures are valid for one year from date of issue (for current students and scholars). You must still report your travel even if you do not require a travel signature.
If you plan to travel during a break period and need a travel signature, you must submit a travel information record through the ISSS website. Once processed, you will be notified with instructions for retrieving your I-20 with travel signature through the ISSS portal.
If your visa has expired and you need to apply for a new visa, it may be best to postpone your travel until a later date when there is more time to complete this process. Spring recess is only one week and does not leave any time for administrative processing or visa issuance delays.
Recent Immigration Updates:
Over the past few weeks, the ISSS has been fielding inquiries from international students and scholars questioning if recent executive orders will affect international travel plans. ISSS and the university are closely monitoring recent executive orders and their potential impact. In the event a new order is issued that impacts international travel, the ISSS will communicate this with international students and scholars as soon as possible. While it is possible a new order impacting international travel could be issued, there is no way of knowing what the exact scope will be or what potential exceptions might be included. Therefore, it is important that you assess the potential risk for you personally and make your travel decisions accordingly.
Please note that section 2 of the Executive Order 14161 directs the Secretaries of the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State to issue a joint report within 60 days (by March 20, 2025 at the latest) “identifying countries throughout the world for which vetting and screening information is so deficient as to warrant a partial or full suspension on the admission of nationals from those countries pursuant to section 212(f) of the INA.” This report could lead to travel bans and reduced access to visas for international students and scholars from the countries identified, though as mentioned earlier there may be exceptions or special protocols to any potential ban put in place.
Know that ISSS continues to monitor the situation and send you any updated information on travel.
Best regards,
Arthur