Travel

In order to leave the U.S. and re-enter in valid student status, students should plan carefully. Please review the information below as well as our Travel FAQ.

F-1 and J-1 students and their dependents must have a signature from an Immigration Services advisor on the form I-20 or DS-2019 before they depart the U.S.
To obtain the signature, please go to compass.uga.edu, log in, and submit the Replace I-20 Document (for F-1 visa holders) or Replace DS-2019 Document (for J-1 visa holders) form. Select “travel” as the reason for the replacement document.

Students returning to enroll in classes need the following documents to re-enter the U.S.:

• Passport issued by student’s country of citizenship with an expiration date of no less than 6 months in the future
• F-1 or J-1 visa obtained at an U.S. Consulate or Embassy located outside the U.S. & valid at the time of re-entry to the U.S.
• Unexpired I-20 or DS-20 signed for travel
• Students my find it helpful to travel with an Enrollment Verification statement issued by the UGA Registrar. Students may request this document in Athena.

Students that have completed all degree requirements may find it problematic to travel outside the U.S. if their intent is to re-enter using the F-1 or J-1 visa. We encourage students to speak with an Immigration Services Advisor before traveling.

Students with pending or approved Optional Practical Training (OPT) applications should contact an Immigration Services Advisor for guidance before leaving the United States.