Traveling Inside The Us: Expired Visas And International Students

International students on an expired visa can travel within the US, as the TSA does not check immigration status at domestic travel checkpoints. However, it is important to note that if you are travelling outside the US, you may need to apply for a new visa to re-enter. This depends on your visa type, and whether your country is eligible for automatic revalidation. Automatic revalidation allows F-1 students to take a trip of less than 30 days to countries contiguous to the US and re-enter on an expired visa, provided they have the correct documentation.

International students can remain in the US with an expired F-1 or M-1 visa, as long as they maintain their student status

If you are planning to travel outside the US, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Firstly, make sure you have all the necessary documentation for your visa application, including a Form I-20 endorsed for travel and signed by your DSO. You will also need original evidence showing proof of necessary funds to cover tuition and living expenses, as well as evidence of your intention to return to your home country upon completion of your program. This may include proof of compelling social and economic ties to your home country. If you have applied for or received approval for optional practical training (OPT), you will need to bring a copy of your Form I-20 endorsed for OPT and your Employment Authorization Document.

It is also important to plan your trip early to ensure that you have enough time to gather all the required travel documents. If you are not returning to your home country, be sure to check the visa requirements of the country you are visiting, as well as any countries where you may have connecting flights. Most countries have immigration websites that provide visa information. Additionally, if you are travelling with a terminated record, be aware that you may not be able to renew your visa or return to the US.

For F-1 students, there is a process called automatic visa revalidation that allows you to take a trip of less than 30 days to countries contiguous to the US (such as Mexico, Canada, or certain islands in the Caribbean) and re-enter on an expired visa. To be eligible, you must have proper documentation and have not applied for a new visa during your visit. This process revalidates your visa for a single trip but does not renew it.

Finally, it is worth noting that while travelling within the US, you are unlikely to encounter anyone who will check your immigration status. The TSA does not check immigration status, and you will only be asked for your passport or ID. However, there is a small chance of coming across CBP interior checkpoints if you travel within 100 miles of the border.

Automatic revalidation allows F-1 students to take a trip to countries contiguous to the US and re-enter on an expired visa, with proper documentation

International students on an F-1 visa can remain in the United States as long as their student status is maintained, even if their visa has expired. However, if they plan to travel outside the US, they must have a valid visa to re-enter, unless they are travelling to a country that has an automatic visa revalidation agreement with the US.

Automatic revalidation allows F-1 students to take a trip of less than 30 days to countries contiguous to the US and re-enter on an expired visa, with the proper documentation. This includes Canada, Mexico, and islands in the Caribbean (except Cuba). It is important to note that this process revalidates the visa for a single trip but does not renew it.

The required documentation for automatic revalidation includes a valid, unexpired I-94 record, which can be obtained as a printout from the Customs and Border Protection website or as a small, white card stapled into the passport for land border entries. Additionally, students must have a current Form I-20, endorsed for travel and signed by their Designated School Official (DSO), and a valid passport for at least six months beyond the re-entry date. While not always required, proof of full-time enrolment and financial support is highly recommended.

It is important to consult with the DSO, embassy, or legal advisor before travelling, as individual circumstances may vary. Additionally, it is worth noting that automatic revalidation is not applicable if a new visa is applied for during the trip.

Students with a pending practical training application are advised not to leave the US as they may receive a request for evidence from USCIS

International students on an expired F-1 or M-1 visa can remain in the United States as long as they maintain their student status. However, if they plan to travel to a different country and return, they must have a valid visa. This is because automatic revalidation allows F-1 students to take a trip of less than 30 days to countries contiguous to the US and re-enter on an expired visa, provided they have the proper documentation and have not applied for a new visa during their visit.

Additionally, if a student with a pending Form I-485 departs the US, they have abandoned their application unless they receive advance permission from USCIS to return. This is called Advance Parole. The CBP may also consider such students ineligible to return to the US as an F-1 student because their application to change status indicates an intent to immigrate, which is inconsistent with nonimmigrant student status.

Students on F or M visas are not permitted to enter the US earlier than 30 days before the start date of their program. If they wish to enter earlier, they must apply and qualify for a visitor (B) visa. After being admitted to the US by CBP officials in visitor (B) visa status, they must apply to USCIS for a change of status to student (M) status before the start of their program.

It is important to consult with a DSO, embassy, or legal advisor before travelling, as individual circumstances may vary. Planning for the trip early ensures that students have enough time to get all their travel documents in order.

International students with an expired F-1 visa can travel within the US, as the TSA does not check immigration status

International students with an F-1 visa can remain in the United States as long as they maintain their student status, even if their visa has expired. However, if they plan to return home or travel to a country where automatic revalidation does not apply, they must obtain a new visa before returning to the US. Obtaining a new visa requires proper documentation, including a Form I-20 endorsed for travel and signed by a DSO, proof of funds for tuition and living expenses, and evidence of the intention to return to their home country upon program completion.

When travelling within the US, international students with an expired F-1 visa do not need to worry about their immigration status when passing through Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints. The TSA does not check immigration status, and its officers are not trained in immigration law. However, there is a small chance of encountering Customs and Border Protection (CBP) interior checkpoints when travelling within 100 miles of the US border. In such cases, having an expired visa should not be an issue, as US visas are only for entry into the country.

It is important to note that if an international student with an expired F-1 visa has a pending Form I-485, they should not depart the US without advance permission, as this could be considered abandoning their application. Additionally, CBP may deem them ineligible to return to the US as an F-1 student due to the inconsistency between their application for permanent resident status and their nonimmigrant student status.

Furthermore, international students with an expired F-1 visa should be aware of the grace period that allows them to remain in the US for up to 60 days after successfully completing their program. During this grace period, they are still considered to be in F-1 status, and they can travel within the US without any issues regarding their visa status.

Students with an expired F-1 visa and a terminated record are advised not to travel outside the US until their SEVIS record is Active

Students with an F-1 visa are permitted to remain in the United States on an expired visa, as long as they maintain their student status. This means that you can stay in the US with an expired visa as long as you are still enrolled as a student at a SEVP-approved school or institution. However, if you are planning to return home or travel to a country where automatic revalidation does not apply, you will need a valid visa to re-enter the US.

Automatic revalidation allows F-1 students to take a trip of less than 30 days to countries contiguous to the US and re-enter on an expired visa, provided they have the proper documentation and have not applied for a new visa during the visit. This process does not renew the visa but rather revalidates it for a single trip. Adjacent countries include Mexico, Canada, and islands in the Caribbean, such as Saint Pierre, Miquelon, The Dominican Republic, Haiti, Bermuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, and The Windward and Leeward Islands.

It is important to note that if you have an expired F-1 visa and a terminated record, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) advises against travelling outside the US until your Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record shows that you are in Active status. If you choose to travel, you may face difficulties in renewing your visa or re-entering the US. This is because departing the US with a pending Form I-485 is considered an abandonment of your application unless you receive advance permission from US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to return. This permission is called Advance Parole. Additionally, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may deem you ineligible to return to the US as an F-1 student, as your application to change status indicates an intent to immigrate, which is inconsistent with nonimmigrant student status.

To avoid any issues, it is recommended that students with expired F-1 visas and terminated records do not travel outside the US until their SEVIS record is Active. If travel is necessary, it is advisable to consult with a Designated School Official (DSO), embassy, or legal advisor before making any travel plans. Each student's circumstances are unique, and seeking professional advice can help ensure that all the required documentation is in order.

Frequently asked questions