OVIS Winter Break Travel Checklist
OVIS will close for the winter break at 4 pm on Friday, December 19 and our final walk-in hours before the break are from 1-4 pm on Thursday, December 18. Our regular walk-in hours (M,W,Th 1-4 pm) will resume after the winter break on Monday, January 5, 2026.
December 16 is the last day to request a travel signature or submit OPT/STEM OPT requests before the break.
WINTER BREAK TRAVEL CHECKLIST
International students, scholars, faculty and staff who will be traveling outside the U.S. during the winter break should be sure to check your immigration documents prior to departing.
Valid passport
In general, your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the expiration of your period of authorized stay in the U.S. There are limited exceptions for citizens of countries who have an exemption to the six-month validity rule.
Valid visa stamp
Unless you are Canadian and visa exempt, your visa stamp in your passport must be valid at the time of your planned reentry to the U.S., and must reflect your correct nonimmigrant visa status. If you have changed or extended your immigration status since your last admission to the U.S., you may need to apply for a new visa stamp in order to reenter the country. Please refer to the OVIS website for information about the visa application process and wait times and U.S. Consular posts around the world.
Valid Form I-20 (F-1 Students) or Form DS-2019 (J-1 Exchange Visitors)
Check your Form I-20 or DS-2019 to make sure you will reenter before the program end date, and that you have a valid travel signature from OVIS. The travel signature for F-1 and J-1 visa holders is valid for 12 months, unless you are a graduated F-1 student on OPT or STEM OPT, in which case your Form I-20 travel signature is valid for 6 months.
To request a travel signature, see the instructions in the OVIS website. Students and scholars can use Forms I-20 and DS-2019 with an electronic signature from OVIS, or an electronically produced copy of a wet signature. Students and scholars MUST print out the Form I-20 or Form DS-2019, sign with wet signature, and carry the paper copy for presentation at a U.S. Consular appointment and when seeking admission to the U.S. at a U.S. port-of-entry.
Travel and OPT - While on OPT you are still considered to have F-1 (student) immigration status, even if you have completed your studies and have since graduated. You must carry the required documents listed here.
The SEVP policy can be found at: https://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/I20-guidance.pdf
The DOS policy can be found at: https://j1visa.state.gov/u-s-department-of-state-announces-updated-options-for-form-ds-2019/
Plan for possible visa issuance delays
The break time is a busy travel time and higher volumes of visa applications can be expected at U.S. consular posts worldwide. Be sure to check the website of the U.S. consulate or embassy for hours of operation, specific application procedures including required documentation, and processing times. For students, bring a copy of your transcript as proof of enrollment. Dartmouth employees can bring an updated employment verification letter issued by Human Resources (upon request) and copies of your two most recent pay statements. Visit the Department of State website for more information.
Over the last several months the federal government has imposed additional visa restrictions that can impact the visa application process for citizens of certain countries. Visa validity periods have changed for certain countries, and applicants should no longer apply for visas at U.S. Consulates outside their home country (third country national "TCN" applications), with limited exceptions.
Security clearances
U.S. Consular Officers can require visa applications to undergo additional security clearances, known as "administrative processing", based on country of nationality, a name that is similar to a name on a government watch list, study or work in a field involving sensitive technologies, or other reasons. Under a new policy announced in June, all F and J visa applications will automatically be placed in administrative processing for social media vetting. For applications placed in administrative processing the visa will not be issued until the process is complete, which can take several days, weeks or longer. For more information on administrative processing, visit the Department of State website.
Admission at U.S. port-of-entry and automated Form I-94 record
For F-1 students with a previously terminated SEVIS record should expect to undergo additional screening at the U.S. Customs & Border Protection Agency's (CBP) secondary inspection so that your valid F-1 status can be verified in the SEVIS system. Be sure to have your most recent Form I-20 printed, signed and dated, as well as your valid F-1 visa stamp.
All travelers should expect higher degrees of screening at U.S. ports of entry, which could include additional questions regarding social media and possibly a search of electronic devices. Travelers with prior arrests or other law enforcement interactions will likely be subject to increased scrutiny at the time of admission as well, and should consider consulting with an immigration attorney prior to international travel.
When seeking admission to the U.S. travelers should answer questions to the best of your ability, and if you do not understand a question ask for clarification.
I-94 record of arrival
At the U.S. port of entry the CBP officer will create an electronic I-94 record of arrival in the CBP database. Once in the U.S. with access to the Internet and a printer, a copy of the I-94 record of arrival can be accessed on the CBP website. If traveling by land crossing from Canada or Mexico, you must request a "new admission" in F-1 or J-1 status if you want your entry recorded in the agency's electronic system. OVIS recommends the I-94 record be accessed and printed for every new arrival to the U.S. to ensure accuracy. If there is an error in your I-94 record, contact OVIS for assistance in having it corrected. Visit the I-94 website at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/recent-search.
OVIS recommends students and scholars do not use Global Entry or NEXUS. It is likely that travelers using Global Entry or NEXUS will be admitted as a visitor instead of an F-1 or J-1 student/scholar because those programs default to admission in visitor status. Admission as a visitor does not permit study or work in the U.S.
CANADIAN students and scholars should be sure to present their F-1 Form I-20 or J-1 Form DS-2019 for admission. Failure to do so could result in admission as a visitor instead of a student, and the student or scholar could be instructed to return to the port of entry.