Leaving the U.S. during school breaks
While you are in the United States on a nonimmigrant visa, you
are free to travel back and forth, provided you have remained in
status throughout your stay. Just remember that you must ALWAYS
have your I-20 or DS-2019 signed by an ISSS staff member before
you travel, and you will also need a valid, unexpired visa to reenter
the U.S. (unless you are traveling to Canada, Mexico or contiguous
islands for less than 30 days, in which case this requirement is
waived.) Also keep in mind that you may need visas to enter the
country where you are planning to travel if it is not your home
country.
Checklist for Travel During Breaks
3 months prior to travel:
- Check into the necessity of obtaining a visa to enter the country/countries
where you plan to travel;
- Make sure your passport will be unexpired throughout your travels,
or plan to have it renewed in your home country;
- Check the expiration date on your visa and, if necessary, make
an appointment at the U.S. Consulate or Embassy where you will
be traveling to apply for renewal of the visa - for some of you
the visa renewal process may be time- consuming given the extended
security checks by the U.S. government. Before you travel, make
every effort to find out what the procedures are at the U.S. Consulate
or Embassy in your country to ascertain whether you will have
enough time to complete the process;
- Make your travel arrangements - if you are subject to Special Registration regulations, be sure that you are flying out of an airport which
is approved for Special Registration departure.
1 month prior to travel:
- Complete a Departure Form (found here) and return it to ISSS;
- Have a staff member sign your I-20 or DS-2019 - do NOT wait
until the last minute to have this completed as staff members
are not always available immediately;
- Obtain a certified copy of your JMU transcript verifying your
continued full-time attendance, especially if you will be renewing
your visa;
- Obtain a statement from JMU's University Business Office verifying
your ability to support your studies financially, especially if
you will be renewing your visa.
Challenges of Traveling To and From Dulles Airport
Travelling from Harrisonburg to Dulles Airport and vice versa can be more challenging than anticipated. Make sure that you read this document!
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