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⇒ Student & Scholar Advising ⇒ Faculty, Staff, & Visitors ⇒ J-1 Scholars ⇒ Travel Outside the US

Travel Outside the US

If you plan to travel outside the US during your J1- scholar program, you (and any J-2 dependents) must have a valid travel signature on your Form DS-2019 in order to re-enter the United States.

Request travel signature via iStart at least two weeks prior to travel.  Your request must be approved by your host academic department prior to OIS advisor signature.  You will receive an email with further instructions after your request is approved.

Be sure to check that your passport, visa, and DS-2019 are valid and will not expire while you are out of the country.  We recommend that your passport be valid at least 6 months into the future.  In some cases, you may need a new J-1 visa stamp in your passport before returning to the US.

Travel outside the US includes Canada and Mexico.  If you are traveling to a country other than your home country, you may need a visitor’s visa.  To find out, visit that country’s embassy website at Foreign Embassies of Washington, D.C. and search for the Consular Section nearest you.

Be advised that the status of J-2 dependents is tied to your J-1 status.  If J-2 dependents will be traveling, their DS-2019 forms will be signed at the same time as the J-1.  If J-2 dependents will not be traveling with the J-1, and the J-1 will be outside the US for more than 30 days, please contact a scholar advisor at OIS.