Students
Your I-20/DS-2019 Visa Document must have a valid travel signature for you to re-enter the U.S. after travel. The signature verifies that you are maintaining F-1/J-1 status.
STEP 1: Check the Validity of the Travel Signature
Look at Page 2 of your I-20 or Page 1 of your DS-2019, verify if you have a valid travel signature.
- F-1/J-1 Enrolled Students: The travel signature is valid for one year.
- F-1 OPT and F-1 STEM: a travel signature is valid for 6 months.
- J-1 Academic Training: travel signature is valid for one year, or duration of academic training (whichever is earlier)
If your travel signature is not valid or if you don’t have a travel signature. You will need to request it.
STEP 2: Request a Travel Signature
- Complete the Student Travel Signature I-20/DS-2019 Request Form
- Upload using the Student Upload Tool
- Processing Time: 10 Business Days.
- Request your travel signature to allow for processing time.
STEP 3: Receive Your New Visa Document with Travel Signature
- A new I-20 or DS-2019 with travel signature will be issued within the processing time.
- Your new I-20 or DS-2019 will be sent to you electronically through DocuSign.
- You will receive an email message with the DocuSign link to retrieve your electronic I-20 or DS-2019.
- You will need to print, sign and carry a hard copy of your I-20 or DS-2019. This is now your newest I-20 or DS-2019.
- Always keep your previous visa documents for your records. Do not throw them away.
Scholars
A travel signature is required on your DS-2019 visa document to re-enter the U.S. after international travel. The signature from the International Center verifies that you are maintaining J-1 status in the U.S.
STEP 1: Check the Validity of the Travel Signature
Look at Page 1 of your DS-2019, verify if you have a valid travel signature.
- J-1 Scholars and J-2 Dependents: The travel signature is valid for one year
STEP 2: Request a Travel Signature
- Fill out the Scholar Travel Form and submit it to internationalscholar@uci.edu
- After review of your request, a digitally signed DS-2019 document for you and any J-2 dependents, will be electronically sent to you via DocuSign
Processing time: 5 business days
STEP 3: Receive Your New Visa Document with Travel Signature
- Electronic DS-2019 Document Issuance: You will receive a digitally signed DS-2019 document for you and any J-2 dependents
- The DS-2019 document will be sent to you via DocuSign
- You must print a paper form DS-2019 document and sign with a pen
- Paper form DS-2019 document is required for visa renewal at a U.S. Consulate/Embassy post abroad, and for re-entry to the U.S.