• Find out if there are visa requirements for your destination in advance.
• Make sure your F-1/J-1 visa is unexpired for the date of return to the U.S.*
  • A valid F-1/J-1 visa is required only for those who are traveling internationally and intend to return to the U.S. 
  • If your visa is expired and you intend to travel internationally, you must renew your visa outside of the U.S. before returning.

• Passports should always be valid at least six months into the future for planned and unexpected travel. Should you need to renew your passport, do so well in advance to account for processing times at your home country's embassy within the U.S. Contact your home country’s embassy for more information. 
• Check travel advisories for your intended destination.
• Submit an International Travel Registration request to the Control Center of the International Services Portal.
• If your international travel is sponsored by a Jefferson college, program or unit: Register your travel with the Office of Study Away and Global Experiences at least 8 weeks prior to departure.
  Visit https://studyaway.jefferson.edu/_portal/ to review the requirements and programs, and access travel registration or program application materials. (This step does not apply to personal travel such as vacations or visiting family)

*Canadian citizens do not require a visa.

New F-1 & J-1 Students

New students coming from outside of the U.S. should submit flight information in the International Services Portal (arrival should be no more than 30 days before the program start date) and provide the outcome of their visa interview.

Please email your Designated School Official (DSO) if you have any questions,

Center City Students: [email protected]

East Falls Students: [email protected]

Please carefully review the information for international travel relevant to:

CBP decides whether to admit non-immigrants into the U.S. The facts and circumstances presented when you enter are the basis of this decision. OIS cannot guarantee that CBP will admit or re-admit you into the U.S. 

After arrival, check your I-94 admission record to ensure all information is correct, including your visa type and 'admit until' date (which should always indicate the duration of status, or "D/S").

If your status is incorrect, call the PHL airport's Deferred Inspection Site at 215-863-4247 or email [email protected] with scanned copies of your passport, biographic page, visa, admission stamp, boarding pass, and description of the issue.