Walk-In Travel Signature Days

All students and scholars with F-1 or J-1 status require a travel signature from ISSS on their Form I-20/DS-2019 when returning to the U.S. from a trip overseas. If you are traveling outside the U.S. during the upcoming spring or summer break then you can take advantage of ISSS Walk-In Travel Signature Days to get your travel signature on the spot!

Follow these easy steps:

1) Verify if you need a new/updated travel signature

• F-1 Students, J-1 Students: Travel signatures are located on page 3 of the Form I-20 (bottom of the page) and page 1 of the form DS-2019 (bottom right corner). Once you have a travel signature, it is valid for 12 months, or your I-20/DS-2019 program end date, or the day you complete your academic work, whichever comes first. 

• F-1 Students on post-completion OPT: A travel signature is valid for 6 months, or your EAD expiration, or the date you stop working, whichever comes first. Please check with an ISSS advisor to determine the risks of traveling during post-completion OPT given your specific circumstance.

• J-1 Research Scholars, Professors, Specialists and Short Term Scholars: a travel signature is valid for 12 months (Research Scholars, Professors, Specialists) or 6 months (Short Term Scholars). If your DS-2019 program end date is reached before the travel signature expiration, or if you stop your Exchange Visitor activity at UConn, the travel signature will be no longer valid. Please note that even if your travel signature is still valid, there is still a Travel Document that you must complete (Out of Country Request Form - ISSS 229) – see topic “2” below.

• Your travel signature will no longer be valid after the program end date on your Form I-20, Form DS-2019 or EAD expiration. The program end date on your I-20/DS-2019 should always be consistent with your actual academic or exchange program completion date.

2) If you don’t have a travel signature from ISSS or if your travel signature will no longer be valid at the time of your expected reentry date to the U.S., bring the required documents below to ISSS during our walk-in hours:

• Original I-20/DS-2019 document- if you have multiple documents bring the one that was issued most recently.

• Full time enrollment verification with full enrollment history (for currently enrolled students only). Storrs campus students can request this in person at the Office of the Registrar. Regional Campus students may call or email the Storrs campus Office of the Registrar to request a copy (allow enough time to receive the enrollment verification by mail). http://www.registrar.uconn.edu/verification_students.htm

• Travel Signature Request Form - available in person at ISSS, or to download: http://global.uconn.edu/files/2014/01/ISSS_117_Travel_Advisory.pdf.   Students requesting their travel signature at the GBLC or Stamford campuses should bring the form with them, already completed.

• Passport

• All J-1 Visa Holders: Health Insurance Verification Form, completed for self and J-2 dependents (if any): http://global.uconn.edu/files/2013/12/ISSS_224_J-1_Medical_Insurance_Requirements.pdf

• For J-1 Visiting Scholars in the Research Scholar, Professor, Specialist or Short Term Scholar Categories: Out of Country Request Form - ISSS 229 is also required EVERY TIME you travel outside the U.S. If your travel signature is still valid, you must complete this form and submit it to ISSS (this form only). This form must be completed in advance by you and your hosting faculty supervisor. It is available in person at ISSS or to download: http://global.uconn.edu/files/2013/12/ISSS_229_J-1_Scholar_Out-of-Country_Request-rev.pdf

3) Bring your documents to meet with an ISSS DSO for a travel signature on the spot. Walk-In Travel Signatures will be held:

Storrs:

March 11th – March 14th

Monday: 9:00 to 11:30 am

Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday: 1:00 to 3:30

Friday: 9:00 to 11:30 am

ISSS, McMahon Hall, Main Level (above dining hall)

Downtown Hartford (GBLC) *:

April 11^th, 9:00 to 11:00 am 

Room 310

*For students with key card access to 3^rd floor

Stamford: 

April 15^th, 10 to 11:30 am 

Room 106

If your campus is not listed here, you can make an appointment with an ISSS advisor to get a travel signature when they visit your campus, or a campus close to your own. See www.isss.uconn.edu > Schedule an Appointment – Regional Campus.

For questions and links to all forms: http://global.uconn.edu/about/isss/forms/travel-questions/