International Travel Document Checklist
Students in F-1 Visa Status
Students in F-1 visa status should obtain the following before leaving Portland:
- Form I-20 with travel signature (page 2), dated within one year for enrolled students or within six months for students on OPT. SEVP guidance allows for electronic issuance of the form I-20. Contact ISS for document updates and signatures.
- Valid Passport
- F-1 Visa valid for return dates (not applicable for Canadian passport holders)
- I-94 Admission Record (retrieve and print after each re-entry to the US)
- See "Additional Considerations" below for more information about the I-94 and its purpose
- Students on Post-Completion OPT must also carry a valid OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
- Recommended but not required:
- Current Students: Copy of course schedule (from IRIS) or a transcript
- OPT Students: Proof of employment (i.e. offer letter, pay stub, or employment ID)
Students & Language Scholars in J-1 Visa Status
Exchange students and language scholars in J-1 visa status should obtain the following before leaving Portland:
- Form DS-2019 with travel validation (page 1), dated within six month. Contact ISS for document updates and signatures.
- Valid Passport
- J-1 Visa valid for return dates (not applicable for Canadian passport holders)
- I-94 Admission Record (retrieve and print after each re-entry to the US)
- See "Additional Considerations" below for more information about the I-94 and its purpose
- (Recommended) Copy of your schedule (from IRIS) or a transcript
Domestic Travel Document Checklist (within the U.S.)
While travelling within the United States, students and scholars, must carry printed photocopies of the documents listed above as evidence of your nonimmigrant visa status in the US.
- As of May 2025, passengers flying in the US must present a REAL ID compliant identification. Visit the TSA site for a complete list of acceptable identification.
- Learn more about obtaining an Oregon State ID or Driver's Liscense for domestic US travel.
Additional Considerations
- Save scanned copies of your travel documents in a secure cloud storage folder so that you can reference them quickly in case or lost or stolen documents.
- Most Recent I-94 is the US arrival record for international visitors to the US. It is also the "evidence of registration document" and students must retrieve the I-94 after every international arrival, and retain easy access to this document when off-campus. The penalty for not carying an "evidence of registration" document can be severe.
- How to Retrieve and Check Your I-94 for Accuracy
- Section 264(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act requires "every alien" 18 years of age and over to "carry with him and have in his personal possession" their "evidence of registration document" (such as Form I-94, a valid employment authorization document, or permanent resident card) "at all times," including when traveling domestically or just going about daily life. INA 264(e) also establishes penalties for not carrying the registration document
Passports, Visas + Travel
- (Effective 9 June 2025) US Travel Ban suspends entry into the US for nationals of 19 countries. NAFSA provides links to the proclamation and some additional explanation here.
- Reed College FAQ on Federal Policy Changes Impacting Higher Education - see "Immigration + Travel Considerations" section
- Plan ahead to acquire visas that might be required by the countries you will travel to or through.
- The United States and most countries require travellers to possess a passport with validity dates at least six months into the future.
- Many of Reed’s international students travel to or through Canada at some point during their stay at Reed. Learn more about the process for obtaining a visa to visit Canada.
- Visit the US Customs and Border Protection site to learn what items are restricted from entering the US. The Don't Pack a Pest site helps travellers determine which items to avoid packing and what should be delcared upon arrival at Customs.
Resources for Travellers
- US Customs and Border Protection: Border Search of Electronic Devices at Ports of Entry
- American Civil Liberties Union Resources:
- NPR (29 March 2025): "What Green-Card and Visa Holders Should Know Before Traveling Abroad"