If you are leaving the United States of America (USA), remember that you must have a valid travel document (SEVIS form I-20), visa and passport before re-entering.  Your SEVIS form I-20 must be signed by the ISSO  - DSO before you leave the country (the signature is a travel validation by the DSO of the student's visa status).  It may be desirable to have a current CSUDH "Letter of Standing."                                    

You must complete the following steps in order to leave and re-enter the U.S.A.

• Step 1: Check your passport to see if the U.S. visa stamp will be valid on the date you intend to re-enter the U.S.A.  If it is not, you will have to plan on going to the American Embassy in your home country of citizenship to renew your F-1 student visa.

This applies when visiting a country other than  your home country of citizenship like Canada or Mexico.  You may be traveling "at risk" of not returning to the USA if you feel you will be denied a new visa stamp.  The ISSO cannot change a decision made by an American Embassy Official (their decision is final).

• Step 2: Make an appointment with the ISSO to have your SEVIS form I-20 signed on page 3 by the DSO.   This process only takes a few minutes so turn your form I-20 in early (submit it to the ISSO 3 weeks before you plan on leaving).

 
 
• Step 3: If your f-1 visa stamp has expired ask your DSO for a "Letter of Standing." You will also need to pay the mandatory on line $100 USCIS registration fee before renewing your visa at www.fmjfee.com/index.jhtml.       
• Step 4: Pick up your signed I-20 with travel validation on page 3 from the ISSO (allow 3 working days for completion).
• Step 5: Take a copy of your CSUDH transcript with you to show proof of your enrollment.
• Step 6: Upon returning to campus bring your passport to the ISSO so a copy of your new f-1 visa stamp and I-94 arrival/departure card can be placed in your file.

All F-1 visa students who leaves the USA for over five (5) months must receive a new SEVIS form I-20 for re-entry.  The maximum time the USCIS allows for travel abroad before returning to the USA is less than five (5) months leave with DSO travel validation written on 3 page of your SEVIS form I-20.

Foreign Students In Limbo Warning:

The US policy on renewal of the F-1 student visas has become frustrating for all attempting to travel to study in the USA.  It is not unusual for an international student to wait three months to receive an appointment with the American Embassy to renew their student visas.  Traveling "at risk" can mean not returning back to the USA.  It is a cold fact that in many countries one exit is the most a person can receive when seeking to visit the USA.