Travel Information

Review this entire page and contact iss@lesley.edu with questions.

• Travel within US only

  For travel within the US by airplane, or long train or bus journey, have your passport and Form I-20 (and Employment Authorization Document, when applicable) in case you find yourself in a situation where you may need to present them to an official. For travel close to home, it is advisable to have PDF copies of above documentation on your cell phone.

• Obtain an I-20 travel signature 2 weeks before travel

  By completing a Travel Signature Request Form from the International Student Forms page.   

  You always need an I-20 with a recent travel signature from the Lesley International Student Advisor, a valid passport (valid at least six months beyond the I-20 program end date or beyond the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) for those on OPT or STEM) and a valid multiple-entry F-1 visa (even if you’re on OPT). 

• Do not re-enter the US on tourist status

  If you are maintaining legal F-1 or OPT/STEM status, do not re-enter on B1/B2 or WB/WT statuses, even if you are re-entering during school vacation periods. Doing so will automatically cancel your legal F-1 status and any on campus or off campus OPT or CPT work eligibility.  

• If you have a pending petition with USCIS

  If you have a pending non-immigrant petition with USCIS, consult with your immigration attorney before obtaining an I-20 travel signature AND before any travel outside of the US.  

• Check travel advisories and alerts before travel

  Check travel advisories/alerts. Best to be prepared and always check in advance of travel. Visit that country’s US website Embassy in the US to see if you require a visa to enter their country. This even includes travel to Canada or Mexico.

• Check the CDC website

  Check the CDC website before travel for up-to-date, country-specific COVID and health requirements. 

• Travel to Canada

  Visit this website and answer a few simple questions to find out what you will need to enter Canada. If you have questions, contact the Canadian Consulate in New York.  

• Travel within US territories

  Travel to Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, or the Northern Mariana Islands. No valid visa is needed to enter these territories. But you still need your Form I-20 with a recent International Student Advisor travel signature, an unexpired Form I-94, and passport with a multiple-entry F-1 visa. Passports must be valid for six months beyond the I-20 program end date for current students or beyond the Employment Authorization Document expiration if you are on OPT or STEM. Contact iss@lesley.edu before any travel to contiguous territories for advice.

• Secondary inspection at the port of entry

  It is important that you have all your documents in order at the port of entry to avoid being asked to go for secondary inspection. But please note that the Customs & Border Protection (CBP) officers have the right to do random secondary inspections. Be polite and honest during this process. They are doing this on many travelers, so the process can often take a few hours. Under certain circumstances, they may issue you a Form I-515. If this happens, contact iss@lesley.edu immediately upon completing your entry process for additional follow-up, or contact us if you are ever in doubt if all was processed properly.  

  • Department of State information: What is Secondary Inspection? | Study in the States (dhs.gov).
  • Know your rights: This lists your rights, which differ between US citizens and non-immigrants.
• Cannabis is still a federal offense

  Immigration officials are known to ask individuals if they have ever possessed or used marijuana (cannabis). If they answer yes, they can be found inadmissible, denied entry into the US, or have their application for lawful status or naturalization denied. It will not matter if marijuana is permitted in the US state that you reside. Federal law always overrides state law. In addition, please note that despite changes to Massachusetts law, the use, possession, purchase, processing, and manufacturing of marijuana – including medical marijuana – remain prohibited under federal law and, thus, are prohibited everywhere on Lesley’s campus. Please familiarize yourself with Lesley’s Drugs and Alcohol Policy, and the Smoke-Free Environment Policy.

• Check your I-94 within 48 hours of each entry to the US

  This is a very important step. An explanation of the I-94 is on the Immigration Documents page of our site, including instructions on how to download a copy for your review. 

  Form I-515A, “Notice to Student or Exchange Visitor,” is issued at the port of entry to F-1 students with incomplete port of entry paperwork. It is critical that you contact iss@lesley.edu immediately upon re-entering if issued this document or if you encountered any other problems at the port of entry. The International Student Advisor has a very limited timeline to resolve the situation.

• Form I-515A, “Notice to Student or Exchange Visitor”

  The Form I-515A is issued at the port of entry to F-1 students with incomplete port of entry paperwork. It is critical that you contact iss@lesley.edu immediately upon re-entering if issued this document or if you encountered any other problems at the port of entry. The International Student Advisor has a very limited timeline to resolve the situation.