CISS

Travel Requirements

If you plan to travel outside of the U.S. while you are a student at Bentley University and re-enter the U.S. in student status, you will need to be prepared to present the following documents to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer:

  1. Passport (valid for at least 6 months into the future)
  2. Valid F-1/J-1 visa*    
  3. Most recent Form I-20/DS2019 (with a valid travel signature)
  4. Proof of financial support
  5. Employment Authorization Document (EAD)-If you are authorized for OPT/STEM OPT

*Citizens of Canada or the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda do not need an F-1/J-1 visa to enter the U.S.  Admission to the U.S. in valid status is granted at the port of entry based on the student’s valid immigration document.

Form I-515

If you forgot to bring your Form I-20/DS-2019 or you do not have a valid travel signature, you may be issued a Form I-515A "Notice to Student or Exchange Visitor" which allows temporary admission to the U.S. for up to 30 days.  If you receive a Form I-515A, you must:

  • Make an appointment to meet with a CISS Advisor immediately upon your arrival
  • Submit a new Form I-20 with a valid travel signature to USCIS

NOTE:   If you receive a Form I-515A and fail to obtain a new Form I-20/DS-2019 and submit it to the U.S. government, it could result in the termination of your immigration status. 

If the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer is not able to verify your immigration status or if you do not have all of the required immigration documents, you may be sent to "secondary inspection."  You will be directed to a room where you will need to wait to speak with a CBP officer who will probe more deeply into your case.  

In some cases, this may cause delays in your travel plans.  If you are delayed, remain calm, do not panic, and answer any questions to the best of your ability. Remember to be respectful when speaking to the officer(s). Sometimes, the officer will request to speak with a Designated School Official/DSO (a CISS staff member). They may also contact Bentley Police is (781) 891-2201, who will notify the CISS that an immigration officer is requesting further information.

Travel Signatures

If you plan to travel outside the U.S. and re-enter in F-1 or J-1 student status, you must have a valid travel signature on your Form I-20/Form DS-2019. The travel signature is located on page 2 of Form I-20 and in the lower left corner of Form DS-2019.

  • For F-1 current students, each travel signature is valid for 12 months
  • For F-1 students on OPT/STEM OPT, each travel signature is valid for 6 months
  • For J-1 students, each travel signature is valid for the period noted on the form.

There are two ways that you can obtain a travel signature:

  • In-Person at CISS: You can bring your most recent Form I-20 printed out and signed to CISS to request a travel signature.  CISS is located in the Student Center Suite 310, and is open Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm. During the summer months, CISS is open Monday - Thursday, 8:00am - 5:30pm.
  • Submit a Form I-20/DS-2019 Request Form: If you are unable to come to campus, we can issue you a new form with a travel signature.  You can do this by submitting a Form I-20/DS-2019 Request Form.  A new form with a travel signature will be prepared and sent to you by email.  Once you receive the new form you must review it, print it out, and sign it.  Remember to keep copies of all of your previous forms and to use your most recent form for travel and any applications. 

If you need a travel signature we recommend that you come to CISS for a signature or request a new form with a travel signature at least 1-2 weeks before your travel date.  Please keep in mind that CISS is closed during major holiday breaks. 

If You Forgot to Get Your Form Signed: If you forgot to get your form signed, or if your travel plans do not allow enough time for you to receive a travel signature from CISS before you leave the U.S., you can submit a request form to receive a new form with a travel signature electronically. 

If you try to re-enter the U.S. without a valid travel signature, a Customs and Border Protection officer at the Port of Entry (airport or land border) may issue you a Form I-515A. You may also proactively request this form. This form allows you temporary admission to the U.S. for 30 days, during which time you must send updated documentation to USCIS to extend your status. On rare occasions, you may be denied entry to the U.S. While this is not common, you must understand this risk.

Immigration-Related Emergencies:  There may be rare circumstances when you need immediate immigration assistance. These circumstances may include loss of your passport or other important immigration documents, a visit by a government official at home or on campus, detention at a U.S. port of entry, or threat of deportation or removal. 

If you are detained, you should refrain from signing any documents and request to call Bentley University. Bentley’s campus police is open 24 hours per day, seven days per week, year-round, and will contact a CISS Advisor if any immigration-related emergencies are reported.

Michael A. Callahan Police Station
Emergency Line: 781.891.3131
Business Phone: 781.891.2201

Please note that forgetting to have your form signed for travel is not considered an immigration emergency. 

Duration of Status & Visa Renewal

F-1 & J-1 students are admitted to the U.S. for "duration of status." This means that you are permitted to remain in the U.S. in your current status as long as you hold a valid I-20 or DS-2019, and are otherwise following the regulations and meeting the requirements of your program.

If you maintain F-1/J-1 student status and have a valid I-20 or DS-2019, you may remain in the United States after your F-1/J-1 visa has expired. However, if you are returning home or traveling to a country where automatic visa re-validation does not occur (i.e. Canada, Mexico, or an adjacent island) you must renew your visa to re-enter the United States. Visit the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs website to learn more about how to apply for a visa. The process for applying for visa renewal is similar to when you first obtained your visa. An interview may or may not be required depending on your consular post. Requirements for visa renewal are consulate-specific, but generally, you will need to fill out a DS-160 application form, provide accompanying documentation and fees, and present them to the consular post for review. We recommend obtaining an enrollment verification or status letter from the Registrar's office to prove your continued enrollment, an updated I-20 or DS-2019 with a travel signature from the CISS, as well as updated financial documents to prove your ability to continue to pay tuition and living expenses.

Form I-94

Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record

Form I-94 is the Arrival/Departure Record created by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) upon a nonimmigrant visitor's entry to the U.S. It is important to check your Form I-94 after you enter the U.S. to ensure that you have entered the U.S. in the correct immigration status. 

You can find your Form I-94 and additional information on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website here.  You can also use these resources:

Family and Friends Visiting in the U.S.

Family members and friends who are planning to visit you in the U.S. for less than 6 months should apply for a tourist visa (B1/B2 visa). Applicants must apply for a B-1/B-2 visa from a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad. For more information on how to apply for a visa, please visit the U.S. Department of State website.

Bentley University cannot assist with the tourist visa process but below are some helpful documents that you can provide to your loved one as they prepare to apply for the visa to come visit you.

  • Enrollment Verification Letter (to confirm your student status)-To request an Enrollment Verification Letter, visit the Registrar's website
  • Bank statement or other financial support documentation-Visa applicants may be asked to provide proof of sufficient funds to support themselves while visiting the U.S. This could be a letter verifying employment or a bank statement. You may also need to submit Form I-134 Affidavit of Support if you will be funding your relative.
  • Proof of Intent to Return Home-Documents that support the intent to return home include evidence of a job, property, business ownership, immediate family members who remain back home, or any strong ties to their home country. Copies of the return airline ticket or reservation will also be helpful.
  • Support Letter (from you)-Invitation letters are not required for tourist visas. However, you may choose to write a statement in support of your friend or family member's plan to visit you. Your letter may specify the duration of the visitor's planned stay in the United States and the purpose of the visit (for example, if the visa applicant is traveling to the U.S. to attend your commencement ceremonies). 

NOTE:  Please note that according to guidance from the Department of State, invitation letters are not necessary for issuing visitor visas. The CISS does not issue invitation letters,   If you choose to provide a letter of support you may download the CISS Invitation Letter template for guidance.

  • Commencement Information (for graduating students)-Please visit Bentley's commencement website for further information about dates and details.