International Travel Request Form
Please submit the international travel form to request a travel endorsement on page 2 of your I-20 : F1 International Travel Request Form.
As soon as you complete the form, you will be in the queue for processing. Processing Time for International Travel Requests: 7-10 business days.
You are not required to have the travel endorsement to depart the U.S.A. It is for re-entry use.
General International Travel Information
- To travel internationally, students must request a travel endorsement on their I-20.
- Travel endorsement is valid for 12 months from the date of issue. If you already have a valid travel endorsement, no new request is needed.
- For more information, please review Traveling on the F1-Student Handbook and the international travel instructions and recommendations below.
International Travel Instructions & Recommendations
For students wishing to travel internationally, we recommend that you travel outside of required class times whenever possible. If you travel internationally while school is in session, there is no guarantee that you will be able to attend remotely. For these reasons, traveling outside of school terms (such as during annual vacation or winter break) is generally a much safer option. For more information regarding International Travel, please visit the resources mentioned below.
Onsite Attendance Requirements
As a part of the full course load requirement, international students are required by the regulations to maintain onsite attendance. Now, you may have noticed that some of your on-campus courses now have a Zoom link in them, but that does not mean that it is now acceptable to attend remotely- the regulations surrounding onsite attendance have not changed, and SEVP has returned to a strict interpretation of attendance requirements as we continue to move forward after a brief respite during COVID-era accommodations. For this reason, the Department of International Affairs strongly advises all international students to physically attend each of your onsite courses and limit your international travel when school is in session.
Essential Travel Documents
Required documents:
- Valid Passport
- Valid Visa
- Form I-20 w/ Travel Endorsement
Optional Documents:
Proof of Financials, Acceptance Letter, Enrollment Verification Letter.
Note: Please submit the international travel request form and enrollment verification letter request through the University Forms webpage (available here). Standard processing is 7-10 business days, so please plan accordingly. After processing, the digital Form I-20 with Travel Endorsement (on page 2 of the I-20) will be emailed to your WU email. Please be sure to print, sign and date it.
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When Returning to the U.S.
- Carry All Documents: Keep all relevant travel documents with you—do not place them in checked luggage.
- Increased Scrutiny: Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may search electronic devices and request social media information. Ensure your devices and accounts are free of content that could raise concerns.
- Inform International Affairs: Notify International Affairs of your return date, including any changes, to assist you if needed during secondary questioning.
- Arrival Timing: Schedule your arrival during university business hours if possible. CBP may need to contact a Designated School Official (DSO).
- Business Hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00am-7:00pm
- DSO Contact: If CBP requests to speak to a DSO, provide the International Affairs Department’s number: +1 (949) 825-5999 extension #2 or email intlservices@westcliff.edu. Do not refer them to a specific advisor.
- Limit Travel: Avoid extended international trips during the school term. Trips longer than two weeks may increase scrutiny, including possible detainment or refusal of entry.
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Attendance
- Attendance is critical to your academic success.
- Notify your professor in advance of any absence. Note that professors have the discretion to excuse absences.
- Missing class may result in lost credit for activities and a potential reduction in your final grade.
- Be aware that CBP may inquire about your attendance record when you return to the U.S.
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Emergency Contacts
International Affairs Department: +1 (949) 825-5999 extension #2
International Services: intlservices@westcliff.edu. (Recommended Email Subject Line: ISSUE AT BORDER) |
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