Travel Information for International Students
If you plan to travel outside the United States, and even within it, please be sure to review the list of documents that you should carry with you. Should you have any questions about how immigration policies may impact your travel, please reach out to ISSS and meet with an ISSS advisor to review your situation prior to travel.
When re-entering the U.S., ISSS always recommends carrying the following documents with you (and not in your checked luggage):
- Passport, with expiration date at least 6 months into the future from intended date of entry.
- Valid & unexpired visa for your intended entry purpose (if needed—and most of you need a visa).
- I-20 or DS-2019, with a valid travel signature. (Note: Validity period is within one year for actively enrolled students and six months for alumni on OPT or STEM OPT.)
- I-94 record (not travel history), most recent version; follow instructions at Confirm Your Status.
- Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card (for alumni on OPT or STEM OPT).
- Middlebury contact phone numbers:
- ISSS (802-443-5858 in Vermont or 831-647-3586 in California).
- Middlebury’s Public Safety non-emergency number (802-443-5133), in case you need to request ISSS assistance outside of business hours, including during weekends and holidays.
Optional items:
- Current transcript or class schedule (if applicable; unofficial copy is sufficient).
- I-901 SEVIS fee payment receipt; follow instructions at SEVIS I-901 Fee Payment.
- Financial documents (bank statement, financial aid letter, salary/contract letter, etc.)
Whenever you apply to enter the United States, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) determines your eligibility for entry. Be prepared to answer questions about your purpose while in the U.S. CBP has authority to ask many questions, including requesting access to your phone or other electronic devices. Read about your rights at: Immigrants’ Rights | American Civil Liberties Union