Important Travel Reminders

ISSS Update: Important Travel Reminders

As many of you prepare to travel internationally during the winter break and holiday season, we at Middlebury International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) write to wish you well and provide important travel reminders. 

As always, ISSS is attentively monitoring immigration-related regulations, policies, and practices so that we can best advise you while you pursue your Middlebury education, post-Middlebury employment, or your scholarly activities or employment at Middlebury. Whenever there is a change of the U.S. president and their administration, it is common for the new president to take executive actions, some of which can be enacted immediately. It is understandable that you may have questions or concerns about re-entering the United States in late January and beyond. Yet, it is not possible for ISSS to predict when or what type of executive actions will be enacted on or following the presidential inauguration on January 20, 2025. However, the ISSS team is committed to supporting you and providing timely and accurate information and guidance. We will update our ISSS travel updates webpage, if and when necessary. 

Travel Reminders: When re-entering the United States, ISSS always recommends carrying the following documents with you (and not in your checked luggage): 

1. Passport, with expiration date at least 6 months into the future from intended date of entry.
2. Valid/unexpired visa for your intended entry purpose (if needed—and most of you need a visa).
3. I-20 or DS-2019 (if in F-1 or J-1 status), with a valid travel signature. (Note: Validity period is within one year for actively enrolled students and scholars, and six months for alumni on OPT or STEM OPT.)
4. I-94 record (not travel history), most recent version.
5. Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card, if applicable.
6. Middlebury contact phone numbers:
   • ISSS: 802-443-5858 (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time), and
   • Public Safety: 802-443-5133 (for times outside those business hours).

Optional items:

• Current transcript (if applicable; unofficial copy is sufficient).
• I-901 SEVIS fee payment receipt (for those in F-1 or J-1 status).
• Financial documents (bank statement, 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 United States. CBP has authority to ask many questions, including requesting access to your phone or other electronic devices. Read about your rights at: ACLU - Know Your Rights. 

ISSS will continue to advise, advocate for, and support you during your time with Middlebury. If there are immigration-related changes that may affect you or your status, we will alert you when we have confirmed updates to share. Please bookmark the ISSS travel updates page for the most up-to-date information.

If you have questions or concerns about your specific circumstances, please contact us at isss@middlebury.edu and/or arrange an appointment with an advisor through Calendly.