Helpful Hints for Travel

Travel Outside the U.S.

1. Have your I-20 or DS-2019 form signed on page 3 by the International Student Services
   • please ask for this at least 2 weeks before you plan to travel
   • your travel signature should be no older than 6 months for F-1 students or 1 year for J-1 students
   • no appointment is needed to request a travel signature; just drop off your I-20 or DS-2019 form to the International Student Services. You will receive an e-mail when your document is ready to be picked up.
2. Check your F-1 or J-1 visa before leaving. If expired:
   • allow extra time for visa processing if your current visa is expired. Remember that there is never a guarantee that a visa will be issued a second time or that a visa will be issued after a change of status is approved. There is no way to completely eliminate the risk of a visa refusal.
   • check the web site of the U.S. consulate/embassy you wish to visit for updated information on applications (for example, many consulates are now requiring interviews instead of accepting applications by mail)
3. Be sure your passport is valid prior to travel and if expired:
   • allow extra processing time if you need to extend your passport
   • check the web site of your home country appropriate government office for application information
4. Carry with you the following documents:
   • passport
   • I-20 or DS-2019 form. If you have more than one form, carry all forms.
   • For F-1 or J-1 visa application, in addition to what is mentioned above, please carry:
     • official transcript (ask at the Registrar's several weeks in advance of needing this)
     • Bursar receipts, scholarship letter, or other proof of financial support
     • copies of current semester registration and pre-registration for next semester
     • school ID card with current semester sticker
     • support letter from the International Student Services if you need to reapply for a visa or renew your passport, or for international currency exchange

Travel inside U.S.

• Special note for travel within the U.S.: be sure to carry with you identifying documents and proof of school enrollment even when traveling within the U.S.

For more help

For more assistance, please make an appointment to speak with an advisor at the International Student Services. Phone number: (203)576-4395. Garden Level of Library, room G-133. Our fax number is (203)576-4461 and we may also be reached by e-mail at internationaloffice@bridgeport.edu.

If you have an emergency situation after business hours (such as being detained at an airport) and need immediate help, please call the Campus Security Office at (203)576-4911 and request that the Director of International Student Services be called at home. If help can wait until the next business day (such as a visa refusal), please call the International Student Services between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday.