You may use your I-20 to enter the U.S. as long as you are a continuing, full-time student and all the information on it remains the same. If you are unable to maintain full-time matriculation, or if the information on your I-20 changes, contact an advisor.
The travel signature on your Form I-20 is valid for a maximum of one year.
Be sure to meet with an Advisor if:
- Your travel authorization signature is more than 1 year old from when you plan to return to the U.S.
- Your I-20 or DS-2019 will expire while you are outside of the U.S. and you plan to return to study.
- Your passport has or is about to expire (passports must always be valid for at least six months into the future).
- You want to confirm if you need a new visa.
Necessary Documents for Re-Entry to the United States for F-1 Students:
- An unexpired passport valid at least six months into the future
- An unexpired I-20 with a travel signature less than one year old (signed by the DSO)
It is not unusual for a CBP officer to request a travel authorization signature more frequently than once 1 year. If you are someone who is often asked a lot of questions at the border, you will want to have a travel signature every 6 months. - An unexpired F-1 visa stamp valid for further entries into the United States
- Proof of full-time enrollment: your most recent TCNJ transcript from the Records and Registration Office at Green Hall 112- you can make a request in PAWS.
- Proof of financial ability, i.e., documentation verifying your funding source as indicated in Section 8 of your I-20; this may include personal or family bank statements, affidavits of support, or copies of your fellowship or scholarship letter
“Temporary Absence” and an Absence of more than 5 months:
A “temporary absence” for the purpose of readmission with an endorsed Form I-20 is defined as an absence of 5 months or less. You will be able to re-enter the U.S. on your current I-20 as long as the travel signature is still valid and you are continuing enrollment at TCNJ as a full-time student.
Once you exceed 5 months, TCNJ will be required to issue you a new I-20 with a new SEVIS ID number. You will need to submit all required documents for the new I-20 and pay the SEVIS Fee again fmjfee.com