This message was originally sent to international students and scholars by email on 12/2/2024
Dear International Huskies,
The holiday season is approaching, which is a busy time for international travel. Before deciding whether to travel internationally, please read the following detailed information carefully. More than ever, it is important to follow all international travel procedures and meet with your ISSS Advisor prior to international travel if your proposed trip falls outside of approved travel policy. We encourage you to monitor the CISS website for up-to-date information.
Report Your Travel
You must report your travel to ISSS every time you depart the U.S. Complete a Travel Information Record in the ISSS Portal before you leave the U.S. All students must return to UConn by the start of Spring term. We recommend returning to campus no later than January 19, 2025, so that you have time to move back into your housing and get settled prior to the first day of classes.
Valid Travel Signature
All students and scholars need a valid travel signature before you depart the U.S. The “Travel Endorsement” section on page 2 of your Form I-20 for F-1 students or the “Travel Validation” space on page 1 of your Form DS-2019 for J-1 visa holders should contain a signature from our office, not more than one year old as of the date of your intended return. If you need a travel signature this fall, see the options below.
All Students/ All Campuses – 1) Complete a Travel Information Record in the ISSS Portal. 2) Download and print the updated I-20/DS-2019 with travel signature and sign page one or pick up your documents at your campus ISSS before departing the U.S.
Valid Visa Stamp
You must have a valid visa stamp in your passport to enter the U.S.* (with possible exception for short trips to Canada, Mexico, or adjacent islands**). If your visa stamp has expired or will expire before your planned return to the U.S., you must make a non-immigrant visa appointment at a U.S. Consulate. If you need a new visa stamp, we recommend that you reconsider your travel during winter break as there may not be enough time to secure your visa and return in time for the start of spring term. Consider traveling over summer break to make an appointment with the U.S. Consulate in your home country. Be aware that U.S. Consulates are busy this time of year and will be closed for U.S. and local holidays. As always, the issuance of visa stamps is at the discretion of the Consular Officers.
*Canadian citizens are exempt from the visa requirement. ** Please contact your ISSS advisor if you have questions about automatic visa revalidation.
Prepare for Reentry to U.S.
Every time you travel abroad and reenter the U.S. the CBP officers at the port of entry will evaluate your request to reenter the U.S. as an F-1 or J-1 visa holder. Be sure to travel with all the documentation we recommend in our Travel Advisory (passport, visa, paper copy of form I-20 with travel signature for F-1 visa holders, paper copy of form DS-2019 with travel signature for J-1 visa holders, proof of funding, official UConn transcript, class schedule for spring term, proof of teaching or research assistantship, proof of participation in UConn athletics, proof of employment or invitation to UConn for J-1 scholars). Don’t give the port of entry officers any opportunity to question your legitimacy as a UConn student. This means arriving on-time for the start of the semester and traveling with all your required documentation. This means traveling only during vacation periods, not when school is in session. When possible, try to schedule your flight to arrive Monday – Friday from 7:00 am – 4:00 pm, this way the ISSS will be open should the CBP officer call. If you arrive after hours and the CBP wants to call the ISSS they should call the UConn Police at 860-486-4800
Restrictions on Working Abroad
As a reminder, F-1 and J-1 students are not permitted to engage in remote employment while outside of Connecticut, this includes GA or TA work performed from abroad. Students engaged in student labor on-campus employment may not continue working from abroad when traveling home. Graduate Assistants appointed as RAs or TAs should plan to use time off and may not perform any GA duties unless their department has secured approval of an exception in advance from graduatedean@uconn.edu and potentially from UConn’s Export Control officer as well.
Download the myUConn App and Connect with ISSS
Follow these instructions to download the myUConn app and “Opt In” to communications from International Student and Scholar Services. If there are any urgent notifications we need to communicate, ISSS will push a notification through myUConn with instructions on how to get more information or what steps you need to take.
Thank you for reading this important information. If you have travel or visa-related concerns or questions after reviewing the above information, please email international@uconn.edu and an advisor will be in touch with you.
We wish you a safe and warm winter season.
Best regards,
Arthur
___________
Arthur Galinat
Director, International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS)
UConn Global Affairs
Center for International Student & Scholars (CISS)
2019 Hillside Rd., U-1083
STORRS, CT 06269-1083
PHONE: 860.486.3855 | FAX: 860.486.5800
EMAIL: arthur.galinat@uconn.edu | http://isss.uconn.edu
For more information, contact: CISS at international@uconn.edu
