Travel and Re-entry
Whenever you leave the US be sure you have all the documents you will need to re-enter. Have your Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Immigrant (F-1) student status – for academic and language student form, also known as the I-20 form endorsed by the international-student advisor or responsible officer on your campus. Verify that the information on your Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Immigrant (F-1) student status – for academic and language student form, also known as the I-20 form is still accurate.
Check your US entry visa (which is stamped in your passport) to be sure that it is still valid for additional entries. If it is not, you will have to get a new entry visa from a US embassy or consulate while you are abroad. (Special circumstances apply if you are traveling to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean and will not be gone for more than 31 days. Consult your foreign-student advisor.)
When you apply for a new entry visa, the visa officer at the US Consulate will ask to see updated financial documentation. Contact the consulate in advance to find out how long it will take to obtain a visa. If you are traveling to a country other than your home country, you may need an entry visa and should contact that country’s nearest embassy or consulate for information.