Travel

Travel Signatures

All international students, Exchange Visitors, and their dependents who were issued an immigration document by CSU are required to get a travel signature by an International Advisor before they travel outside of the US. Travel signatures are valid for 12 months for active students and 6 months for students using their OPT authorization.

Failure to have a travel signature can result in complications such as receiving an I-515 or being denied entry to the US.

Keep a copy of the ISSS Travel Card for your records while you travel.

Requesting Your Travel Signature

If your CSU eID is still active, you can log into your WorldRams account by clicking the link below:

Travel Signature Request eForm

However, if it has been more than 12 months since you graduated from CSU it is likely that your eID has expired and we will need you to sign into your WorldRams account through the Limited Access Portal in the link below:

  • Step 1: Get your PIN
    • E-mail me my Limited Access PIN
    • You will receive an email with your PIN – when you click the link below to access the form it will ask you for your University Identification Number. This is your CSU Student ID number that begins with an 8.
  • Step 2: Log into the WorldRams Limited Access Portal

If you save or remember this PIN, you will only need to do this process once to access your WorldRams Portal and can use the same PIN to log in to your account in the future.

Receiving Your Updated Document with Travel Signature

I-20 Travel Signatures

Our office will email you the updated document with travel signature to the email address that is listed in your SEVIS record. If you are a student in an active academic program, this will be your CSU account. If you are on OPT, this is most likely the non-CSU email account you list in your OPT Reporting Form.

Student on OPT can also request their travel signature through the OPT Reporting eForm.

Please provide yourself enough time before you return to the US to request your updated document to allow for our office’s processing time.

DS-2019 Travel Signatures

Unfortunately, our office is unable to email DS-2019s. If you have a J Visa and need a travel signature on your DS-2019, please set up an appointment with an advisor or be prepared to pick up your DS-2019 from Laurel Hall after you submit the Travel Signature Request eform.

Once your document has been created and is ready, you will receive an email from our office so you can pick it up.

Processing Time

The average processing time for travel signatures can be 2-3 business days, with additional time needed at high volume times (such as the end of the semester, December and May).

Please be advised that our office is busiest at the beginning of each semester and around the holidays. Please plan ahead and provide yourself at least 7-10 business days before you travel to get your travel signature so that you have it before you leave.

Submit the eForm request and then email our office to let us know about your situation and if there is any urgency to receiving your new document.

The updated I-20 with travel signature will be emailed to you as soon as possible.

If you are requesting a DS-2019 travel signature, you may need to be prepared to set up express shipping to receive your document before your return trip to the US. The email notifying you that your document is ready will include information on how to set up shipping.

  • A valid I-20 or DS-2019 with a travel signature
  • Passport that is valid for more than 6 months upon your return to the US
  • A valid F-1 or J-1 visa
  • If on OPT:
    • Required – Your current EAD card
    • Optional – A letter from your employer confirming your employment and approved vacation days

Please check our COVID-19 FAQs regarding travel for any additional documentation you may need to provide.

Please consider how filing an I-140 immigrant petition may affect your ability to re-enter the U.S. in your current status before travel.

J-1 Scholars

J-1 scholars should get a travel signature before traveling out of the U.S. Please plan to meet with an immigration advisor in person to have your DS-2019 endorsed for travel.

H-1 B Scholars

H-1B scholars traveling out of the U.S. for the first time since changing status to H-1B should plan on scheduling a visa appointment.  Traveler should carry original H-1B approval notice, a copy of the petition, and recent pay statements.

TN Status Holders

Individuals in TN status should consider whether they need to extend their I-94 upon re-entry.  Traveler should carry a copy of your employment letter and an updated letter from host department confirming the TN occupation in which you work.

Students and scholars who will be leaving the US to study or perform research abroad need to complete an Out of Country Request and make sure that their immigration document has a valid travel signature for their scheduled return.

The Departure eForm is not intended for temporary travel.

The Departure eForm informs our office that you no longer need your immigration record at CSU which can result in its completion, deactivation, transfer, or termination. Please review the Departure eForm page for more information.