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Visa & Travel

Quick Links

Travel & visitors.

Going home for the summer or planning a trip for spring break? Want to invite family members for a visit? You can find everything you need to know on traveling and reentering the US as an F-1 or J-1 student and helping family members come for a visit. And remember, the US government determines your and any family member's eligibility to enter the US. Be prepared and have the needed travel documents with you. 

Traveling to and from the US for NYU International Students

Get a new travel signature.

Getting a travel signature from an OGS advisor is easy. If the signature on your I-20 or DS-2019 will be more than a year old by the time you reenter the US, you need to get a new signature before you travel. For students on post-completion Optional Practical Training , the travel signature is only valid for six months. And remember, the US government determines your eligibility to enter the US. Be prepared and have the needed travel documents with you. Find out how to get a new travel signature .

International Visitors

You do not need any letter or document from the OGS to invite a family member as a B2 visitor. If you wish to invite family members, other than your spouse or child, to visit the United States for a short time on a B2 visitor visa, review the documentation that you need here . 

International Visa Requests for Graduation

International guests who plan to attend the Commencement ceremony may need to apply for a U.S. Visitor Visa (B-2).

Information about applying for a visa is available at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where the visa application will be made. Applications will need to show that the visit to the U.S. is temporary, that there are adequate finances to cover the trip, and that they intend to return to their home country (proof of ties such as job, family, property or other commitments).

Find out what supporting evidence you may need for your guest(s) .

Please note that family members from certain countries may be eligible to visit the U.S. for up to 90 days without obtaining a B-1/B-2 visa through the U.S. Department of State Visa Waiver Program .

I-94 Record

The I-94 is an official US government record of when you enter and depart the United States. Your I-94 record confirms what immigration status you entered the United States in, and the duration of time you can legally remain in the US.

• How to get, review and print your I-94 record
• How to Locate Your I-94 Record
• Instructions to Correct Problems with the I-94

Travel without Required Documents (Don’t do it!)

Didn’t have all your documents with you when you last entered the US as an international student? Received an I-515A from the officer at the immigration check? Find out what to do now if you received an I-515A at the border .

Visas for NYU Study Abroad

Studying abroad at another NYU location? Find out if you need a visa, how to get one, and what else you need to know by visiting this page .

Travel Monitor Program

Recent policy changes from the US federal government have made travel more difficult for some members of our community. The federal government has also adopted more rigorous policies on questioning non-US citizens at the border. As a result, non-US citizens may face extra scrutiny at the border.

In response to these changes, the NYU Immigrant Defense Initiative (IDI) and the NYU Office of Global Services (OGS) collaborated with NYU Departments of Public Safety and Information Technology to create the NYU Travel Monitor Program, which provides security and support for members of the community passing through US ports of entry. 

Find out what the NYU Travel Monitor Program is and how to use it .

Travel for International Student Alumni

Are you an international student on post-completion OPT or Academic Training? Traveling outside of the US soon and need to reenter the US without a problem? Avoid a long wait in the airport immigration office by having these needed documents with you. 

Learn about the documents you need to carry with you .

If you do not plan to use your post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) or your Academic Training, traveling outside of the US after graduation is not possible. Learn about traveling during the grace period .

Visa, Academic, & Status Changes

As an international student, US law requires you to notify the Office of Global Services if anything changes with your academic program or immigration status. 

Read on to find out about the most common changes and what you need to do in these circumstances.

Visa Changes

A) Change to F-1 or J-1 Status  |  If you are presently in the United States in a non-immigrant status (such as H-4, A-1, or L-2 status), you may be able to study in your current status. Find out if you can study at NYU under your current status.   You may, however, want or need to change to F-1 or J-1 status in order to complete your degree at NYU.  For more information visit this page .

B) Regain Your Status  |  Loss of status for an international student results in your immediate termination of eligibility for such immigration benefits as employment, extension, transfer, or travel signature recertification. Once out of status, you must take prompt action to get back into lawful status in order to regain eligibility for immigration benefits. Any delay in doing this could result in serious, possibly permanent immigration consequences for you.   In addition to using the Office of Global Services as a resource, we encourage you to consult with NYU's Immigrant Defense Initiative and with a qualified immigration attorney. OGS has an attorney list we could provide to you as a resource for further expert guidance.   For more information visit this page .

C) Renew Your US Visa |  If your visa has expired, you need to get a new visa from a US consulate or embassy outside of the US. You can’t apply for a new visa inside the US. Find out how to renew your visa and be prepared for the process .

D) Replace Lost Immigration Documents |  Please review here the guidelines to follow for Stolen or Lost Passport .

E) New Immigration Status |  Have you recently filed or been approved for a new immigration status and need to end your F-1 or J-1 record with NYU? Consult this page .

F) Effect of Arrest on Immigration Status |  Wondering what kind of effect an arrest could have on your visa for or legal status within the US? Consult this page .

Academic Changes

A) Register Part-Time: Reduced Course Load |  All F-1 and J-1 international students must register full-time every semester or receive permission from OGS for a reduced course load (RCL), which is anything less than full-time registration. 

You are eligible for a reduced course load if:

• It is your last semester before you graduate and you have fewer than 12 credits left to finish your degree or program.
• It is your first semester in the US , and your department recommends English-language courses in addition to your studies.
• You have a medical condition requiring you to take a leave of absence or a reduced course load. For permission to register less than full-time due to a medical reason, please follow the instructions for Medical Leave of Absence or Reduced Course Load .

Consult this page to learn how to apply.

B) Extend Your Study |  As an international student, you are granted a specific period of time to complete your degree requirements. You must complete your degree by the completion date listed on your I-20 or DS-2019. If you are unable to finish your degree requirements by that date, you must apply for a program extension before your current document expires.

C) Take a Leave of Absence |  Need to take a personal or medical leave of absence from your studies at NYU? As an international student, if you decide to take a leave of absence, withdraw from your program, or are given a suspension, you must contact the OGS immediately to discuss your immediate plans and any plans you may have to return. A personal or medical leave of absence can impact your eligibility for F-1 or J-1 benefits such as CPT , OPT , or Academic Training .  

Unless you have a medical condition that requires you to take a full or partial leave , if you will register for even one course during the Fall or Spring semester, you instead need to review how you can get permission to register for a reduced course load .

If you plan to take a leave of absence, review NYU's policy on Leave of Absence and Term/Total Withdrawals to learn more about things you should consider and understand before taking any leave.

Find all the details on how to take and return from a leave of absence depending on your situation:

• Personal Leave of Absence  |  This kind of leave includes military duty, or taking a leave for any other personal reason.  
• Medical Leave of Absence or Medical Reduced Course Load  |  This kind of leave or reduced course load is for any physical or mental health condition for which a health professional advises you to take a full or partial leave from your studies.
• Returning from a Personal Leave of Absence

D) Change Major or Degree |  Consult this page to learn how to apply.

E) Transfer out of NYU |  If you are an international student who wants to transfer from NYU to another school, you must request the OGS to release your SEVIS record to your new institution. Consult this page to learn how to apply.

NOTE: Due to a high volume of requests, please allow for 15 business days for all e-form processing. We cannot accommodate requests to expedite e-forms at this time. Thank you for your patience.

Programs and Offices for Northeastern’s International Community.

International student hub.

Welcome to the International Student Hub — a place to learn about and connect with Northeastern's International community!

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Travel Signature Request

--> travel signature request ».

This is to request a travel endorsement on your I-20 or DS-2019.

Related Forms and Guides:

International travel, frequently asked questions.

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Visa Information

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On this page, visa definitions.

International students will need approval from the United States government in the form of a student visa in order to study full time in the USA. The F1 visa is the most frequently-used classification of visa for students. (The J-1 visa status is offered to students who plan to enter the U.S. as part of an educational exchange program pursuant to co-operative agreements with universities abroad, or whose education is primarily funded by the government or institutional resources.)

Certificate of Eligibility (I-20/DS-2019)

The Certificate of Eligibility is issued to an international applicant for the purpose of the visa application.  The I-20 is issued to students who are applying for the F1 visa, and the DS-2019 is issued to students who are applying for the J-1 visa.

To who is the Certificate of Eligibility issued?

NYU Office of Global Services (OGS) will issue Certificates of Eligibility to admitted applicants who have paid the graduate tuition deposit and completed the I-20/DS-2019 application (including all required supporting documentation).

How to apply for the Certificate of Eligibility

Once you have accepted your offer of admission and paid your tuition deposit, visit  Get a U.S. Visa  to learn more and apply for a Certificate of Eligibility. Note: your Certificate of Eligibility application should include any scholarship or fellowship letter you have received from NYU. Please allow up to 10 business days from the date of your application for your Certificate of Eligibility to be issued.

What to do once you receive the Certificate of Eligibility (I-20/DS-2019)

Once you receive your Certificate of Eligibility, you may  apply for a visa online  and make an appointment for a visa interview at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy. The list of the documents to be carried to the visa interview can be obtained from the website of the U.S. Consulate where you have applied for your visa. More information is available on the  Office of Global Services website .

You will be allowed to enter the United States no earlier than 30 days before the start date of the academic program, as listed on the Certificate of Eligibility (I-20/DS-2019).

Visa-related events

The Graduate Enrollment Management and Admissions Office conducts a number of Visa Coaching Webinars (as well as other events designed to inform and help admitted graduate students) in the months leading up to the new semester. Check  the Admitted Student Events page  for upcoming event schedules.

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Travel Advisory

Noncitizens living in the U.S. must be in possession of valid visa and travel documents in order to return to the U.S. after a trip abroad. Even with valid visa and travel documents, federal immigration authorities may exercise their authority to question and deny admission to noncitizens under certain circumstances. Moreover, because U.S. Customs and Border Protection has jurisdiction within 100 miles of a U.S. land/sea border, we advise noncitizens to be aware of the following.

Recent policy changes from the U.S. federal government have made travel more difficult for some members of our community. Two recent Executive Orders have, in particular, targeted some travelers from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, and (previously) Iraq. These Executive Orders have been challenged in U.S. courts, but due to the uncertainty over the final outcome in these cases, we recommend that citizens of the countries listed above who are currently in the U.S. avoid all international travel for now and until further notice. This is particularly the case for individuals who will be traveling on visas in passports from one of the designated countries. (If you have dual citizenship in one of the listed countries and plan to travel on your passport and documents from the non-designated country, you should be allowed to enter the U.S. assuming you do not meet any other ground of exclusion from the U.S. If you are a citizen in one of the listed countries but are also a U.S. Permanent Resident, you should be allowed to enter the U.S. assuming you do not meet any other ground of exclusion from the U.S.)

The U.S. federal government has also adopted more rigorous policies on questioning noncitizens at the border. Thus all noncitizens will likely face extra scrutiny at the border, and may be placed in secondary inspection and asked additional questions.

If you do decide to travel, it’s important for you to Know Your Rights. Before travel, be sure to have a lawyer’s name and contact information and the number for NYU Public Safety (on the back of your NYU ID card). Also be sure that a trusted friend knows your travel details. Be respectful and polite when going through U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Officials may attempt to search your phone and ask questions about your social media accounts. This means that you may want to review the content of your phone and social media accounts before any travel. Do not sign anything without the advice of a lawyer if detained or questioned by immigration officials, especially the form I-407 (for any U.S. Permanent Residents/green card holders in the US). This document is a “Record of Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Resident Status.” If you were to sign it, you would no longer be considered a U.S. Permanent Resident nor would you be entitled to any of the benefits that go along with it.

Travel Monitoring

If you choose to travel, we also invite you to complete this form ​ to make the NYU Office of Global Services (OGS) and the NYU Immigrant Defense Initiative (IDI) aware of your upcoming travel. This form will help us try to assist you if you encounter difficulties when attempting to enter the U.S. on your valid visa and travel documents. Please note, however: by entering your details on this form, NYU is not endorsing your travel, nor can we guarantee your successful entry into the U.S.

In filling out this form, you may opt to provide only your travel information for us to have on file, or you may also wish to seek a travel monitor. If you seek a travel monitor, this person will monitor your return to the U.S. and will alert OGS and IDI staff if he or she does not hear from you or a designated friend or family member with a few hours of your anticipated entry to the U.S. If you would like to be paired with a travel monitor, please select that option in the form below. Due to limited capacity, IDI prioritizes travel monitor requests for citizens of Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. For citizens of other countries, we still recommend you fill out this form and provide the NYU Public Safety number (on the back of your NYU ID card) to a friend or family member so that they may contact us if any problems arise.

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If you are a U.S. Citizen or a Permanent Resident, you can disregard this step in the admissions process.

Information on applying for I-20 and DS-2019

I-20 applications are coordinated through the NYU Office of Global Services (OGS) . OGS provides comprehensive support and advisory services for New York University's international students, scholars, and their dependents.

The OGS website is the best place for you to find information regarding the steps needed to obtain your student visa, including a step-by-step tutorial for newly admitted international students .

• A step-by-step tutorial for newly admitted international students

OGS Contact Information

Website: NYU Office of Global Services Telephone: (212) 998-4720 Email: [email protected]

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Report Changes to Your US Arrival Plan

All newly admitted NYU international students must apply for an I-20 or DS-2019 from NYU before starting their academic program at NYU. Once you receive your I-20 or DS-2019 from our office, we realize that some of you may need to change your arrival plans to the US due to visa delays or other personal reasons.

If your arrival plans have changed and you will not enter the US by the start date listed on your current I-20 or DS-2019, Office of Global Services staff must update your I-20 or DS-2019. For this reasons, we request that you report your change of plans to OGS.

Who Needs to Report Changes?

All newly admitted international students and students returning from a leave of absence who already have an I-20 or DS-2019 from NYU whose US arrival plan has changed. This includes students who:

• Plan to arrive after the term or semester listed on your most recent I-20/DS-2019,
• Intend to arrive for a semester or term earlier than the one listed on your most recent I-20/DS-2019,
• Need to defer your admission and will therefore start your NYU academic program during a future semester,
• Intend to study remotely outside of the US for the first semester listed on your most recent I-20/DS-2019,
• Decide to no longer attend NYU in the US, or
• Received an NYU I-20 or DS-2019 but decide to instead enter the US in another immigration status (not F-1 or J-1).

How to Report Changes to Your US Arrival Plan

If your change in arrival plans impacts your ability to start your academic program on time, you must first speak with your academic department to confirm that they are both aware and supportive of your plans for your first academic term in the United States. If you intend to defer to a future semester/year or you need to arrive late for your first academic term in the US, you must have their permission before you report changes to us.

Simply click the link and complete the form to report changes to your US arrival plan.

* You must be logged into your NYU email account in order to access the form.

If the information you provide us with necessitates a new I-20 or DS-2019, OGS will then update the information on your I-20 or DS-2019 within 10 business days and send you an updated version that will support your entry into the United States.