Fall Break International Travel Guidance

October 8, 2025

As we approach fall break, we have compiled a list of reminders about international travel for your review.

There are risks involved with international travel for international students and scholars due to added scrutiny and enhanced screening for visa applications (if you need to get a new visa) and at the U.S. ports of entry. We advise caution when considering international travel for personal or professional reasons, as U.S. immigration policy remains subject to change. OISS does not know what immigration policy changes might be implemented and whether these changes will impact your ability to re-enter the U.S. As such, you should assess your risk tolerance (see below on how to determine your risk level) and decide accordingly.

We are here to provide information and assistance to help you navigate any decisions regarding international travel and other immigration issues. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your designated OISS adviser.

If you are a H-1B visa holder, please review the recent presidential proclamation on H-1B workers, and consult with your designated OISS adviser before making any travel plans. 

Before You Leave

Check Your Immigration Documents

Pack all your immigration documents in your carry-on. Please review all the documents you must carry and ensure they are valid for travel before you leave the U.S. (See detailed guidance for F-1/J-1 student travel or J-1/H-1B scholar travel).

Note: There are additional considerations and documents needed to travel after graduation using F-1 OPT.

Valid Passport

Your passport must be valid for a minimum of six months into the future at the time of re-entry to the U.S. Some countries have an agreement with the U.S. that exempts their nationals from the six-month rule for U.S. entry purposes only.

Valid Visa

You also need a valid visa to re-enter the U.S. (except for Canadian citizens, who do not need one). Please check the expiration date of the visa in your passport. If your visa has expired, apply for a new one by submitting the online nonimmigrant visa application (DS-160).

Valid Travel Signature (For F-1 and J-1)

If you are in F-1 or J-1 status, you must also ensure that your I-20 or DS-2019 has a valid travel signature to re-enter the U.S. Please remember that travel signatures are only valid for one year but are suitable for multiple entries. Travel signatures can be found on the second page of your I-20 or the first page of your DS-2019. If you need a  new travel signature, please contact your designated OISS adviser, and they will electronically send you a new I-20 or DS-2019 with a travel signature.

Assess Your International Travel Risk

We have created a general guide to evaluate your risk level when considering international travel. Please note that this guide does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Additional factors and other personal circumstances can change your risk levels. For more personalized and detailed guidance, contact your designated OISS adviser.

While Outside the U.S.

Check Recent Immigration Actions and Updates

OISS is closely monitoring recent executive orders and their potential impact. Stay up-to-date with the latest immigration actions, updates, and OISS guidance, including new FAQs. Check back often for new information to help you navigate these policy changes. Although it is possible that new executive orders or immigration policy changes that impact your ability to re-enter the U.S. could be announced, we do not know what the scope of these orders might be, what exceptions they might include, and when these orders would take effect.

Use Yale’s International Travel Resources

Register your travel with Yale. In the event of a significant emergency, Yale will be able to contact you. We will not know if you are in a location affected by a major emergency if you have not registered your travel.

In an emergency, contact International SOS Global Travel Assistance. All members of the Yale community are automatically enrolled with International SOS (ISOS), which provides pre-travel consultations and 24/7/365 domestic and international emergency medical, security, and travel assistance for Yale travelers and accompanying family while more than one hundred miles from home.

While Re-Entering the U.S.

Follow the Protocols for Issues at the U.S. Port of Entry

If you encounter issues at the U.S. border and the CBP officer has questions that OISS can answer, please ask the officer if they would like to call OISS for confirmation. During office hours, OISS can be reached by calling our front desk at (203) 432-2305, and you or the federal agent/officer will be connected to an OISS adviser. After hours, please call Yale Security at (203) 785-5555, and they will immediately call the OISS director or associate director. See our current Travel Guidance page for more details.

Understand What It Means to be Sent to Secondary Inspection

Most Yale students and scholars will clear U.S. immigration after your documents are reviewed by a CBP officer. However, a few of you may be referred to another officer to verify your student or employee status or for additional questioning. This is referred to as “secondary inspection”. Although a referral to secondary inspection can lead you to think there is a problem, there is usually little cause for alarm. Some inspections will only last a short time, but some of you might need to wait a while to complete the process. If the CBP officer has questions that OISS can answer, please follow the abovementioned protocols.

Educate Yourself About Searches of Electronic Devices & Practice Digital Hygiene

International travelers face added scrutiny and enhanced screening at the U.S. ports of entry. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued updated information (last modified January 7, 2025) on conducting border searches of electronic devices. Please note that CBP officers may ask individuals to provide access to phones, tablets, laptops, and other electronic devices, as well as social media profiles, email, and similar accounts when entering or exiting the U.S. Please refer to Yale Information Security’s general advice about traveling securely with electronic devices, which includes borrowing a Yale loaner device, and the University Privacy Office’s suggestions about protecting your privacy and managing your digital footprint.

You should evaluate your risk regarding your social media presence and digital footprint to determine what, if any, action you should take before traveling. If you are seriously concerned about your social media or internet presence, you should speak to an experienced immigration attorney to help you consider your travel plans. Some helpful resources to consider are listed below:

After You Arrive in the U.S.

Check Your I-94 Record

I-94 is your arrival and departure record that is automatically created online upon your entry to the U.S. After you re-enter the U.S. at the end of summer, please check your I-94 record and make sure you have been admitted in the correct visa status and the proper duration (i.e., for D/S, duration of status, if you are in F-1 or J-1 status). If you see an error in your I-94 record, please contact your OISS adviser.