Can I Travel When in the United States With F-1 Student Visa Status?

A: You are allowed to travel freely throughout the United States while in the country with F-1 student visa status - though you should note that extensive travel may interfere with your studies. While you do not need permission to travel within the U.S., you should carry your passport, your I-94 card, and your I-20 with you when traveling.

You are also allowed to travel back to your country of origin or to other countries - as long as you carry the required documents for re-entry to the United States. Be sure to carry your passport, your F-1 visa, and your I-20 paperwork. Under certain circumstances, you may travel to Canada, Mexico, and parts of the Caribbean for less than a month without a valid F-1 entry visa.

If you wish or need to travel outside of the country for an extended period of time, you must apply for a V-1 visa leave of absence, suspension, or withdrawal.

Travel and entry procedures are essentially the same for the dependents of F-1 student visa holders.

Do you have more questions regarding F-1 student visas and traveling both in and out of the United States during your stay? Contact the San Francisco F-1 Visa attorneys at the Law Offices of Vaughan de Kirby for more information.