News

Travel Guidance Issued April 25, 2025

We are committed to helping you achieve your long-term goal of graduating from RPI, and we understand you may have a need or desire for travel. ISSS will not prevent you from traveling. It is your right to request a travel signature from our office, and your decision if you want to travel, but we urge caution.

At this time, we do not recommend traveling outside of the United States. There are currently too many unknowns and changes to how federal agencies are applying regulations, policy, and guidance for us to be confident in travel being low risk.

If you choose to travel, keep these points in mind:

• Your tolerance for uncertainty. Can you manage possible delays/re-entry issues, being unable to return, a potential travel ban that impacts you unexpectedly?
• Your back-up plan. If you cannot enter the U.S., how does this impact your classes and ability to be an RPI student?
• What to bring with you. Carry all required documents for entry to the U.S.
  • Current students: click here for travel guidance
  • Alumni: click here for travel guidance
• Know about electronic device searches entering the U.S. AILA (American Immigration Lawyers Association) has this helpful document to consider.

Before you go

Before you leave, make sure you have:

• Passport valid 6 months into the future
• Valid F-1 Visa
• I-20 with valid travel signature signed by ISSS
  • See Page 2 in the Travel Endorsement section for the date of your last signature.
    • For currently enrolled students, signatures are valid for 12 months. For students on OPT or STEM OPT, signatures are valid for 6 months.
    • The signature must be valid upon the date of your re-entry to the U.S.
• If on OPT/STEM OPT you must bring your original EAD card, and we recommend you also carry proof of resuming employment (e.g. contract, offer letter, etc.).

Via International (or VI) is the software system that International Services is now using to manage your SEVIS record. Every new and current RPI student and RPI alumni has an account to submit requests to us.

Click here to access Via International (VI)

How to Access VI

• New and current students In VI, click the Go to Portal button and log in with your RCS account
• Alumni In VI, click the Sign In button (under Go to Portal) and log in using your personal email address

Have questions about VI? Email us, schedule Virtual Advising, or come in during Walk-In Hours.

We hope you enjoy using VI and welcome your feedback, so let us know what you think!

International Services for Students and Scholars invites faculty and staff to sign up for our Campus Partners messages, sent every other month and in emergent circumstances. Messages include immigration updates, programming, campus services, and more.

Click here to sign up for Campus Partner messages.