The Federal Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), in conjunction with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), will inspect all internationals entering the U.S. Expect close examination of your documents by these officials. Answer all questions politely and briefly. You are not required to provide them more information beyond the scope of the questions asked.

When first approaching the CBP Officer, have your passport, visa, and signed I-20 ready for inspection. You should not give any other supporting documents unless requested. We recommend having supporting documents on hand to provide only if requested, such as RPI ID, financial documentation, or a letter from your department detailing your course of study if you are majoring in a sensitive area.

CBP officials are required to record your arrival data into SEVIS at the time you enter, and return your SEVIS I-20 to you, after they have stamped it. However, not all CBP officials will have access to SEVIS at their booths in the "primary lanes." Depending upon the Port of Entry, some students may be directed to a secondary inspection area or "student lanes" so that their data can be entered into SEVIS.

The Office of Biometric Identity Management (OBIM) is an entry/exit record-keeping system for all non-immigrants traveling to and from the United States. In addition to the usual inspection procedure conducted by CBP officers when you enter the U.S., each non-immigrant will have their fingerprints taken by placing their index fingers on an inkless fingerprint scanner. A digital photograph will also be taken.

It is a federal law that anyone carrying more than $10,000 in a monetary instrument of any form must declare that money, or risk having it seized by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials.

Travelers should be aware that both CBP and ICE have the right to search any form of electronic media, which CBP and ICE define as any item that may contain information, including computers, floppy and compact disks, DVDs, drives, tapes, mobile phones, personal digital assistants or PDAs, BlackBerry smart phones, cameras, and music players (including iPods and MP3 players), without necessarily suspecting that the individual may be carrying unlawful information. If the computer or other electronic device is used by others, check the browser history and make sure that the contents will not cause problems if searched.

If you are missing documents, or if your I-20 does not have a valid travel signature, the border official may issue you a Form I-515A. This allows you temporary entrance into the United States. You will have 30 days to submit the documents requested on the Form I-515A to federal authorities. If you receive a Form I-515A, please contact the ISSS Office immediately.

Anyone who is denied admission at the port of entry should be cautious. Arguing with the customs official is at your own risk and may result in a “expedited removal” which will result in five-year bar on admission to the U.S.. If you are denied admission, first contact the ISSS Office for assistance, but also let the immigration official know that you are willing to withdraw your application for admission to the country rather than be subject to expedited removal if you so choose.

Please consult the TSA’s website here: www.tsa.gov/

Any passenger’s baggage may be selected for screening for the Federal Transportation and Security Administration (TSA). This means that they are authorized to open your baggage by any means necessary, even if it is locked, for inspection. If your bag was inspected, there will be a note inside. You should familiarize yourself with what is and isn’t allowed in your baggage, especially your carry-on, before traveling.

• The nearest airport to RPI is the Albany International Airport (ALB). It is approximately 15 minutes from campus by car. For more information about this airport, see their website
• Other major airports in New York State are John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA). If arriving at either of these airports, there is a transportation service you can pay to provide daily shuttle service between either JFK/LGA and Albany called Premiere Transportation. For more information about this service, see their website
• Other majors airports within 1-2 states of New York include Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in New Jersey, Bradley International Airport (BDL) in Connecticut and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) in Massachusetts.
• Airport websites:
  • ALB: Albany International Airport in Albany, NY
  • JFK: John F. Kennedy International Airport in Jamaica, NY
  • LGA: LaGuardia Airport in Queens, NYC
  • EWR: Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, NJ
  • BDL: Bradley International in Windsor Locks, CT
  • BOS: Boston Logan International Airport in Boston, MA

• There are a number of coach bus services from New York City and Boston to Albany, including Greyhound, Megabus, Trailways and Peter Pan bus lines.
• Bus websites:
  • Greyhound
  • Megabus
  • Trailways
  • Peter Pan

• Amtrak is a national train service.
• The nearest station is the Albany-Rensselaer Train Station, which is approximately 15 minutes from campus by car. For more information about Amtrak, see their website.
• Please be sure to review the baggage regulations before travelling.

• A taxi from the Albany International Airport or the Albany-Rensselaer Train Station to RPI costs approximately $45.
• Carry a few extra dollars to tip the driver for your baggage. Always verify the total cost of your taxi before you go anywhere.
• If traveling in a group, make sure that you are not being overcharged for each additional person.

• There are two major services in upstate NY where you can use an app to hail a driver: Lyft and Uber.
• Both services require you to use your cell phone to request a driver and permit you to enter your final destination.
• There also may be surcharges if you are picked up at the airport or the train station.

Students travelling within the United States should carry their original immigration documents. This includes your passport, visa, Most Recent I-94 Record, and I-20. You may be asked for these documents to prove your status at any time by government or law enforcement officials. Puerto Rico is a United States territory and is considered a part of the U.S.

Effective May 7, 2025, air travel inside the U.S. requires you to carry a REAL ID compliant document.

• An unexpired passport from your country of citizenship is a REAL ID compliant document.
• You can also travel with a U.S. Driver’s License that is a REAL ID or a U.S. Non-Driver Identification Card that is a REAL ID.
  • To learn more about a REAL ID, click here.
• The REAL ID website has this interactive tool to help you identify what document you must show to board a flight that will travel to another U.S. location.

NOTE: Students with a pending change of non-immigrant status application or immigrant visa petition should only travel within the United States, as travel outside the United States has the effect of abandoning the application. You should also travel with a receipt notice of your pending application. We strongly advise consulting with an immigration attorney for travel in these situations.

FAQs

1. Do I need a travel signature for travel inside the U.S.?
   • Answer: No. You only need a valid travel signature to enter the U.S. If you do not depart the U.S., you do not need a travel signature.
2. Where is the travel signature on my I-20?
   • Answer: On the I-20, it is on Page 2 in the 'Travel Endorsement' box.

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.
• International SOS is available to the campus community. Click here for details.

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.).

General Travel FAQs

• What if I did not get a travel signature?
  • Review the ISSS Winter Break FAQs, available here.
  • Contact ISSS as soon as possible for guidance.
  • If your return date is less than three days away:
    • At the Port of Entry (POE), tell the CBP Officer that your forgot to get a signature and give them your I-20. ASK for the Form I-515A.
    • Your entry into the U.S. may be delayed. Make appropriate travel plans and give yourself time.
• I received a Form I-515A at the Port of Entry. What do I do?
  • First, contact ISSS immediately. A Form I-515A must be resolved within 30 days of issuance and ISSS must provide you certain documentation to resolve it.
  • Study in the States has created a handout to help you understand the process to resolve a Form I-151A. See this link for more information.
• Do I need a new visa?
  • If it will be valid for your return date to the U.S, no.
  • If it will not be valid, yes. Please see the next section on Visa for information on renewing your visa.
• Where is the travel signature on my I-20?
  • On the I-20, it is on Page 2 in the 'Travel Endorsement' box.
• How long is my travel signature valid?
  • For students with an I-20, the signature is valid for 1 year if they are enrolled at RPI OR valid for 6 months if they are on Post-Completion OPT or STEM OPT. 

Travel to Canada

• Refer to the Canadian Consulate General websites before traveling, available here.
• Check to see if you need a visitor visa to enter.
• Note: If you are taking a flight through Canada to your home country, you may have to apply for a transit visa. For more information, visit this link.
• If you will be traveling to Canada for 30 days of less and your visa has expired, you may be eligible for automatic visa revalidation to enter the U.S. For more information, visit this link.
  • If you travel to Canada and apply for a new nonimmigrant visa there, you cannot take advantage of automatic revalidation to return to the U.S. (per the Department of State).

Travel to Other Countries

• If you are visiting a country other than your own, you may need a visitor's visa to enter. Contact that country's embassy or consulate in the U.S., or search for their website.
• If you are “transiting” into a country, meaning that your flight home requires an intermediate stop in a third country, find out if a transit visa is required, and if so, if it needs to be obtained in advance. For example, you may need a visa to transit Canada or the United Kingdom.

Renewing your F-1 Visa

Please see the Visa section for information on renewing your visa.

If you try to enter the U.S. without your I-20 or without a valid travel signature, you may be issued the Form I-515A. 

If you are issued an I-515A, you must contact ISSSoffice@rpi.edu for instructions on how to resolve it.

• An I-515A gives you legal entry to the U.S. for 30 days to resolve the issue (usually a missing travel signature).

International Services recommends applying for a renewal visa in your home country, rather than another third party country (if eligible). If your visa application is denied, you will have to return home before returning to the U.S.

Applying for a new visa can be a lengthy process, so make sure you allow sufficient time. The best time to renew a visa is during the annual summer academic break.

Plan accordingly and contact the U.S. Consulate/Embassy and schedule an appointment before you depart to ensure you have enough time to get your visa to return. To find a U.S. Consulate/Embassy, click here.

To renew your visa, make sure you have the following documents:

1. Passport
2. I-20
   • If anything needs to be updated on the I-20, submit the Update to I-20 Information request in Via International (VI) at least two weeks before leaving to request an updated I-20.
3. Transcript (Obtain this from the Registrar's Office)
4. Financial Documents (should match the finances listed on Page 1 of your I-20)
5. Rensselaer ID Card
6. Academic Documentation (this is especially important for graduate students or students with a sensitive area of study), including: letter from department, description of your research plan and current CV

If you are on OPT/STEM OPT and want to renew your visa, please consult with ISSS first, as it is harder to renew your F-1 visa on OPT/STEM OPT.

The visa is an entry document, meaning you can remain in the United States on an expired visa stamp as long as your F-1 status is still valid. However, you will need a valid visa to re-enter the United States, unless Automatic Visa Revalidation applies.

To prepare for your visa interview, see this link for help.

Any individual applying for a visa, but especially individuals from certain countries or who are pursuing degrees in certain “sensitive areas of study,” may have to undergo a criminal background check and/or undergo administrative processing before obtaining a visa.

This can be a very lengthy process and can delay your visa, so please allow time for processing if you believe you may be subject.

Graduate students who are considered to be majoring in "sensitive areas of study" as determined by the U.S. government may also be required to undergo administrative processing before a visa can be issued.

There is a document called the "Technology Alert List" (TAL) that visa officers consult for this purpose.

• This link from RPI Export Control provides a copy of the TAL.

China, India, Israel, Pakistan and Russia have received special mention by the U.S. State Department in the context of this list because these countries are considered to possess nuclear capability that is of concern to U.S. national security.

Even if you are not a citizen of one of the countries listed above, your field of study (especially if you are a doctoral student majoring in the sciences, technology, computer science or engineering) might require your visa application to undergo an administrative processing REGARDLESS of the country you are from.

The State Department has announced that these clearances generally take as long as eight weeks for review. Once granted, the clearance will be valid for the duration of the student's study, to a maximum of four years, unless the field of study changes.

It is strongly recommended that if your field of study is "sensitive", you should obtain a letter from your faculty advisor that explains the nature of your studies and/or your research.

• The letter should also include your faculty advisor's address, e-mail and telephone number.
• The letter should be written using language that is easy to understand, and should not exceed the front side of one page.
• In addition, print a copy of your faculty advisor's official university webpage, containing information regarding his or her research, and attach the letter to it.

Be sure to include the following with your visa application:

• A copy of your resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
• A description of your research plan
• A copy of your advisor’s University webpage, that describes their research interests

If you find that your visa application is delayed due a need for the consulate or embassy to send your file for administrative processing based on your field of study, please notify ISSS of the situation by email

Visa officials are required to verify your record in the SEVIS system before a visa can be approved. This is also true for any dependents.

There have been data transfer problems of some SEVIS records between the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State that have resulted in lost information.

If the Consular Officer is unable to access your record in SEVIS and you have an I-20 from RPI, please contact International Services by email or phone to alert us of the problem.

You can remain in the U.S. with an expired visa.

Your immigration status [which comes from your I-20] is what matters once you have entered the U.S.

The expired visa only matters if you will be traveling outside the U.S. and need to return.

You can remain in the U.S. with an expired visa and maintain your immigration status.

It depends on a number of factors.

It is best to schedule a Virtual Advising appointment with International Services to discuss what you should consider in the renewal process.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Are you an undergraduate or a graduate student?
• What is the amount of time you will have available for visa processing before you need to return for classes?
• Have you ever been placed under Administrative Processing?
• How long did it take for you to get your last visa?
• Has something changed since you got your last visa?

No. The Department of State does not permit visa renewals inside of the U.S.

Complete the same process you did during your first visa interview.

More details about this process are available from the Department of State here.

International Services recommends that you plan to schedule your visa appointment in advance, after your travel plans are booked, since you have the information that you need on your I-20. This may help you in obtaining an earlier visa interview date.

This depends on the guidance from the Department of State, as they are the entity that decides if you are permitted to apply outside of your country of citizenship.