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Office of International Services

Immigration and Travel

Information for J-1 Exchange Visitors & Student Interns

It is important to maintain your U.S. immigration status, as it is extremely difficult for the university to assist individual students and scholars when violations occur. Decisions that may seem small could lead to a violation and termination of your SEVIS record, which would have a serious impact on your ability to stay in the United States.

Guidelines and Resources for Visiting J-1 Scholars and Student Interns

Please review the following information carefully if you are a visiting J-1 scholar or student intern and have plans to travel outside of the U.S. during your visit period at NC State. 

Before you finalize travel plans:

  • With the federal government’s announcement that “enhanced vetting and screening” will occur at embassies and ports of entry, please evaluate the purpose and urgency of any international travel plans in light of evolving U.S. policies for immigration, border security and searches. 
  • There have been recent media reports of international students and scholars from other universities being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Understand that the university cannot legally intervene with individual immigration or law enforcement cases. You may consult with Student Legal Services, your home country embassy or a private immigration attorney for further advice regarding your individual circumstances and concerns. You may also review your rights when interacting with immigration officials. 
  • J-1 visa holders and their J-2 dependents need a current travel endorsement from OIS in order to re-enter the U.S. If OIS did not issue your form DS-2019, please contact your program sponsor directly to obtain a travel endorsement. 
  • If you are a J-1 visa holder who will be out of the U.S. for an extended amount of time (30 days or more), you will need to contact OIS and schedule an advising appointment. If you have any dependents in the U.S., they must leave the country with you if you will be gone for an extended period of time. 

The U.S. Department of State and the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) bureau of the Department of Homeland Security have announced “enhanced vetting and screening” for international travelers at airports, U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad and border crossing posts with Canada and Mexico. Additional information is available on the following U.S. Government Websites:

Documents Needed to Re-Enter the U.S.

It is important that you and your dependents carry all travel-related documents on your person or in your carry-on luggage when traveling internationally. Do not keep them in your checked baggage. If you will have been out of the country for less than 5 months you should have the following documents readily available while traveling:

  • Most recent DS-2019 endorsed for travel within the last 12 months by an advisor at OIS or program sponsor. The processing time for a travel signature at OIS is 10 business days.
  • A passport valid for at least six months beyond your re-entry date into the U.S. 
  • A valid J-1 or J-2 visa. If you need to apply for a visa while overseas, plan ahead and follow all instructions from the embassy/consulate where you will apply for a renewal. Canadian citizens are visa-exempt.
  • I-94 print-out: You will receive a new I-94 record each time you enter the U.S. This record should be reviewed following re-entry for any mistakes, and if any appear please consult OIS.
  • Receipt confirming payment of the SEVIS fee, if applicable. Please check to find out if you need to pay the SEVIS fee.
  • Documentation of the source and amount of your financial support.
  • Original offer/invitation letter from host NC State academic department.

Extended Absence from the U.S.

J-1 research scholars or professors may have a need to travel outside the U.S. for a period of more than 30 days. If the international travel is related to your research, education or other work at NC State, OIS may be able to keep your J-1 status active while you’re abroad. Please contact OIS directly for such cases, as their review and approval is needed. J-1 research scholars and professors who need to travel abroad must complete the Research Abroad/Study Abroad request in GlobalHome at least 30 days prior to travel.

The travel authorization can only be processed prior to the departure date. If, during the out of country period, the J-1 realizes that they will be delayed in returning to the U.S., the J-1 must notify OIS and their NC State supervisor in writing prior to the end date of the current out of country authorization. During the out of country period, the J-1 must maintain health insurance for themselves and any J-2 dependents. The J-1 must also continue to update any changes in their contact information (address, e-mail, phone number) with OIS and maintain contact with their supervisor at NC State University.

J-1 exchange visitors should follow all travel procedures explained above and obtain necessary signatures and visas, as appropriate, well in advance of planned travel.

Travel to Canada and Mexico

Under a benefit called Automatic Revalidation, J-1 scholars from most countries may return to the U.S. after short trips of 30 days or less exclusively to Canada, Mexico and other contiguous island nations (except Cuba) even with an expired visa. You will need all other materials indicated above. Currently, Automatic Revalidation of visas is not extended following travel to Cuba, or to citizens of Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan or Syria. 

When traveling under the benefit of Automatic Revalidation of visa, exchange visitors should not hand over the I-94 form to airline personnel or other national customs officials. The original I-94 form is proof of original entry and will be used for the revalidation process. 

Additionally, be very mindful that the benefit of Automatic Revalidation only impacts the eligibility for return to the U.S. and is absolutely independent of any visa requirements needed to enter Canada, Mexico or other contiguous countries. Well in advance of travel, check with the consular posts of the countries you plan to travel to and inquire about their visa requirements.

What to Expect at the Port of Entry

The Port of Entry (POE) is the first place you arrive in the United States and where you will go through immigration and customs inspection. Even though the Raleigh-Durham International Airport may be your final destination, it may not be your port of entry if it is not the first place you arrive in the U.S. In fact, some U.S. Ports of Entry are even located outside the U.S. and the immigration inspection takes place before boarding the flight (e.g. in UAE, Canada, Ireland and the Caribbean).

When you arrive at the POE and go through immigration, the officer will ask you some simple questions regarding the purpose of your visit to the U.S. (which is to be a student or visiting scholar). They may ask for your documentation and may fingerprint and/or photograph you. 

Be aware that officials may also ask to inspect your electronic devices, including files, photos and/or social media accounts linked to that device. If an officer determines that you require additional screening, you may be asked to go to an interview area called Secondary Inspection. This is not uncommon and should not cause alarm. However, Secondary Inspection can result in travel delays. Find more information here about your rights during inspection at the POE.

Connecting with OIS

If you encounter difficulties at the border during regular office hours (Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-5 p.m. EDT) you can contact OIS at 1.919.515.2961. If an emergency occurs outside of these hours, contact NC State University Police at 1.919.515.3000 in order to get in touch with an OIS staff member. 

Helpful Links

U.S. Embassies Abroad
U.S. Department of State – Travel and Visas