Travel for J-1 Scholars and Student Interns: FAQs
- Domestic travel
- Documents to carry in the United States
- International travel
- Expired visa
- Visa application timeline
- Automatic revalidation on a cruise
- Travel limits during J-1 program
- J-2 dependents
- Secondary Inspection
- Search of electronic devices
- Travel signature
- Additional information
1. Can I travel domestically within the United States?
J-1 Scholars and Student Interns may travel inside the United States. You must carry evidence of status at all times (see below).
2. What immigration documents do I need to have with me at all times?
We recommend carrying paper photocopies of your original immigration documents and keeping the originals in a safe place. You may wish to save a digital copy in a safe place such as your email or a cloud-based service as well.
- Carry a copy of your most recent Form DS-2019, a copy of your passport biographic page, your most recent I-94 proof of entry, and physical identification (GU GOCard, U.S. driver’s license, or state/DC identification card)
- If you will be outside of the DMV area, you should also carry your physical passport and original DS-2019.
3. Can I travel internationally?
Scholars and Student Interns in valid J-1 status are eligible to depart and reenter. Each U.S. entry is granted at the discretion of U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP).
As of March 13, 2025, there are no new travel restrictions applicable to J-1 Scholars or Student Interns. Please see our U.S. Immigration Policy & Regulatory Updates page for updates.
If you choose to travel internationally, please carry the items in the Travel Document Checklist in your carry-on/hand luggage (not your checked luggage!) through U.S. customs to facilitate entry in J-1 status.
4. My J-1 visa is expired. Can I remain in the United States?
Yes, you may remain in the United States as long as you continue to maintain status. However, if you choose to travel abroad, you must obtain a new J-1 visa at a U.S. embassy/consulate outside of the United States before attempting to reenter the United States in J-1 status. Very limited exceptions may be made for brief travel to Canada, Mexico, or other neighboring islands; this is referred to as automatic visa revalidation.
5. I need to get a new visa. How long will it take to get one?
Following a January 20, 2025, executive order, visa applicants should expect to see more intensive screening and potential delays.
Visa applicants may also be subject to additional security and background checks, called administrative processing, due to one’s country of citizenship or other ties; field of study, especially high technology or other sciences; or other factors. You should provide any requested information to the embassy/consulate promptly. It is not possible to expedite administrative processing.
Please be sure to carefully read the visa application and interview instructions on the website of the U.S. embassy/consulate where you will apply. In complex circumstances, you may also wish to consult with your IS Advisor and/or an experienced immigration attorney before departing the country and applying for a new visa.
6. Can I use automatic revalidation if I take a cruise?
Automatic visa revalidation may be possible if:
- your J-1 visa is expired;
- you briefly (less than 30 calendar days) visit Canada, Mexico, Saint Pierre, Miquelon, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, the Windward and Leeward Islands, Trinidad, Martinique, and other British, French and Netherlands territories or possessions in or bordering the Caribbean Sea, except Cuba; and
- you return to the United States without applying for a new visa at a U.S. consulate.
Other rules apply as well; please review them carefully in the Travel to Canada, Mexico and Neighboring Islands section.
If the cruise will stop at any ineligible locations, e.g., Cuba, etc., we advise against embarking with an expired visa.
If you plan to reenter the United States via automatic visa revalidation at the conclusion of the cruise, please consult with your travel provider to confirm you will be permitted to board the cruise.
7. How long can I be outside of the United States?
The J-1 Visa is an exchange visa intended to facilitate cultural and intellectual exchange between you and the Georgetown community. As such, you must be physically present in the US for the majority of your J-1 Program. J-1 scholars and student interns must receive advance permission for travel outside the United States of more than 30 days at a time during their J-1 program dates.
8. Can my dependents remain in the US while I am outside the US?
J-2 Dependents can travel freely in and out of the United States while the J-1 scholar or student intern remains active in their Georgetown program. They should show a valid J-2 visa stamp and a Form DS-2019 signed for travel within the last year for reentry. J-2 dependents must accompany you if you leave the United States for more than 30 days. If your J-2 dependent returns home before you and will not return to the United States, please inform your IS Advisor.
9. What is Secondary Inspection?
At Secondary Inspection, the CBP officer will more closely review your immigration record and documents and may have additional questions.
OGS is always available to assist if you encounter serious difficulty at the U.S. border. Have the phone numbers for the OGS and GUPD available in case the CBP officer needs to contact OGS to confirm your information. Be sure to carry the numbers below in your phone as well as a printed copy of our numbers in another location in your carry-on/hand luggage.
- Call the Georgetown University Police Department (GUPD) at (202) 687-4343. GUPD will contact OGS to assist.
10. Can electronic devices be searched by U.S. officials at the airport?
Yes. We strongly recommend setting your device to open via passcode only, not via fingerprint or Face ID, to ensure your explicit knowledge and permission are required in order to access your device. You may also wish to back up and encrypt private information on your device before traveling. Please review our Know Your Rights at the Airport (PDF) for more information.
11. What is the travel endorsement signature?
The travel signature is issued on your DS-2019 in the bottom right-hand corner. This signature endorses you for travel and reentry into the US. It is valid for 1 year or until the end of your J-1 program, whichever comes first. If you do not have a travel signature and will be traveling internationally, schedule an in-person meeting with your IS advisor to receive the travel signature.
12. How can I find additional information?
In addition to information provided by OGS, refer to reliable sources such as U.S. government websites with .gov URLs, such as the U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement Travel FAQs, and reputable immigration law firm websites. Be aware that social media sources may provide incomplete or misleading information.