Travel & Re-Entry

When traveling locally (in and around greater Cambridge/Boston metro area), you do not need to carry all of your original documents on your person.  

Instead, you should: 

• Carry paper copies/printouts of your most recently issued:
• I-94 admission record (NOT the travel history);
• F-1 Form I-20 or J-1 Form DS-2019.
• Have scans/photos of the following available on a phone or mobile device:
• Passport biographic page;
• Visa issued by the U.S. consulate, as a photo or scan on your phone.
• I-797 Approval notice (if applicable; not all Harvard students and scholars will have this document). 

When you travel outside of the greater Cambridge/Boston metro area, you should carry all of your original documents on your person, including your physical passport with visa stamp inside. 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers may stop individuals and ask for identification at their discretion. When traveling inside the United States by air, please always carry the same immigration documents you would for international travel (see below), and follow the guidelines set by the TSA: Transportation Security Administration. It is important to check the TSA's website before traveling each time since guidelines and regulations tend to change frequently. 

You may also wish to consider applying for a State ID, Liquor ID, or Driver's License. 

Be advised that beginning May 7, 2025, every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card, or another TSA-acceptable form of identification, for domestic air travel and to enter certain federal facilities. The TSA offers a list of acceptable identification documents on its website.   

Even with a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or identification card, you should still carry all of your original documents on your person, including your physical passport with visa stamp inside if you're traveling outside of the Cambridge/Boston metro area. 

You must plan for international travel by first reviewing your visa documents for reentry to the U.S.  In addition, if traveling to a country that is not your own, you need to confirm that you have the required entry visa documents for that country. Please contact the embassy or consulate of the particular country you plan to visit for detailed information on what you need to do to apply for an entry visa should you need one.  Note that it is also recommended that you take with you all related immigration documents for travel inside the U.S. but outside the Boston metropolitan area. 

1. Unexpired passport 

All international students, scholars and their family members are required to have valid passports. Passports must be valid at least six months beyond your date of entry to the United States.  

2. Unexpired U.S. visa (except for Canadian citizens) 

It is not possible to apply for or renew non-immigrant visas inside the U.S. Citizens of all countries except Canada are required to have unexpired U.S. visas in their passports to enter and reenter the U.S. If you need to apply for a visa, please contact the U.S. embassy or consulate at which you plan to apply for the visa in advance to confirm its hours of operation, application procedures, and to see if any changes have been implemented. For a list of U.S. embassies and consulates abroad, visit the U.S. Department of State website. A U.S. non-immigrant visa is issued in an individual's passport by a U.S. consul in a U.S. embassy or consulate outside theU.S. A visa is used solely for the purpose of entry and reentry to the U.S. The visa does not determine how long an individual may remain in the U.S. An individual may remain in the U.S. beyond the expiration date of a visa as long as the immigration document (Form I-20, Form DS-2019, or Form I-797) is valid. 

3. Unexpired visa document (Form DS-2019, I-20, I-797, DS-7002) 

Please check your documents prior to making international travel plans. Visa documents include the Form I-20, Form DS-2019, Form DS-7002, and Form I-797. A visa document certifies the length of stay for international students, scholars and their family members and it indicates an individual's visa status. A visa document must be unexpired at all times. 

If you leave the U.S. and you forget to bring your Form I-20 or DS-2019, or it is lost or stolen, you can request that a new form be emailed to you via the online Travel Signature Request. 

4. Unexpired travel signature on Form I-20 or DS-2019 (in most cases no older than 12 months) 

Students and scholars on F-1 and J-1 visas (as well as their dependents on F-2 and J-2 visas) need a travel signature on Form I-20 or DS-2019, in most cases, no older than 12 months. 

• You may request a travel signature to be sent via email by completing the Travel Signature Request Form. If you have dependents, you do not need to submit a separate request for signatures; all forms will be issued and sent to you automatically.
• You may also visit the HIO during our walk in travel signature and document pick up hours. 

If you attempt to re-enter the U.S. with a visa document (Form I-20 or DS-2019) that has an expired travel signature, the immigration officials at the U.S. port of entry have the discretion to readmit you for up to 30 days. You may be given the Form I-515A granting you a 30-day admission period. If you are given an I-515A upon entry, it is very important that you contact your HIO advisor immediately. The HIO will provide you with instructions on correcting the I-515A to extend your permission to remain in the U.S.  

Each time you enter the U.S., the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) creates an on-line, electronic entry record of your entry to the U.S. This is called your I-94 record.  Because U.S. airports no longer stamp your passport when you enter the U.S., the I-94 will be your only official record of entry to the U.S.  

You should check and save a screenshot of your I-94  record each time you enter the U.S. as you may need it for other purposes. If the I-94 record ever displays incorrect information, or cannot be found, please contact your HIO advisor. 

The HIO recommends you not use Global Entry or NEXUS, or an automated passport kiosk, to enter the U.S. You should speak with a Customs and Border Protection Officer and present your documents in order to be admitted to the U.S. in the proper status. 

It is very likely you will be inspected into the U.S. as a tourist when using Global Entry or NEXUS, which does not permit you to study or work in the U.S. We understand that using Global Entry may result in spending less time in line at the port of entry, but the consequences of being inspected into the U.S. on an incorrect visa status can cause great difficulties for you and can prevent you from beginning your studies or appointment at Harvard University. In extreme cases you may be required to fly home and reenter the U.S. again to be considered in the proper status.  

Before arranging travel that would require transit through a country that is not your home country, review that country's visa policies and/or ask your travel agent. Many countries, including the U.S., require travelers to have an entry visa, a transit visa, or meet specific requirements. 

Harvard students and scholars who are traveling for school-related or personal reasons may register their travel with Harvard Global Support Services. If any incidents occur abroad while you are traveling, Global Support Servies proactively contacts registered Harvard affiliates in the area to confirm your wellbeing and offer medical or security assistance through International SOS. 

Those who have obtained an approval of a change of visa status in the U.S. through the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will still be required to apply for a visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate when traveling outside the U.S. prior to returning to the U.S. in the new visa status. 

Family members in dependent visa status such as F-2, J-2, H-4, or O-3 must have their own dependent visa documents (Forms I-20, DS-2019, I-797) when traveling with or without their principal visa holders. F-2 and J-2 dependents must have a valid travel signature on their I-20 or DS-2019.

TN dependents must also have proof of their relationship with the primary TN visa holder (marriage or birth certificate).

The U.S. has strict export control laws. If you are traveling abroad, check with the head of your department or laboratory before sending or taking with you materials related to your work. The U.S. government may require a license to export such items. For more information, please see the University's policy statement. 

If you are visiting a country other than your own you may be required to obtain a visa to enter that country. You should contact the embassy or consulate of the particular country in the U.S. for visa requirements.

Please be aware that many countries (including the U.S.) do not allow visitors to transit through their countries unless they have entry visas, transit visas, or meet specific requirements. Before arranging travel that would require transit through a country that is not your home country, review that country's visa policies, and/or consult your travel agent.

If you will need to apply for a U.S. visa for your return to the U.S. and are planning to apply for it in a country other than your home country, please visit the web site of the U.S. embassy or consulate in which you plan to apply for the visa for its operating procedures and visa processing times. Some visa applicants may be prohibited from applying for a visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate in a third country. Please be sure to check the web site of the proper embassy or consulate.

Harvard Global Support Services is able to provide advice on outbound visa requirements and has a number of resources on its website for Harvard travelers.

In case of emergency while abroad, International SOS provides medical, mental health, security advice, referrals, and emergency evacuation services to eligible Harvard travelers abroad. To ensure access to these services, it is crucial that all international travel be registered with International SOS before you travel abroad. You can also review country guides, sign up for alerts, and download the International SOS Assistance App before you leave.

Obtaining a Visa to Enter Canada or Mexico

Citizens of certain countries need to apply for a tourist visa to enter Canada or Mexico. The Canadian Consulate in Boston does not issue tourist visas. Please visit the Canadian consulate website for specific information regarding Canadian tourist visa requirements. Please visit the web site of the Embassy of Mexico for specific information regarding Mexican tourist visa requirements.

Automatic Visa Revalidation

Generally, international students and scholars must present a valid, unexpired visa each time they enter the United States, except for Canadian citizens. An exception to this rule exists for nonimmigrants who travel for less than 30 days solely to Canada or Mexico, or, in the case of F or J nonimmigrants only, to Canada, Mexico or "adjacent islands other than Cuba." This process is known as "automatic visa revalidation". Please review the automatic visa revalidation qualifications prior to travel to ensure that your trip qualifies.

To reenter the U.S., students and scholars need to have valid passports, unexpired visa documents (Form I-20, DS-2019, or I-797), and a printout of their I-94 record. Please be sure to specifically ask for automatic visa revalidation from the port of entry official who inspects you back into the U.S. We also recommend printing the automatic revalidation page of the CBP website to take with you. Citizens of North Korea, Syria, Sudan and Iran are not eligible for automatic visa revalidation.

Traveling to Canada or Mexico to Apply for a New U.S. Visa

Harvard students and scholars who hold F or J visas should not plan to travel to Canada or Mexico to apply for a visa from a U.S. consulate without consulting their HIO advisors in advance. Any Third Country National (a person applying at a U.S. consulate/embassy in a country other than their own) who applies for a visa in Canada or Mexico must have the application approved before returning to the U.S. If the applicant is unable to get approval of the new visa application in Canada or Mexico, they will not be permitted to reenter the U.S. The applicant may need to travel to their home country directly from either Canada or Mexico to apply for the proper visa in order to reenter the U.S.

As a U.S. visa holder, you are subject to the U.S. laws governing travel to and from Cuba. At this time travel to Cuba is prohibited for tourist purposes. This restriction also includes tourist travel to Cuba from or through a third country such as Mexico or Canada. If the purpose of your trip falls within the acceptable travel categories as laid out by the U.S. Treasury, you must contact Harvard’s Global Support Services office to inquire about the required licenses for travel. 

U.S. Government Restrictions on Travel to Cuba (Excerpt from U.S. Department of State country specific information on Cuba)

“Entry / Exit Requirements, Travel Transaction Limitations: The Cuban Assets Control Regulations are enforced by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and affect all U.S. citizens and permanent residents wherever they are located, all people and organizations physically located in the United States regardless of their visa status, and all branches and subsidiaries of U.S. organizations throughout the world. The regulations require that persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction be licensed in order to engage in any travel-related transactions pursuant to travel to, from, and within Cuba. Transactions related to tourist travel are not licensable. This restriction includes tourist travel to Cuba from or through a third country such as Mexico or Canada. U.S. law enforcement authorities enforce these regulations at U.S. airports and pre-clearance facilities in third countries. Travelers who fail to comply with Department of the Treasury regulations could face civil penalties and criminal prosecution upon return to the United States.”

Please review the following web links for information on U.S. economic sanctions on Cuba and a Department of State profile on Cuba:

• U.S. Department of State
• U.S. Department of the Treasury

Please review this short video and our guide to travel on OPT for more information.  

Travel before your I-20 program end date 

You can travel the way that you always have with: 

• a valid Form I-20, signed on page 2 by an HIO advisor (the signature must not be more than 12 months old at the time of reentry to the U.S.)
• a passport that is valid for at least six months after the date of re-entry
• an unexpired F-1 visa in the passport (except for Canadian citizens). If your F-1 visa is expired at the time of your reentry to the U.S. you must apply for a new F-1 visa to reenter the U.S. 

The above also applies to your F-2 dependents. 

Travel after I-20 program end date and OPT approval 

You must have ALL documents listed below in order to travel and reenter the U.S. while on an approved period of OPT.  In many cases you may also need to apply for a new F-1 visa before you may return to the U.S. 

• a valid Form I-20, signed on page 2 by an HIO advisor (the signature must not be more than six months old at the time of reentry to the U.S.)
• a passport that is valid for at least six months after the date of re-entry
• an unexpired F-1 visa in the passport (except for Canadian citizens). If your F-1 visa is expired at the time of your reentry to the U.S. you must apply for a new F-1 visa to reenter the U.S.
• an OPT EAD issued by USCIS. Printed on the EAD is the statement "Not valid for reentry." This statement means that the EAD alone is not valid for reentry.          
• evidence of a job offer or evidence of resumption of employment 

Students who have the documents listed above may travel outside the United States and reenter even before the date their work permission begins. For example, an F-1 student who graduates in May with an OPT EAD that begins in July may travel and return to the United States any time after graduation. 

Entry to the U.S. in any status other than F-1 OPT will invalidate your OPT work authorization. 

Travel on Cap Gap Extension 

Generally speaking, you may travel abroad and seek readmission to the U.S. in F-1 status during a Cap-Gap period if: 

1.  your H-1B petition and request for change of status has been approved;
2. you seek readmission before your H-1B employment begins (normally at the beginning of the fiscal year, i.e., October 1); and
3. you are otherwise admissible. 

Please note, traveling outside the U.S. may interfere with the processing of your H-1B petition. HIO strongly advises that you consult with your employer and their legal counsel processing the H-1B regarding all travel plans before departing the U.S. Review the latest travel information from the USCIS. 

F-2 Dependents of Students on OPT 

• Valid Form I-20, signed on page 2 by an advisor in the HIO (the signature must not be more than six months old at the time of reentry to the United States)
• Valid F-2 visa in the passport (except for Canadian citizens)
• A passport that is valid for at least six months after the date of re-entry
• Photocopy of spouse's EAD 

Travel while STEM OPT application is pending, but before the Post-Completion OPT EAD expires 

You must have ALL documents listed below in order to travel and reenter the U.S.: 

• unexpired Post-Completion OPT EAD card
• a valid Form I-20, signed on page 2 by an HIO advisor (the signature must not be more than six months old at the time of reentry to the U.S.)
• a passport that is valid for at least six months after the date of re-entry
• an unexpired F-1 visa in the passport (except for Canadian citizens). If your F-1 visa is expired at the time of your reentry to the U.S. you must apply for a new F-1 visa to reenter the U.S. 

The above also applies to your F-2 dependents. 

Travel while STEM OPT application is pending, after the Post-Completion OPT EAD expires 

You can travel abroad and reenter the U.S. with your expired Post-Completion OPT EAD card and the original receipt notice for your STEM OPT application issued by USCIS. You cannot travel with an email or text confirmation, or a printout of your online case status, in lieu of the physical receipt notice. This only applies during the 180 day period of authorized employment while your STEM OPT application is pending. 

For reentry to the U.S. with a pending STEM OPT application, you should carry: 

• Expired Post-Completion OPT EAD card
• USCIS-issued receipt notice for your STEM OPT application
• a valid Form I-20, signed on page 2 by an HIO advisor (the signature must not be more than six months old at the time of reentry to the U.S.)
• a passport that is valid for at least six months after the date of re-entry
• an unexpired F-1 visa in the passport (except for Canadian citizens)*. If your F-1 visa is expired at the time of your reentry to the U.S., you must apply for a new F-1 visa with which to reenter the U.S. For instructions, please see below.
• Evidence of a job offer or evidence of resumption of employment. Please bring printed paystubs or an employment verification document to show that you have continued your employment at your reported employer while on STEM OPT. 

The above also applies to your F-2 dependents. 

*You can apply for a new F-1 entry visa using the documents listed above, including the expired Post-Completion OPT EAD card and the original receipt notice for your STEM OPT application issued by USCIS. You cannot apply for a visa with an email or text confirmation, or a printout of your online case status, in lieu of the physical receipt notice. Follow the regular procedures to apply for an F-1 visa outside of the U.S. 

If needed, the following guidance from the U.S. Department of State describes the ability to travel and apply for a renewed visa during the 180 day period following the expiration of your Post-Completion OPT EAD while your STEM OPT EAD is pending: Applicable Federal Guidance: U.S. Department of State Foreign Affairs Manual - 9 FAM 402.5-5(N)(6)(e) 

“As the STEM OPT extension is automatic for the first 180 days following regular post-completion OPT (when the student has properly filed Form I-765), the student may not necessarily have a renewed EAD. Therefore, any students having automatically authorized employment through the OPT extension may not be able to present a valid EAD when they apply to renew their visa. However, F-1 students in this situation can request an updated I-20 from the DSO, annotated for the STEM OPT extension, as well as proof that the I-765 petition was filed in a timely manner. You must confirm that the student’s electronic SEVIS record contains the same information as the updated hard copy Form I-20 before issuing a visa.” The preamble to the 24-month STEM OPT rule [81 FR 13103 par. 774] states: 

“Students on STEM OPT extensions (including those whose application for a STEM OPT extension is pending) may travel abroad and seek reentry to the United States in F-1 status during the STEM OPT extension period if they have a valid F-1 visa that permits multiple entries and a current Form I-20 Certificate of Eligibility endorsed for reentry by the DSO within the last six months. The student’s status is determined by CBP upon admission to the United States or through a USCIS adjudication of a change-of-status petition.” 

Travel after STEM OPT approval 

You must have ALL documents listed below in order to travel and reenter the U.S. while on an approved period of STEM OPT.  

• a STEM OPT EAD issued by USCIS. Printed on the EAD is the statement "Not valid for reentry." This statement means that the EAD alone is not valid for reentry.             
• a valid Form I-20, signed on page 2 by an HIO advisor (the signature must not be more than six months old at the time of reentry to the U.S.)
• a passport that is valid for at least six months after the date of re-entry
• an unexpired F-1 visa in the passport (except for Canadian citizens). If your F-1 visa is expired at the time of your reentry to the U.S. you must apply for a new F-1 visa to reenter the U.S. with.
• evidence of a job offer or evidence of resumption of employment. Please bring printed paystubs or an employment verification document to show that you have continued your employment at your reported employer while on STEM OPT. 

Entry to the U.S. in any status other than F-1 STEM OPT will invalidate your STEM OPT work authorization. Please bring printed paystubs or an employment verification document to show that you have continued your employment at your reported employer while on STEM OPT.  

F-2 Dependents of Students on STEM OPT 

• Valid SEVIS Form I-20, signed on page 2 by an advisor in the HIO (the signature must not be more than six months old at the time of reentry to the United States)
• Valid F-2 visa in the passport (except for Canadian citizens)
• A passport that is valid for at least six months after the date of re-entry
• Photocopy of spouse's EAD 

• Valid Academic Training DS-2019 signed once a year in the "travel validation" section by an HIO advisor or by your J-1 program sponsor*
• Valid J-1 visa in the passport (except for Canadian citizens)**
• Valid passport
• A letter from your employer as evidence of employment 

* If the HIO issued your DS-2019 it must be signed in the 'travel validation' section by an advisor in the HIO. If your form was issued by another Exchange Visitor Program (Fulbright, AMIDEAST, etc.) you should contact that organization directly to obtain travel signatures. 

**If you are on post-completion AT and have a pending or approved H-1B petition, you are required to prove ties to your home country. Please consult your HIO advisor before applying for an J-1 visa while on post-completion AT. 

You must not use a tourist visa unless you are truly tourists, and plan on abandoning your J-1 Academic Training. 

If your J-1 visa is expired at the time of your reentry to the U.S. you must apply for a new J-1 visa to cover your AT time. 

J-2 Dependents 

• Valid Form DS-2019 signed once a year in the "travel validation" section by a Responsible Officer of your spouse's Exchange Visitor Program
• Valid J-2 visa stamp in the passport (except for Canadian citizens)
• Valid passport 

It is not possible to apply for or renew non-immigrant visas inside the U.S. You must apply for a visa in a U.S. embassy or consulate outside the U.S. You may check the estimated wait time on the Department of State's Visa Appointment Wait Times website. Wait times may vary considerably among consular posts, and processing times indicated may not be accurate. Please see below for details.

• You must complete the DS-160 online visa application again to initiate the visa renewal process. The U.S. Department of State has compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions that may be helpful in completing the DS-160, including help for technical issues. Answers to frequently asked questions may also be found in our Visa Application and DS-160 FAQ.  Please also review the information on an Embassy’s website to prepare for required documents (e.g. Research plans for researchers).
• You must be present in the same country as the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to submit your visa application. You cannot mail your application from the U.S.
• You do not have to pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee again if you are an F-1 or J-1 visa holder and have already paid the SEVIS fee before, for the same SEVIS ID number.
• Depending on your field of study and your country of citizenship, you could be put through a security check, called administrative processing, which could delay your return to the University. Administrative processing can still occur regardless of whether you have cleared administrative processing on a previous visa application. Please keep that in mind when planning a trip.
• You should schedule your visa interview in your country of nationality or residence. If the place of application is based on your residence, you should be prepared to demonstrate residence in that country. If you are a national of a country in which the United States is not conducting routine nonimmigrant visa operations and you are not eligible to apply elsewhere based on residence, you must apply at the designated embassy or consulate for nationals of your country. Please consult the State Department's website for current designations.
• Please keep in mind that you must be able to prove your eligibility for a non-immigrant visa by presenting credible financial information along with the rest of your required documents indicated on the website of the U.S. embassy or consulate. You should also be prepared to answer questions regarding the length of your intended stay in the U.S. and how you will use your academic experience gained in the U.S. when you return to your home country. Consular officials expect to see evidence of your ties to your home country, such as family, property, employment, or bank accounts. If the consular official determines that you are not eligible for a non-immigrant visa because you have not presented sufficient evidence that you intend to return home, there is usually no recourse to the visa denial. You would have to submit a new visa application, during which time you are able to present new information that proves strong ties to your home country. You may also be asked to present evidence that you have maintained legal immigration status if you have worked, studied, or resided in the U.S. previously.
• If you are on F-1 post-completion OPT, STEM OPT, or J-1 Academic Training and have a pending or approved H-1B petition, you will still be required to prove ties to your home country. Please consult your HIO advisor before applying for an F-1 or J-1 visa while on post-completion OPT, STEM OPT or AT.
• Review these additional points to consider when renewing a U.S. visa.

In general, you will need the following in order to return to the U.S.:

• A passport that is valid for at least six months after the date of re-entry
• Unexpired U.S. visa (except for Canadian citizens)
• Unexpired immigration document (Form DS-2019, I-20, I-797)
• Updated travel signature* on Form I-20 or DS-2019 (in most cases no older than 12 months)

*If you will need a travel signature, please note the following information regarding how to obtain a travel signature:

• F-1 students and J-1 Exchange Visitors (Students/Scholars/Student Interns) may request a travel signature to be sent via email by completing the Travel Signature Request Form. If you have dependents, you do not need to submit a separate request for F-2 or J-2 signatures; all forms will be issued and sent to you automatically.
• You may also visit the HIO during our walk in travel signature and document pick up hours.

You should check your documents prior to making international travel plans. Note that it is also recommended that you take your visa documents for domestic travel outside the Boston metropolitan area. It is possible that a government official may request to see them even if you are staying within the U.S. when you travel.

If you are travelling with an expired travel signature on your Form I-20 or DS-2019, i.e. a travel signature older than 12 months at your time of reentry, the immigration officials at a U.S. port of entry have the discretion to readmit you for up to 30 days when you go through customs at the airport. In that case, you may be given the Form I-515A that has a 30-day admission period. It is very important that you report to the HIO immediately after you are back at Harvard. The HIO will give you instructions on correcting the I-515A to extend your permission to remain in the U.S.  It is essential that you submit your documents to an office in Washington, DC before the 30 days expire in order to maintain valid immigration status in the U.S.  Please contact your HIO advisor with any questions. 

If your passport is lost or stolen, either in the U.S. or while traveling, you must first contact the embassy or consulate of your own country to get instructions on how to obtain a new passport. Sometimes, the new passport may be in the form of a travel document or a temporary passport. 

If your visa documents (Form I-20 or DS-2019) have also been stolen or lost, you must contact your HIO advisor to request a replacement I-20 or DS-2019. 

Once you have your new passport and new I-20 or DS-2019, you must contact a U.S. embassy or consulate where you are and make an appointment to apply for a new F-1 or J-1 visa in your passport. You must have a valid F-1 or J-1 visa in order to reenter the U.S. If you are on any other immigration status such as H-1B or O-1, please reach out to your HIO advisor for instructions on how to replace your visa document. 

If you are outside the U.S. and realize you forgot or misplaced your Form I-20 or DS-2019, the HIO can send you a new Form I-20 or DS-2019 if there is sufficient time.  

You may submit request to receive a new Form I-20 or DS-2019 by email. Emailed I-20s and DS-2019s are considered official documents by the government, so long as you have sufficient time to print and sign the document prior to travel. 

If there is not enough time for us to send a new form to you, the immigration officials at a U.S. port of entry have the discretion to readmit you for up to 30 days when you go through customs at the airport. In that case, you may be given the Form I-515A that has a 30-day admission period. It is very important that you report to the HIO immediately after you are back at Harvard. The HIO will give you instructions on correcting the I-515A to extend your permission to remain in the United States.  It is essential that you submit your documents to an office in Washington, DC before the 30 days expire in order to maintain valid immigration status in the U.S.  Please contact your HIO advisor with any questions. 

The HIO has established an emergency telephone number to assist international students and scholars with travel emergencies only when the HIO is closed. For routine immigration questions, or any emergencies during the hours of 9:00 am - 5:00 pm ET, Monday to Friday, you must contact your HIO advisor, email internationaloffice@harvard.edu, or visit our virtual on call advising hours. During the time when the HIO is closed (including holidays), only call the emergency number if you experience: 

1. Loss of your passport or other important visa documents.
2. Visit by government official at home or on campus. If you are asked to sign anything and you are not sure if you should, politely ask the government official if you can call the HIO.
3. Detainment at a U.S. port of entry, such as an airport. If you are asked to sign anything and you are not sure if you should, politely ask the government official if you can call the HIO.
4. Threat of deportation or removal. If you are asked to sign anything and you are not sure if you should, politely ask the government official if you can call the HIO. 

This after hours emergency number (617-495-5400) must only be used for immigration and visa related emergencies that require an immediate response from the HIO when the HIO and University offices are closed. During regular office hours (Monday – Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm ET) or for non-emergency inquiries review our Contact Us page.