If you plan to travel during the upcoming Harvard Winter Recess, we wish you safe travels. The Harvard International Office (HIO) is dedicated to supporting you during this busy travel season and during the break in academic activities on campus. We know that your international travel necessitates a lot of planning and coordination on your end. With that in mind, HIO is available to help you navigate your considerations both in advance and during your travel. 

Here's a quick guide on travel documents that you will need as you complete your travel and return when academic activities resume in January.  If you have questions after reviewing this information, please contact your Advisor. We’re here to help.     

Traveling Within the U.S.: Check the HIO website for the documents you'll need for domestic travel.  

Traveling Outside the U.S.: Make sure you have all the required immigration documents for your visa type. Review the HIO website for the full list. This is a good time to double-check your passport and visa validity. If you need to renew an F-1 or J-1 visa, you should prepare for potential delays; the U.S. consulates abroad experience high volumes of visa applications during the holiday season.  

Must-Have Travel Signature: If you're an F-1 or J-1 visa holder (including dependents), your F-1 I-20 or J-1 DS-2019 needs a valid travel signature. This signature is valid for 12 months or until your program end date, whichever comes first. Check your latest I-20 or DS-2019 to ensure your travel signature is current. Fulbright-sponsored? Contact your Fulbright representative for this. 

How to Get Your Travel Signature:  

Electronic Requests:  

• Use the HIO Travel Signature Request Form.  

• We'll review your request and will email you the signed form within 5-7 business days.  

• Dependents' signed forms are automatically included.    

In-Person Options:  

Cambridge:  

• Drop by the Smith Campus Center, Suite 864 (8th floor), Monday-Friday, 12pm-2pm (no appointment needed). Main entrance is at 1350 Massachusetts Ave.  

Longwood:  

• We’re there every other Wednesday, 1pm-3pm. Check the HIO website for upcoming dates.  

Transiting Through a Third Country: Traveling through a country that’s not your home? Make sure you know their visa rules.   
 

 Issues While Traveling: Lost documents or emergencies? Check our Issues While Traveling FAQ.
 
Since our last message earlier in November, many of you have asked questions about potential changes to immigration policies. While we don’t have any update on the topic, we continue to monitor the situation closely and are prepared to communicate any changes and to respond with resources and support as necessary. Also, HIO will be available to help you understand how any potential changes affect your individual circumstances before you make any travel arrangements. 

Our recurring advice to those who share concerns about situations that would disrupt or delay your return from break is to budget time ahead of the semester start, prior to the January Martin Luther King holiday.  For example, undergraduate dorms reopen to all on January 17. We urge you to contact your HIO advisor if you have questions or concerns. 

The Harvard international student and scholar community is essential to the life and work of the University, and we look forward to continuing to be a resource and a source of support now and in the coming year.