Travel Advisory -- Students and Winter Break 2007

The following information contains important advice for international students who plan to leave the US for winter vacation and return in January of 2007. Advice is offered for two classifications of students: (1) those who have expired visas, and (2) those who have valid visas.

Students With Expired Visas

Students with expired visas should weigh the risks of leaving the US for the winter break. US embassies and consulates will be be very busy and operating on a limited schedule during the holiday/winter break period. Security will be high and visa renewal could be difficult or impossible if the embassy should close for security reasons. International Students and Scholars staff do NOT recommend that students travel outside of the United States during the winter break if they have an expired visa. Waiting until the summer vacation would be safer.

Students with expired visas who chooses to leave the US for winter break do so at their own risk. Students should take all of the documents listed below (See Required Documents) and be prepared to outline plans to US Embassy staff. Students should also visit the US Embassy immediately upon arrival in their home country and begin the visa application process.

Students with Valid Visas

Local Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials believe that students with valid visas and with proper documentation should have no difficulty in returning to the US following winter vacation. They emphasize, however, that students' papers will be under closer scrutiny and that all documents should be "in order."

Students with valid F-1 student visas should be able to return to the US without visiting the US Embassy or Consulate in their home country. However, students should make sure that they have the following documents with them before boarding their return flight to the US.

Required Documents

1. A valid passport (valid for at least six months past the planned re-entry date).
2. A visa valid on the scheduled day of re-entry to the US. (Students should make sure that they have a "multiple-entry" visa or that they have not previously exceeded the number of permitted entries).
3. An I-20 form signed recently by International Students and Scholars (ISS) staff.
4. A letter of "good standing" from ISS.
5. A transcript of all previous work at Lewis & Clark (and at other schools you have attended).
6. Proof of pre-registration for next semester. (This can be printed from the web).
7. Proof of finances: Be sure to include: (a) bank statements less than six months old; (b) financial aid letters, if applicable; (c) letters from sponsors if applicable; (d) proof of scholarships, if applicable; and, (e) a "zero-balance statement" from the Cashier's Office indicating that the student has paid "in full" for the fall semester
8. Students on Optional Practical Training should have: (a) a valid EAD card; (b) a letter from their employer stating that they are employed, the job description, and the dates of employment. (Be sure the dates match the EAD card dates).

Additional Advice

Students traveling abroad should be calm and very patient. Students may be interviewed and their luggage opened and searched. Students should be cooperative and make no jokes about security. Students should be well prepared to talk about their educational goals, their intent to return to their home country following graduation, and their career plans once they have returned to their home country.