Documents Needed to Travel (Scholar)
Traveling soon? Learn what documents you will need to bring and show immigration when you return.
Before You Travel
This GlobalTravel website centralizes information and tools for all members of the Columbia community whose study, research, or teaching involves international travel.
CUIT (Technology Information) has compiled important considerations for the Columbia University community for protecting data security when you travel.
If you are entering the U.S. for the first time as a Columbia scholar, visit our Entering the U.S. page for scholars.
If you're traveling to a country other than your home country, check the website of your destination's NY-based consulate or embassy to learn about their visa requirements for visitors.
Documents Needed to Re-Enter the U.S.
- Unexpired passport (valid for at least six months beyond the date of travel to the U.S.)
- Unexpired visa (Canadians are exempt from visa requirement)
- Unexpired DS-2019 with travel signature
- SEVIS Fee Receipt
- Evidence of continued employment if you are working for Columbia (most recent appointment letter or 3 recent pay statements)
- Appointment letter or invitation letter from your department
- Unexpired passport (valid for at least six months beyond the date of travel to the U.S.)
- Unexpired visa (Canadians are exempt from visa requirement)
- Evidence of continued employment (most recent appointment letter or 3 recent pay statements)
- Original I-797 Approval Notice for H-1B/O-1 status
- Copy of Columbia's I-129 Petition H-1B/O-1 status
- Sponsor letter from academic department
- LCA (Labor Condition Application for H-1B status)
- Unexpired passport (valid for at least six months beyond the date of travel to the U.S.)
- Unexpired TN visa for Mexicans. Canadians are exempt from the visa requirement
- Evidence of continued employment (most recent appointment letter or 3 recent pay statements)
- Department letter offering TN employment including length of continued employment. TNs may be admitted for 3 years
- Educational credentials required for the TN profession (Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may require the originals)
- Refer to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) TN guidance on fees and entry requirements
- Unexpired passport (valid for at least six months beyond the date of travel to the U.S.)
- Unexpired visa
- LCA (Labor Condition Application)
- Sponsor letter from hiring department
- Copy of both I-797 Approval Notice and I-129 Petition, if an E-3 petition was filed on your behalf with USCIS. Not common.
- Evidence of continued employment (most recent appointment letter or 3 recent pay statements)
Are you traveling to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean Islands? Learn about certain provisions that allow return from these countries with an expired visa.
Do you need a new visa or is your visa expired? Read our page on how to get a new visa.
Dependents of Scholars: Documents needed to re-enter the U.S.
Look at the dropdown menus below to see what documents your dependent(s) must have in order to re-enter the U.S. Each visa dependent (spouse and children) must carry his/her original documents.
- Dependent's unexpired passport
- Dependent's unexpired J-2 visa (unless a citizen of Canada)
- Unexpired J-2 DS-2019 with a valid travel signature
- Dependent's unexpired passport
- Dependent's unexpired visa (H-4 / O-3 / E-3)
- Copy of Form I-797 Approval Notice for H-1 and O-1. E-3s will have an I-797 only if an E-3 petition was filed, which is not common.
Documents Recommended for Travel Within the U.S.
Domestic travel includes travel to any of the 50 states or travel to the U.S. territories (Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa).
Carry a copy of your documents with you in case you need to show evidence of your legal immigration status.
Travel FAQs
If a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer determines your documentation is incomplete, you may be issued a Form I-515A and a date-specific I-94 card for admission in J-1 status. This will grant you only 30 days instead of the usual duration of status (D/S). To have your legal status extended:
1. Follow the instructions on what to do if you get an I-515.
2. Submit the required documents before the expiration date of the I-94 card.
3. Visit us as soon as possible with an I-515. We will assist you with the documentation you need.
Sometimes scholars are sent to secondary inspection so that a port of entry officer can verify your status.
If you are sent to secondary inspection on multiple occasions, it may be helpful to file a report through DHS Trip.
