You are permitted to travel abroad and domestically while enrolled in school in the United States as an international student with an F-1 visa. You must be aware of and abide by U.S. immigration laws if you want to keep your student status, particularly if you plan to travel outside of the country.

Domestic Travel

  1. Valid Passport: You should always have a copy of your I-94 record and the passport page that contains your photo and biographical details. Maintain your passport in a safe place. 
  2. Real ID: valid Illinois driver’s Licenses/IDs can be used to board domestic flights until May 3, 2023. After that date, in order to board domestic flights, you must have a REAL ID DL/ID.

What documents do you need to re-enter the U.S.?

  1. Valid Passport: You should always have a copy of your I-94 record and the passport page that contains your photo and biographical details. Maintain your passport in a safe place. 
  2. Real ID: valid Illinois driver’s Licenses/IDs can be used to board domestic flights until May 3, 2023. After that date, in order to board domestic flights, you must have a REAL ID DL/ID.
  3. Recommended: A Financial Aid statement showing your current and/or following semester’s Financial Aid (email finaid@principia.edu to request the statement)
  4. Recommended: a recent transcript. Get a free copy from the Registrar’s Office
  5. Recommended: your I-901, proof that you paid the required SEVIS fee. Use the SEVIS ID at the top of your I-20 to obtain your I-901 when you click here.