Whenever you plan to travel in future, you must notify International Scholar Services that you will be departing the USA, at least 2 – 4 weeks prior to departure.
If you plan to apply for or renew your visa stamp while traveling, then you will need to borrow your Form I-797 Approval Notice. Please note that you may not drop by without warning to borrow this — the request and pickup must be logged in our systems. You also may require an Employment Verification Letter from your department. See our discussion on visa applications for more information.
H-1B, TN, E-3 or O-1 workers also must update International Scholar Services when you return to the USA from international travel (including to Canada).
Accessing and reviewing your I-94 Record is critically important following re-admission to the USA.
J-1 Exchange visitors (and their J-2 dependents) must have a travel signature on their DS-2019 from the International Scholar Services office in order to be re-admitted to the USA after temporary travel outside the USA.
If a J-1 scholar or J-2 dependent has a travel endorsement in the "Travel Validation by Responsible Officer" in the lower right corner of their DS2019, that endorsement is valid for a one year period from the date that it has been signed or until the expiration date of the DS2019, whichever comes first. The expiration date is given in item #3 of the DS2019. Following are exceptions to this one-year endorsement.
On the date that the J-1 ends their J program, the endorsement is no longer valid (for both the J-1 and all J-2s, if any). This date may be the end date on the DS2019 or sooner.
If the visa stamp in their passport has expired, the J-1 or J-2 will need to apply for a re-entry visa at a US Embassy or Consulate abroad. The link at the end of this sentence has online instructions written for students applying for a new visa, but the basic principles are the same: Renewing Your Student Visa
If the department terminates the J-1's program, the DS2019 is no longer valid (again for both the J-1 and J-2s, if any). It is imperative that J-1s in such a situation talk with an Immigration Counselor in ISS concerning their nonimmigrant status.
If a J-1 or J-2 is traveling to Canada or European countries and needs a visa stamp, that country might require a signature on the DS2019 within the current semester before granting a visa. Of course, if the J-1 is from that country, a visa stamp is not required. Please check with the consulate of the country to confirm what is required for a visa.
If a J-1 Visiting Scholar is outside of the US for more than 21 days, the reason for such a long departure must be evaluated to determine if the J program is maintained. A Visiting Scholar is a non-paid, courtesy position which does not receive a paycheck from payroll, though the department may paid a living stipend. If a Visiting Scholar is outside the US for non-personal reasons, such as awaiting visa approval or working on a collaborative project between Purdue and the scholar's home institution, ISS will need written confirmation for such situations to document the continuation of the J-1 program. Please speak with an ISS counselor during a walkin session or email IntlScholars@Purdue.edu for advice on documenting the continuation of the J program overseas.
If one of these situations applies and a J-1 or J-2 plans to travel outside of the US, please consult with an ISS counselor before using the endorsed DS2019 to reenter the US.
Whenever you plan to travel in future, you must notify International Scholar Services that you will be departing the USA, at least 2 – 4 weeks prior to departure.
When you re-enter the USA, you must access and review your I-94 Record to ensure it is accurate.