Emergency Information

Obtaining a Replacement I-20/DS-2019 with Valid Travel Signature While Outside US

If you are outside the US and discover your Form I-20 (or DS-2019) has been lost, or that your document is missing an updated travel signature, you can request a new I-20 or DS-2019 with an updated travel signature from the International Center. To request a replacement form with an updated travel signature,

• Submit an online request for an updated I-20 or DS-2019 with a Travel Signature through our Travel Signatures page
• If there is sufficient time, the International Center will send you an updated I-20 or DS-2019 with a travel signature
  • • For F-1 students, I-20s may now be delivered to you electronically. Once you receive the electronic I-20, you must print it out and sign it at the bottom of page 1.
• For J-1 students and scholars, effective April 27 2023, your DS-2019 may be delivered to you electronically. Once you receive the electronic DS-2019, you must print it out and sign it at the bottom of page 1.
• If there is not sufficient time before your expected return date, please read the information below about "Form I-515A"

Form I-515A: 30 Day Admission into US

In certain circumstances, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may choose to allow you to enter the US as an F-1 student or J-1 exchange visitor, even if you are missing your Form I-20 or DS-2019, or if your I-20/DS-2019 does not have a valid travel signature. In these cases, you may ask the CBP officer to issue Form I-515A to you, which will allow you to enter the US for a period of thirty (30) days. During this 30-day period, you must submit additional evidence to the US Department of Homeland Security. Report to an International Center location immediately following your return to Tufts so that we can assist you in having the 30-day limitation removed. Failure to respond within the 30-day period may lead to your losing your status and being found unlawfully present in the US.

If you are outside the US and discover that your passport or visa is expired, or that your passport is lost or stolen, you will likely need to delay your return date until you can get a replacement passport from your home government. You may also need to apply for a new visa to be able to re-enter the US.

• Contact the International Center at internationalcenter@tufts.edu and provide details regarding your situation, including your travel location and travel dates
• If your passport was lost or stolen, file a report with the local police or follow your government's appropriate reporting procedures for lost or stolen passports. If traveling in a third country, a police report may help to facilitate replacement of your passport.
• Contact your country's embassy or ministry responsible for issuing passports. Request emergency assistance if needed.
• Once you have your new passport, contact the US consulate in your country or in the country you are traveling in for assistance in obtaining a new F-1 or J-1 visa. Depending on country, location, and travel dates, your ability to return on time may be delayed.
• Contact your department and/or instructors to let them know if you will be delayed and unable to rejoin classes on time, if needed.

If you need to depart the US due to an emergency in your home country, and are unable to come to the International Center in person before you need to leave, take these steps:

• Notify the International Center by email at internationalcenter@tufts.edu. Provide your full name, Tufts ID number, and a description of your travel plans and the expected duration of your absence (departure and return date) from the US.
• Contact your academic or department advisor (for students) or department host or supervisor (for employees) to let them know about your emergency travel needs and expected return date.

Once this information is received, a member of the International Center staff will review your case and respond to you regarding your travel situation. Please continue to monitor your Tufts email account, if possible, for instructions and updates. It is not necessary for you to delay your departure to get a travel signature on your I-20 or DS-2019, as these can be provided to you by email even after you have departed the US.

Depending on the length of time you are outside the US, you may be advised to temporarily withdraw from classes or take a leave of absence.