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,
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.
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:
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.
When you arrive in the US you will undergo immigration inspection by a US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer. However, you may experience difficulties or delays upon entering the US due to a variety of factors outside of your control. The International Center recommends that if possible, you organize your travel plans to time your arrival in the US during the Center's regular business hours (Mondays - Fridays, 9am - 5pm). If you are required to undergo additional inspection at a port of entry, you can request that a Customs and Borders Patrol Officer call the International Center at 617-627-3458.
If you encounter immigration problems upon arriving in the US, and are traveling outside of regular business hours, call the Tufts University Police Department (TUPD) at 617-627-3030.