Updated: April 25, 2023
F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors (students and scholars) need to show a valid travel signature on their Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 when returning to the US after brief trips.
Travel signatures are not required to depart the US; signatures are needed only upon returning to the US to resume F-1 or J-1 activities. You cannot get a travel signature on your I-20 or DS-2019 if you are leaving Tufts either indefinitely or permanently, or are no longer in valid status. Please consult with an International Center advisor if this applies to you.
All requests for travel signatures should be made online through our International Center Portal.
Step 1a (for F-1 students and J-1 Students): Submit a travel signature request by accessing your International Center Portal, navigating to the Request Center, and clicking on "Travel Signature Request."
Step 1b (for J-1 scholars, employees, and student interns): Submit a J-1 Scholar Travel Signature Request on the International Center Portal for Scholars.
Step 2: Once your request is received, an International Center advisor will review the request. It will ordinarily take 3 - 5 business days to process a travel signature request. Please note that travel signature requests are not processed during the weekends or on holidays.
Step 3: Once the request has been processed, an updated I-20 or DS-2019 form with a travel signature will be delivered to you electronically.