J-1 Visa Holders • Obtain a new DS-2019 form from PSU. • Attend International Student Orientation. • Be sure that the international student advisors at both the old and new schools are taking the necessary steps to complete the transfer. • Take your new DS-2019, passport and I-94 to check in at International Student Orientation. Transferring Away From PSU If you decide that you wish to transfer away from PSU, you must visit ISSS. ISSS may need to complete a transfer clearance form for your new college or university indicating that you have maintained your immigration status. Once you have been admitted to the new school you wish to attend, have given ISSS proof of your admission, and completed PSU’s Transfer Release Form, ISSS will transfer your SEVIS record to the new institution. Once ISSS has released your SEVIS record, we no longer have access to it and cannot retrieve it from the new institution. Please note: Your new school cannot issue a new I-20 to you or complete your transfer process until they have access to your SEVIS record.
Travel F-1 and J-1 visa holders If you leave the U.S. at any time during your studies and intend to re-enter, you must be in possession of a valid I-20 or DS2019 to present to immigration officials upon your return to the U.S border. If your I-20 or DS 2019 has changed substantially, you should obtain a new one from ISSS reflecting the new information. To travel outside the U.S., you need a valid I-20 or DS-2019 form, signed by an international student advisor in ISSS. This signature informs Customs and Border Protection officials that you are maintaining your immigration status at PSU. The signature, located on page three of your I-20 or in the bottom-right corner of your DS2019, is valid for 12 months. It is advisable, however, to get a new signature if the most recent travel endorsement is older than six months. You must also have the following documents when you attempt to re-enter the United States: • A valid passport with a validity period extending at least six months into the future. • A valid visa unless you are traveling to Canada or Mexico (see below). • A valid I-94. • Please note: You will surrender your I-94 card to the border officials when leaving the U.S. and receive a new one upon re-entry except when you travel to Canada or Mexico. • If you have been authorized for OPT you will also need your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card. 67