International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) looks forward to welcoming and welcoming back our international students and scholars for the Fall 2026 semester at Brown!

As you prepare for your initial arrival or your return to campus, now is a good time to review the requirements for entry into the United States. 

New Students and scholars (Initial Arrival)

If you are a new student or scholar making your initial arrival in the U.S., you should be prepared to show the following documents. Carry them as hard copy documents (not as electronic documents) and do not store them in your checked luggage.

• Your unexpired and valid passport
• A valid and unexpired F-1 or J-1 entry visa (exception: Canadian citizens do not require visas to enter the U.S.)
• Your Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 issued for your Brown program
• Your I-901 SEVIS Fee payment receipt
• Your Brown admission letter or Brown appointment letter
• Financial documents (e.g., scholarship or appointment letter, bank statements, etc.)

current students and scholars (re-entry)

Current students and scholars should be prepared to present the same documents listed above. Students should also consider carrying a transcript and/or a copy of their course registration for the upcoming Fall 2026 semester.

Travel Signatures: Please check your Form I-20 or DS-2019 now to see if you need to update your travel signature prior to your return. Travel signatures on Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 should be no more than one year old on the date of re-entry, or six months old for students on post-completion Optional Practical Training.

To request an updated travel signature, follow the instructions on our Requesting a Travel Signature web page. Please note that travel signature requests require a minimum of three business days for processing. Requests are not processed after hours or on weekends and holidays. If you find that you are missing a travel signature and cannot obtain one during normal business hours, read the instructions on our Requesting a Travel Signature page regarding entry into the U.S. without a travel signature, using Form I-515A.

Understanding the Arrival and Immigration Inspection Process

For additional information about required documents for entry, and about the U.S. immigration inspection process, refer to our travel resource pages for students and scholars:

• Travel Resources for International Students
• Travel Resources for International Scholars

after arrival: print out and review form i-94 arrival record

Students and scholars should print out and review their Form I-94 after each arrival to ensure that the information is accurate. The I-94 information should indicate either “F-1” or “J-1” in class of admission (or F-2 / J-2 for dependents), and an “Admit Until Date” of D/S, if entering the U.S. before September 15, 2026. Anyone entering the U.S. after September 15 will have an “Admit Until Date” based on their I-20 or DS-2019 completion date, up to a four year maximum. 

Please be sure to check your I-94 after arriving or returning to the U.S., and contact ISSS if there are any questions regarding the information on your document. After reviewing the form, keep an electronic copy on your phone and a printout in your personal bag or backpack. You may be asked to present your I-94 record at different times as evidence of your legal stay in the United States.

Contact ISSS

We wish you a safe journey to campus. Please don't hesitate to reach out to ISSS at isss@brown.edu if you have any questions about visa and immigration requirements for Fall arrival.

Sincerely,

International Student and Scholar Services