September 23, 2026

Policy Notice: Travel Signature Request Rules and Processing Hours

International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) enforces the following policy regarding Form I-20 and Form DS-2019 travel signature requests from students:

• Processing Window: Travel signatures are processed during standard business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM). Processing requires 3 to 5 business days; same day requests cannot be accommodated. ISSS staff are not able to process travel signatures after hours, overnight, on weekends, or during university holidays. 
• Student Responsibility: Students are solely responsible for planning ahead and submitting travel signature requests well in advance of re-entering the United States. 
• Required Submission Method: All student travel signature requests must be submitted through the ISSS Gateway in accordance with the steps on our Requesting a Travel Signature webpage. Requests sent via email, phone, or direct message cannot be processed.

Entering the U.S. Without a Recent Travel Signature

Travel signatures are valid for up to one year (for continuing students) or six months (for students on post-completion OPT or post-completion Academic Training). If you are returning to the U.S. and did not submit a timely request for a travel signature, please be aware that this is not considered a travel emergency. You may still enter the U.S. by:

1. Presenting alternative evidence of your enrollment (such as an official transcript or current course enrollment verification), and/or
2. Requesting a Form I-515A from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer at the port of entry, which grants temporary entry and provides a 30-day window to obtain an updated signature from ISSS upon your return.

Students on post-completion OPT may show their unexpired Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card with evidence of employment, such as a letter from your OPT employer.

To ensure that the University's public safety resources are used appropriately, students should not contact the Department of Public Safety to request a travel signature. Students should submit the request through ISSS Gateway, at which point the request will be processed within the timeframe indicated above.