Travel without Required Documents

Didn’t have all your documents with you when you last entered the US as an international student? Received an I-515A from the officer at the immigration check? Find out what to do now if you received an I-515A at the border.

What the I-515A Is

If you try to enter the US without all your required documents or with unsigned or missing information, the US immigration officer may deny your entry into the US. As an alternative, the officer might issue you a Form I-515A, which allows you temporary entry into the US for 30 days.

Within 30 days of your entry, you must submit your I-515A and supporting documents to the US government. If you don’t, the government will automatically END your immigration record and you will then have no legal status in the US.

What to Do if You Received an I-515A

If you have no immediate plans to travel outside the US:

Check to make sure you have a valid travel signature on your I-20 or DS-2019. If you don’t, submit the OGS Travel Signature Request eform for an updated I-20 with travel signature.
Make copies of your documents to keep as records:
- I-515A
- I-94 record
- I-20 or DS-2019 with valid travel signature
Send these original documents using private courier service (such as FedEx/UPS) to:
- Attn: SEVIS/I-515A Processing Team
  Student and Exchange Visitor Program DHS/ICE
  500 12th Street SW STOP 5600
  Washington, DC 20536-5600
- Save a copy of your shipping receipt as proof that the documents were sent on time.
Wait for the documents to be processed. The US government will update your documents to show F-1 or J-1 D/S (meaning “duration of status” showing that you can remain in the US for as long as your I-20 or DS-2019 is valid), and mail them to the OGS. We will email you when your documents are ready to be picked up.
If you mailed your documents and then will travel outside the US before you get your I-20 or DS-2019 back from the government, please submit the OGS Travel Signature Request eform for an updated I-20 with travel signature. We will let you know how to inform the government. We will also help you get a new I-20 for your travels.

If you plan to travel outside of the US before the I-515A expiration date:

Check to make sure you have a valid travel signature on your I-20 or DS-2019. If you don’t, submit the OGS Document Release eform for an updated I-20 with travel signature.
Make copies of your documents to keep as records:
- I-515A
- I-94 record
- I-20 or DS-2019 with valid travel signature
If you will travel outside the US before the I-515A expiration date listed on your I-94, email scanned copies of these documents to:S
- Email address: SEVIS.I-515@dhs.gov
- Subject line: Attn: I-515A Processing Team
Documents to scan and email:
- A copy of your flight itinerary confirming your departure on your upcoming trip
- The I-515A
- I-94 record
- I-20 or DS-2019 with valid travel signature