Planes, Trains & Automobiles!
Traveling outside of the United
States:
FAQs
for 'F-Nonimmigrant Entry and Exit' from SEVP
website
You must have all of the following to travel outside of
the United States:
- A passport valid 6 months in the future from your return
date.
- Valid I-20 with DSO signature on the first and third page
(signature on the third page is valid for a year from the date it
was signed), and your signature on the first page.
- Valid visa (if you are not leaving the US to renew your
visa).
Traveling outside the United States on
post-graduate OPT you must have:
- A passport valid 6 months in the future from your return
date.
- Valid visa (if you are not leaving the US to renew your
visa).
- I-20 with your OPT dates on the third page, with DSO signature
on the first and third page (signature on the third page is valid
for 6 months from the
date it was signed), and your signature on the first page.
- Letter from your employer stating that you are working or
scheduled to begin working for them on authorized OPT. Letter must
include dates of OPT.
- Employment Authorization Document (EAD card) issued by
USCIS.
- I-20 with your OPT dates on the third page, with DSO signature
on the first and third page (signature on the third page is valid
for a year from the date it was signed), and your signature on the
first page.
Traveling within the United States:
Traveling within the United States is much easier than outside
of the United States. You will not need any permission from the
International Student Services Office. Below are some helpful tips
on ways to travel within the US:
Planes:
The United States is very big. It takes about 20 hours to
get to Miami, Florida by car and about 36 hours to get to Los
Angeles by car. Although we have a train system, it is less
efficient than most other countries. For that reason, most
Americans travel by plane.
Along with that, there are no discount airlines in the United
States like there are in Europe. Flights are expensive. Visit the
Independent Traveler website for
tips for finding cheap airfare, There are also websites
dedicated to finding the best deals on flights nationally and
internationally. Here are just a few:
- Student Universe: This
site has deals exclusively for students. You must show proof that
you are a student when you purchase the ticket AND when you
check-in at the airport. (so make sure that you have your student
ID with you!). Also, you must be 25 years old or younger.
- Kayak: This site compares prices
from multiple discount ticket sites.
- Discount ticket sites (you can also book hotels to create
'vacation packages' on these sites):
-
I recommend that you compare the prices on the discount ticket
sites with the actual airline site, sometimes the airline will have
a cheaper rate.
Trains:
Although trains are not the primary or even secondary mode of
transportation for Americans, we do have a train system. For
destinations and times visit Amtrak.com.
Automobiles:
Buses:
- A cheap and usually efficient mode of transportation in the
U.S. is the bus.
- You can buy a bus ticket to Chicago (4 hours from Indianapolis)
for as little as $15 on Megabus. Other
bus companies include:
-
To rent a car in the United States:
- You must have a valid international or U.S. driver's
license.
- The minimum age requirement is 25 without additional charge, 21
for select vehicles and with additional charge.
- Most car rental agencies require a credit card to reserve the
car.
- Rental car agencies:
-
Find Affordable Places to Stay:
*Remember to visit the Office of International Student Services
if you have any questions regarding what you will need in
order to travel.