Spring break is around the corner and if your students plan to travel outside of the United States, it is important for them to know what to expect when they re-enter the country.

As a designated school official (DSO), you can help your students prepare by reminding them what they will need to bring on their trip. Although they may not be asked to present all of these documents, students should be ready to show the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer the following when attempting to re-enter the United States:

• Their valid passport.
• An up-to-date and signed Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.”
• A letter of acceptance from their Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified institution.
• Applicable financial evidence.
• Their I-901 SEVIS Fee receipt (with a Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) ID on the receipt that matches the SEVIS ID on their current Form I-20).
• Emergency contact information for you, as their DSO, and for the SEVP-certified school.

The CBP officer will verify the student’s record in SEVIS and may ask them questions about their reason for entering the United States.

Remember to tell your students to hand-carry the above documents. They should not store them in luggage that they plan to check at a ticket counter or travel gate. If they do not have the necessary documentation when they attempt to re-enter the United States, they may be required to go through secondary inspection. The CBP officer could deny them entry into the country or issue them a Form I-515A, “Notice to Student or Exchange Visitor.”

Share these important reminders with your international students on social media using the hashtag #StudyintheStates.