Information for International Scholars at UNLV

Travel Advisory for Scholars

The International Students and Scholars Office (OISS) recommends that you travel outside the U.S. only if you have all the documents related to your U.S. immigration status in order prior to your departure. You must visit our office with your passport and immigration documents at least two weeks before the date you plan to travel. We will review your documents, provide you with the appropriate visa documents and up to date travel advice, and sign your travel document (if necessary).

TRAVEL TIPS

• Always consult with an OISS advisor at least two weeks before you travel.
• Always carry your passport and valid immigration documents for travel within the U.S. and outside the U.S.; passports should be valid for at least six months into the future.
• Always carry proof of your UNLV employment or appointment (updated appointment letter from OISS or your department and/or recent UNLV paycheck stubs).
• Be honest, patient, and courteous with all government officials, even if they are not so with you.

DOCUMENTS NEEDED TO RE-ENTER THE U.S.

• Valid Passport
Your passport must be valid at least six months into the future at all times, especially upon re-entry to the U.S.

• Valid U.S. Entry Visa in Your Passport
The visa stamp in your passport should be valid on the date of your return to the U.S. (It does not, however, need to remain valid during your stay in the U.S.) If you have an old, expired passport with a valid U.S. entry visa, you do not need to get a new visa stamp in your new passport as long as you carry both passports when you enter the U.S. Canadian citizens do not need a U.S. visa. However, Canadian landed immigrants are required to obtain U.S. entry visas.

If you need to renew or apply for a U.S. entry visa, expect delays. Plan ahead, as this may take longer than in the past. Because most applicants are now required to appear for a personal interview, you should expect processing delays. In addition, “security checks” can delay visa issuance by three months or more. Check the U.S. Department of State’s website for standard visa procedures at each U.S. consulate or embassy.

For scholars conducting research in certain technologically sensitive fields on the Technology Alert List, the Department of State is required to conduct a security clearance prior to issuing an initial U.S. entry visa or visa extension through a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. A security clearance may take one month to several months. If you believe there is a possibility that a security clearance will be conducted, we recommend that you submit a letter from your faculty sponsor with your visa application. When in doubt, have your faculty sponsor write the letter. We recommend that the letter include the following information:

-A brief description of your research, in language a non-scientist can understand
-If applicable, the fact that you are conducting basic or unclassified research
-The fact that you are expected to return to UNLV to resume your research

H-1B scholars are able to renew or “revalidate” their H-1B visa stamp within the U.S. provided certain conditions are met. The H-1B’s passport must be valid for at least 6 months and it must contain a previous H-1B visa stamp. The H-1B visa may be revalidated if it has a remaining validity of not more than 60 days, or it has not been expired for more than one year. Please see the U.S. Department of State website for more information.

• Valid Visa Document

J-1/J-2 and F-1/F-2 documents: Those who are re-entering the U.S. must make sure their Form DS-2019 or I-20 has been properly endorsed (signed in travel section within one year of your intended re-entry date) by the school official or agency that issued the document. OISS generally recommends that the signature be current within six months of the re-entry date. If UNLV issued your visa document, bring it to OISS for a travel signature at least two weeks prior to your departure. Those with a visa document issued by another program sponsor will need to contact that sponsor at least two or three weeks before departure to obtain the necessary travel signature.

UNLV H-1B or TN documents: Contact OISS at least two weeks prior to your departure to receive the appropriate travel documents and instructions.

• Evidence of Financial Support
OISS recommends that J and F non-immigrants carry proof of the financial support and resources reflected on their visa documents (Form DS-2019 or I-20).

• Additional Information for Students
OISS recommends traveling with proof of the current semester’s registration (printout of full-time course enrollment) and letter from OISS. J-1 students on Academic Training should carry the letter from the OISS Responsible Officer authorizing their employment. F-1 students on Optional Practical Training should carry their work permit card (Employment Authorization Document or EAD).

Be prepared when you travel for the following possibilities:

• In-depth inquiries and increased review of documents at all port of entry for non-U.S. citizens.

• Multiple inspections by several Immigration and/or Customs officials.

• You may have your fingerprints scanned and a digital photograph taken upon entry to the U.S. as part of the US-VISIT program. You may also be required to comply with new “check-out” procedures when leaving the U.S.

• Unexpected temporary closures of U.S. embassies or consulates.

If you are subject to Special Registration…

Special registrants must use specific ports when leaving the U.S. to register their departure. Special registrants departing from McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas should report to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in the International Terminal (Terminal 2). Signs for Customs, INS (former name of ICE), and Agriculture on the Federal Inspections Services building are clearly displayed at the south end of the terminal. Enter the greeter lobby for the Federal Inspections Services building, then dial 3517 or 2225 on the white courtesy phone and ask to speak with an Immigration Officer. Telephone: (702) 736-2611. Hours of Operation: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. daily. More information about Special Registration is available on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website.

If you are Traveling to a Country OTHER than your Home Country…

You may need a visitor’s or transit visa in order to travel to countries other than your home country. To find out, visit that country’s embassy website at Foreign Embassies of Washington, D.C. and search for the consular section nearest you.

If you are traveling to the European Union and your home country is NOT within the E.U., you may apply for the Schengen visa, which permits travel within E.U. countries.

For the latest travel advisories, visit the U.S. Department of State’s website.