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International Student and Scholar Services Office

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General Travel Requirements

Important Update Below

As of January 1st, 2026, the following countries are unable to apply for or renew their F or J Visas. It is advisable to seek immigration assistance prior to traveling outside the U.S. if you are a citizen from one of these countries below and do not hold a valid Visa.

Exceptions: The ban provisions are applicable only to nationals of the subject country who are outside the U.S. without a valid visa on January 1, 2026, the effective date of the December 16, 2025 Presidential Proclamation together with the original Proclamation on June 4th, 2025. There are categorical exceptions, such as for lawful permanent residents, dual nationals of a designated country when the individual is traveling on a passport issued by a non-designated country, asylees, refugees, diplomatic and international organization visas, athletes coming to participate in the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics, and some other categories.

Afghanistan Gabon Sierra Leone
Angola Haiti Somalia
Antigua and Barbuda Iran South Sudan
Benin Laos Sudan
Burkina Faso Libya Syria
Burma (Myanmar) Malawi Tanzania
Burundi Mali The Gambia
Chad Mauritania Togo
Cote d 'Ivoire Niger Tonga
Cuba Nigeria Turkmenistan**
Dominica Palestinian Authority Travel Documents Venezuela
Equatorial Guinea Republic of the Congo Yemen
Eritrea Senegal Zambia
    Zimbabwe


Attention: The following information assumes you:

  1. Have maintained your legal full-time student status in the U.S. AND
  2. Will be returning to resume studies at the school and for the degree for which your I-20 was issued OR have applied for and received your EAD card for post-completion Optional Practical Training.

If you do not meet these conditions, you should check with our office before traveling to determine if you are eligible for re-entry to the U.S. and/or if you need a new I-20 for legal admission.

Required Documents

  • Valid F-1 visa.
  • Valid passport.
  • Form I-20 for the University of Houston endorsed by an International Student Counselor within the last 12 months. If you have had an absence of more than 5 months outside the U.S. you will need to reenter using an I-20 designated "initial attendance." In this case, your immigration "time clock" begins again as if you were entering the U.S. for the first time. No off-campus employment will be allowed until you re-accumulate the required one full academic year of full-time student status.
  • Proof of financial support may be required.
  • Valid visa.
  • Valid passport.
  • Form I-20 for the University of Houston endorsed by an International Student Counselor within the last six months for reentry to resume Optional Practical Training.
  • Your Employment Authorization Document (EAD card).
  • Proof of employment may be required.

When traveling to Mexico or Canada or adjacent islands in the Caribbean (except Cuba) on trips of 30 days or less, you MAY not need a valid U.S. visa for reentry to the United States. For information required for travel and reentry under this category, please see Re-entry from Mexico and Canada.

Generally speaking, you do not need your immigration documents when you travel inside the U.S. To be prepared for the unusual possibility of an immigration check by U.S. officials, we recommend that you always carry photocopies of your passport (photo, signature, and expiration date pages), your I-94 card, and I-20 in your wallet or purse.