Traveling Outside the U.S.
Before you travel outside of the U.S. during your program, you must contact InterExchange for travel validation. A travel validation signature on your DS-2019 is required for any Intern/Trainee who wishes to travel internationally and return to the U.S. during their program. If you don’t obtain travel validation prior to traveling abroad, you may be subject to additional questioning at the border or even denied entry into the U.S. upon your return.
To obtain a travel validation signature, please email us at least one week prior to your intended departure date with your destination as well as the dates of your trip. We will then re-issue your DS-2019 with a travel validation signature. You will be able to access this updated form within your InterExchange portal. You must print the new DS-2019 Form and carry it with you on your trip along with your passport with valid J-1 Visa. A printed copy of your DS-2019 with travel validation is required for re-entry into the U.S.
NOTE: You may not be outside the U.S. or away from your internship/training program for more than 30 consecutive days.
Travel Validation signatures are good for 12 months. However, you should still inform us of any trips you take outside of the U.S., even if you have a recent signature.
When traveling internationally, use the following tips to facilitate smooth border crossings and ensure your safety:
- Keep your DS-2019 Form and your printed I-94 record with your passport at all times and in a safe place. Ensure that your passport is not expired.
- Ensure the “Entries” section of your J-1 visa contains an “M” for multiple entries and is not expired. If a specific number of entries is listed on your visa, that is the number of times you may enter the U.S. on that visa. If you do not have a multiple entry visa, you will need a new visa to re-enter the U.S. Similarly, if your J-1 Visa has expired, then you will need a new visa to re-enter the U.S.
- Determine if you will need a visa to enter other countries. To obtain a country’s visa entry requirements, you should contact the embassy or consulate of that country, located here in the U.S.
- Check for any travel alerts or safety advisories for the countries you will visit. You can find travel alerts on the U.S. Department of State website.
