Traveling Outside and Re-entering the United States

Things to consider before traveling abroad:

Visa Requirements

Many countries require visitors to obtain visas before they enter the country. A visa however, is not a guarantee of entry for the immigration on arrival has the right to refuse entry. Visas are issued by consular offices of a government. A processing fee is usually required when you apply for a visa.

If your U.S. visa has expired, and you want to visit Canada, Mexico or other adjacent islands except Cuba, please read the Automatic Extension Visa Validity Law.

If you are traveling to:

• Canada,
  • Find out if you require a visa
  • link to downloadable visa application forms
• Mexico,
  • Find out if you require a visa (Go to the "Visa Section" on side menu)
  • download a visa application form
• United Kingdom,
  • Find out if you require a visa and apply online
• other countries not listed above,
  • visit embassy.org for links to foreign embassies on the web
  • or obtain contact information of consular offices in the U.S.

Travel Advisories

Read the travel advisories issued by the U.S. State Department

Helpful Travel Links

• Hobbit Travel (MN Travel Company), Hotwire (Internet Low Airfares site)
• Amtrak (National), Light Rail Transit, Metro Transit (MN), Greyhound (Coach Service)
• MSP International Airport
• Lonely Planet Travel Site
• Subway Maps of the World
• Currency Converter
• Global Phone Cards - Zaptel , Nobelcom, Callingcards
• Worldwide Weather - Yahoo! Weather

Re-entry to the United States:

Documents you should bring along when you travel overseas as a student at Macalester:

• A valid passport at the time of re-entering the United States – Renew your passport through your consulate or embassy if needed (U.S. law requires passports from many countries to be renewed 6 months before the expiration date).
• A valid U.S. visa at the time of re-entering the United States
  • If you are returning from Canada or Mexico, you are allowed to reenter the United States with an expired visa provided that 1) your absence did not exceed 30 days 2) you are not a citizen of Iraq, Iran, Syria, Libya, Sudan, North Korea and Cuba.
• A valid I-20 with a signature of Aaron Colhapp, ISP Director, Nienke Wijnia, ISP Administrative Assistant, or Bruce Gawtry, ISP Immigration Specialist. If you leave for longer than 5 months and do not continue enrollment at Macalester (with a leave of absence), you must have a new I-20 issued in order to re-enter.

Recommended documentation:

• Letter of good academic standing
• Financial support letters
• Transcript