Traveling Advisory

Traveling outside the U.S. 

• Always follow IPO's latest guidance. See the email sent to all international students (March 15 & 31, 2025 and November 15, 2024).

• Expect increased scrutiny at the airport and stricter adherence to regulatory requirements.  

• Required Documents - Do not pack these in your suitcase but have them ready to show at the port of entry. 

  1. Valid passport

  2. Valid/unexpired F-1 or J-1 visa stamp in your passport

  3. Valid I-20/DS-2019: signature by DSO/RO (IPO staff) every twelve months for continuing students.  Graduated students engaging in OPT or STEM Extension need a new signature on the I-20 every 6 months.

  4. Recommended supporting documents (Oxy I.D., financial documents submitted upon acceptance, and a print out from myOxy of past and registered classes). 

• Questions not addressed here? Stop by IPO or submit this form.

• DIFFICULTY at the PORT OF ENTRY? - Call Campus Safety (323-259-2511 or 323-259-2599) who will contact IPO!

Consider Personal Risk Factors & Tolerance

People who intend to leave and re-enter the U.S. for any reason or duration - including participation in an Occidental College funded or approved program (study, internship, or research abroad) - should consider increased risks of delay and denial at U.S. Ports of Entry in light of their personal risk factors and tolerance. Media sources report an increase in the number of repatriations/entry denials for a broadening range of reasons.

Carefully consider these personal risk factors:

• Is my passport/citizenship on the list of countries under consideration for the travel ban? 
• Even if I am a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, could prior travel to those potential travel ban countries increase my chance of detention or denial at a U.S. Port of Entry?
• If I have dual citizenship (U.S. citizenship and another country) with a country on that list, could that increase my chance of repatriation, detention, or denial?
• If I am an F or J visa student, have I carefully reviewed the IPO guidance (regular, direct email) and prepared my documents for re-entry?
• Have I engaged in any activities that the government may consider to be unlawful?
• If my phone or social media is checked, could anything stored there be flagged by government officials?
• Is my passport current or expired?
• If my passport has an “X” gender marker, will I have to provide documentation to support my gender assigned at birth?

Traveling within the U.S.

• Please carry your immigration documents (I-20 or DS-2019, passport, I-94 information), or minimally copies of these documents.