International Student Travel
F-1 International students are able to travel during the time of study but are only authorized to travel during approved college breaks or annual vacations. Per F-1 regulations F-1 students cannot switch their enrollment to 100% online to accommodate travel plans. Individual professors cannot approve F-1 students to travel outside of the approved dates or give the F-1 student permission to complete the course work 100% online for their traditional/bended course work. Students must receive permission from the Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) to travel outside of the communicated approved dates listed below. It is the student’s responsibility to communicate absences from class to the professors. The PDSO may request further information from the student and faculty when reviewing any requests to travel outside of the approved dates.
| Break/Holiday | Start (earliest departure) | Housing Closure | Return (deadline to return to U.S.) | Housing Opens | Class Resumes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer Break 2025 | May 8, 2025 | May 9, 2025, at 1 p.m. | August 23, 2025 | August 22, 2025, at 9 a.m. | August 25, 2025 |
| Thanksgiving Break 2025 | November 25, 2025 (after last class) | November 25, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. | November 30, 2025 | November 30, 2025, at noon | December 1, 2025 |
| Winter Break 2025 | December 12, 2025 | December 12, 2025, at 1 p.m. | January 11, 2026 | January 11, 2026 | January 12, 2026 |
| Spring Break 2026 | March 6, 2026 (after last class) | March 6, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. | March 15, 2026 | March 15, 2026, at noon | March 16, 2026 |
| Summer Break 2026 | May 8, 2026 | May 8, 2026, at 1 p.m. | TBD | TBD | TBD |
International students who are traveling outside of the U.S. must submit a travel itinerary (copy of your travel arrangements) and receive a travel signature on their I-20 at least 3-5 business days prior to leaving the country.
Travel Signature:
- PDSO/DSO signature is required on the second page of your I-20 authorizing your travel.
- Students should plan ahead to receive their travel signature at least 3-5 days before they plan to depart.
- The International Student Program (ISP) office sends available travel signature days to current students each term by email in preparation for all school breaks. Students should watch their Blinn student email for this list of days ISP staff are guaranteed to be available for signatures.
- Students can request their travel signature outside of the scheduled travel signature days, but we cannot guarantee ISP staff will be available and the student may have to leave their I-20 at the Enrollment Services counter and return for it once it is signed.
- Travel signatures are good for one year, you do not need a new signature as long as your travel dates (both departure and return) fall during the year that the signature is valid.
- To receive a signature, you must submit your travel itinerary that shows both departure and return flight information. Dates of travel must fall within the approved break dates listed above.
Travel Itinerary:
- If you need a travel signature you must bring your printed itinerary showing both departure and return flight information with you when you submit your I-20.
- If you already have a valid travel signature then submit your itinerary to international@blinn.edu a minimum of 3 - 5 business days prior to any travel.
- You may use the flight itinerary sent to you when you booked your flight. Make sure to include both your departure and return plans.
- Travel will not be approved if the departure and return plans do not fall within the approved break dates listed above.
- If traveling by car, your itinerary must indicate the date of departure and return; port of re-entry; and the make and model of the vehicle.
What to Take with You:
- Passport - valid as long as it is at least 6 months before the expiration date.
- Visa - valid as long as your planned return date is prior to the expiration date. If your visa has expired, you will need to renew it in your home country before you will be allowed back into the U.S.
- I-20 Form - valid if it is signed on the front page and the program end date is after your return date. You also must have a travel signature on the second page that is dated within the last year.
- If you are renewing your visa while you are traveling you will need to request an enrollment verification letter from the International Team. Submit an Official Letter Request form from the Resources section of this page.