Faculty & Staff
International Services Portal

H-1B, TN, 01 Employee Guidance

COVID-19 Travel Requirement:

As of May 12, 2023, nonimmigrant travelers to the United States are no longer subject to the requirement that they be fully vaccinated with an approved COVID-19 vaccination before boarding an aircraft destined to the United States or before entering the United States through a land or ferry port of entry.

Please refer to the U.S. CDC website for further details and guidance on these requirements.

H-1, TN, J-1, E-3, O-1 Employee Guidance

Thomas Jefferson University employees sponsored on a visa (H-1, TN, J-1, E-3, or O-1) and plan to travel outside of the United States should follow the guidance below. Please keep in mind that the CBP officer at the port of entry decides whether to admit non-immigrants into the U.S. The facts and circumstances presented when you enter are the basis of this decision. OIA cannot guarantee that CBP will admit or re-admit you into the U.S. 

J-1 Scholars

J-1 Scholars traveling outside the U.S. for more than 30 days require J-1 Out-of-Country approval by the Office of International Affairs. J-1 Out-Of-Country requires confirmation that 1) travel is necessary for continuing the research or teaching activities listed in your J-1 program,  2) health insurance is maintained to meet the minimum J-1 health insurance, and 3) contact information and flight schedules are updated to the OIA, department, and HR.

Steps for International Travel

  • Discuss trip with supervisor, administrator, and Human Resources Business Partner and what will happen if you are abroad for an extended period. Employees are not permitted to work abroad.
  • Find out if there are visa requirements for your destination in advance.
  • Check travel advisories for your intended destination.
  • If you are a J-1 Scholar, submit an International Travel Registration request to the Control Center of the International Services Portal
  • Understand the risks of unexpected and sudden delays in returning to the U.S. In the event of a delay or changes to travel dates:
    • Resubmit an International Travel Request in the International Services Portal if your return trip to the U.S. is delayed or travel dates have changed.
    • Inform your supervisor, administrator, and Human Resources Business Partner.
  • Upon return, it is essential to check your I-94 record and ensure it says the correct status. Coming in on any other status (ex. B1, B2) than your actual status can have severe consequences for your record.
    • If your status is incorrect, call the PHL airport's Deferred Inspection Site at 215-863-4247 or email PhilaDeferredInspections@cbp.dhs.gov with scanned copies of your passport, biographic page, visa, admission stamp, boarding pass and description of the issue.

Recommended Documents

While in the U.S., passports should always be valid at least six months into the future for planned and unexpected international travel. Should you need to renew your passport, do so well in advance to account for processing times at your home country's embassy within the U.S. Contact your home country’s embassy for more information. 

A valid visa allows entry into the U.S.* Therefore, a valid visa stamp is required only for those who are traveling internationally and intend to return to the U.S. If your visa is expired and you intend to travel internationally, you must renew your visa outside of the U.S. and before returning. Check the website of the U.S. embassy in your home country and make a visa appointment before leaving the U.S. Check visa appointment wait times and take into consideration that many embassies worldwide are experiencing limited appointment availability which may result in delays in returning to the U.S.

*Canadian citizens do not require a visa.

The last three copies of your paystub can show proof of employment.

Should you have dependents under your status, the list of documents above is also applicable to dependents. Dependents are permitted to travel internationally without the primary status holder.

Individuals in J-1 status should have valid program dates with a travel signature no more than 12 months old at the time of re-entry to the U.S. 

Individuals in TN status who only have a valid entrance stamp do not need an I-797 Approval Notice.   

Individuals in H-1B status should take Original I-797 Approval Notice and a copy of the application packet that was provided with the I-797 (including I-129 and Labor Condition Application)

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