Office of Global Engagement
International Students and Scholars
December 2, 2024

Winter Break Travel Guidance for International Community

News & Alert

Sent on behalf of the Office of Global Engagement

Winter Break Travel Guidance for International Community

 December 3, 2024

As members of our international community prepare for Winter Break travel, we are reaching out to provide information and guidance, share important reminders, and direct you to available resources.

During previous federal government transitions, international faculty, students, staff and scholars have experienced travel disruptions and uncertainty based on policy changes that impact travel and visa processing. To avoid potential travel disruptions during this transition, members of the international community may wish to return to Providence before Monday, January 20, 2025.

It is important to note that at this time, no travel restrictions or bans have been announced or confirmed. Thus, this guidance is precautionary only. However, based on previous travel restrictions and bans, we encourage international faculty, students, staff and scholars from countries designated as “countries of particular concern” or “special watch list countries” by the U.S. Secretary of State — such as Algeria, China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and others — or from countries impacted by past federal travel restrictions —  including Eritrea, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Libya, Myanmar, Nigeria, North Korea, Tanzania, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen – to be aware of potential travel restrictions or bans.

General Travel Reminders

For all international community members intending to travel outside of the United States over Winter Break, it is important to keep in mind the following guidance and reminders:
 

  • Anticipate Delays: Be prepared for longer wait times and potential delays at U.S. Customs and Border Protection upon re-entry to the United States. Allow extra time for connecting flights and security screenings.
  • Carry Required Documents: Bring all necessary travel documents, including:
    • Your passport and visa, and other pertinent immigration documents as applicable
    • Enrollment or employment verification (such as, appointment letters for faculty and staff, or transcript, evidence of funding and letter of enrollment verification for students)
    • A valid travel signature from OISSS on your travel document I-20/DS-2019 (obtain one, if you have not done so), as applicable. To confirm if you need a travel signature, check your most recently-issued I-20 or DS-2019 for the date of your most recent travel endorsement, found in the "Travel Endorsement" section on page 2 on the I-20, or in the "Travel Validation" section on page 1 of the DS-2019. To request a travel signature, students should visit the OISSS Gateway to submit an electronic signature request form
       
  • Submit Travel Registration: All travelers on Brown-related travel (i.e., research, conference or other qualifying program/business-related travel), irrespective of visa and immigration status, are required to register their travel with Brown’s Office of Global Travel Operations, Risk & Resilience. For more information about qualifying travel, please visit Brown Travel and to register your travel, visit TravelSafe Registration 

 

  • Note Your Emergency Contacts: Have a list of your personal emergency contacts, including the contact for Brown’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) and Administrator on Call (AOC), both available 24/7.The DPS and AOC contact information is also printed on the back of your Brown ID card.

 

For more travel planning guidance, please visit Brown’s International Travel resources website. 

 

Winter Break Support

International students who reside in campus housing can apply for Winter Break housing, which includes options to:

  • Remain in the residence halls after they close for the fall semester on Sunday December 22, 2024, at 12 pm ET.
  • Arrive early before the spring semester. Campus residence halls will reopen on Saturday January 18, 2025, at 8 am ET for returning students and Thursday, January 16, 2025, at 8 am ET for new transfer and visiting students.
  • Remain on campus for the entire Winter Break.

The Winter Break Housing request form remains open; reviews of requests will begin December 4, 2024, and continue until all requests are processed. Eligible students are encouraged to submit their requests before December 20th. Visit the ResLife Winter Break Housing website for details and to apply. For all international students who are staying in Providence over the Winter Break, Campus Life and the Global Brown Center will provide details about Winter Break events and available resources in the coming week.

Please know that there are many offices and staff available to support you as you consider your Winter Break international travel plans and needs, and Brown is committed to providing you with guidance and support.

For your specific questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact one of the offices below: