Travel
In order to maintain continuity in your visa status, it is important to enter the United States using your F-1 or J-1 student status throughout your program. Even during college breaks, you should enter in your student status.
Travel Documents
Common Problems at the Border
In Case of Emergency
If you ever have an emergency at the border, please contact the ISSO! We can be reached during business hours at +1.413.585.4905. If you experience problems after business hours, please call campus safety at +1.413.585.2490, and they will contact Dean Caitlin directly.
Family Travel for Graduation
In most cases, invitation letters are not required by U.S. Embassies or Consulates in order for family members of F-1/J-1 students to obtain visitor visas. However, in some circumstances, the consulate might ask for an invitation letter. In those cases, the ISSO can sign the below invitation letter for family members only.
Please download the below letter template (it will open in Google Drive - you will need to download it to complete, you cannot fill it out in a browser window) and fill it out with your/your family's information, print it out, and then drop it off at the Lewis Global Studies Center for a signature. We will email you when your letter is ready for pickup.
Family Graduation Invitation Letter Template (PDF)
*This letter has specific language for those graduating in the spring, so if you are a J-grad, email us at interstu@smith.edu and we can customize this letter for you.
Contact International Students and Scholars
125 Wright Hall
Smith College
Northampton, MA USA
Phone: 413-585-7598 Email: interstu@smith.edu
Open office hours: Schedule a meeting with Dean Caitlin or with Claire Seely when it’s convenient for you!