Definition
Students and dependents in F-1 or J-1 status may re-enter the United States with an expired visa after traveling solely to Mexico, Canada, or an adjacent island* if the travel is for 30 days or less.
How to Receive this Benefit
An individual in F-1 or J-1 status is eligible for this "automatic extension of visa" provided the individual:
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has not been absent from the U.S. for more than 30 days and was solely in a contiguous territory of adjacent island
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has maintained and intends to resume his/her current status
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is in possession of a valid passport, unless exempt from passport requirements. (Individuals carrying new passports issued from within the U.S. to replace an old passport that contains the original non-immigrant visa may qualify for automatic visa extension only if they have the old passport in their possession.)
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presents a current, valid I-94
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presents a valid I-20 (if in F-1 status) or valid IAP-66 (if in J status) which shows an un-expired period of authorized stay and has been endorsed by the International Student Advisor for travel.
Individuals that changed to F-1 or J-1 status while in the U.S.
An individual who entered the U.S. in a classification other than F-1 or J-1, but whose status was legally changed to F-1 or J-1 may be eligible for "automatic extension and conversion of visa" as long as the above criteria are met.
Obtaining a Mexican or Canadian Visa
Students in F-1 status may travel with an expired visa to Canada, Mexico, or an adjacent Caribbean Island, if they return to the US within 30 days.
Note, when traveling to Canada or Mexico, you may be required to obtain a visa to enter either of these countries. Please contact the appropriate consulate for more information.
Canadian Consulate General Immigration, 3000 Marine Midland Center, Buffalo, NY 14203-2884, Phone:(716) 858-9501, FAX: (716) 852-2477
Mexican Consulate, 1015 Locust St., Suite 922, St. Louis, MO 63101, Phone: (314) 436-3233
Exceptions
The automatic extension rule does NOT apply to individuals who are out of status in the U.S. or whose visa has been canceled. Port of entry officials will require a current valid visa for Mexican and Caribbean students to re-enter the U.S. if coming from their home country.
To Obtain a New U.S. Visa
See 'If a New Visa is Needed" section on the Travel and Re-entry Tips page. Click here to go to the Travel and Re-entry page.
*Islands Included
According to Section 101(a)(15)(J)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, adjacent islands include Saint Pierre, Miquelon, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, the Windward and Leeward Islands, Trinidad, Martinique, and other British, French, and Netherlands territories or possessions in or bordering on the Caribbean Sea.
This information is intended as a guide for prospective students. It may or may not contain all information needed about every topic.
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