Automatic Visa Revalidation for Travel to Mexico, Canada and Some Adjacent Islands

Automatic visa revalidation allows an individual with an expired F or J visa to re-enter the United States after a visit to Canada or Mexico (F, J and H), and adjacent islands (F and J only) using a valid, un-expired Form I-94 in place of a visa.

The person seeking re-entry must be returning from a visit to Canada or Mexico of fewer than 30 days duration (N.B.: this procedure is not available if the visa holder has visited any countries other than Canada, Mexico, or "adjacent islands"). 22 C.F.R. § 41.112(d)

If you apply for a US visa at a US Embassy or Consulate while in this contiguous territory you are not eligible.

• Person seeking re-entry must be in possession of a valid, un-expired Form I-94;
• Individuals in F-1/F-2 or J-1/J-2 status should have a current and valid Form I-20/DS-2019 signed by ISSS for travel; Individuals in H-1B Nonimmigrant Worker status need a current and valid Notice of Action (Form I-797);
• The person seeking re-entry must have a valid passport;
• The person cannot be a citizen of "state sponsors of terrorism" (see below)

Please Note: An individual who meets these criteria should be permitted to re-enter the United States as though s/he had never left. If you have changed your immigration status in the US then you should be readmitted in the changed classification. You must present an original Form I-94 - you should not allow the airline (or anyone else) to remove the Form I-94 upon departure from the U.S. The Form I-94 presented must be valid - it cannot have expired or be for an incorrect nonimmigrant status. For example, an individual who is in Visitor for Pleasure (B-2) status and who has applied for but not yet received a change of status to Nonimmigrant Student (F-1) status would not be considered eligible to leave and return to the U. S. through this process. You must not have violated your status when previously in the U.S.

If you are a national of Iran, Syria, Libya, Sudan, North Korea, or Cuba you are not eligible to reenter the US with Automatic Visa Revalidation