|
AUTOMATIC REVALIDATION
Students in F-1, F-2, J-1, J-2 visa statuses may travel to
Mexico, Canada, or adjacent islands* (except Cuba) on an expired
visa under certain circumstances. This is called “automatic
visa revalidation” and can be used only for a stay of less than
30 days.
Students who have changed status inside the U.S. and who do not
yet have a visa for the new status may use automatic
revalidation to re-enter under the new status. You must have a
visa showing the previous status and an approval notice showing
the newly awarded status.
Documentation Requirements
- Valid I-94 stamped D/S (duration of status)
- Valid I-20 or DS-2019 signed for travel within the last
6 months
- Valid passport with the expired visa
An I-797 Approval Notice if you’ve changed status inside the
U.S. and have not yet received a visa for the new status
Other recommended travel documents include: financial
certification, EAD card and letter from employer if you are on
OPT, authorization letter and letter from employer if you are on
Academic Training, current transcript of course work, copy of
current and/or future enrollment.
Exceptions
Automatic visa revalidation is NOT available to:
- Students who are citizens of Iran, Iraq, Cuba, Syria,
Libya, Sudan, North Korea
- Students who want to renew a visa at a U.S. Embassy or
Consulate
If your application for a visa is denied, you may be denied
re-entry to the U.S. and may be forced to return to your
home country to reapply for a visa.
Other Considerations
- Depending on your country of citizenship, you may need
to get a visa in order to enter Canada or Mexico. You
should consult the Canadian or Mexican governmental agencies
to determine if you need a visa.
- If you are a Special Registrant, you should be sure to
exit the U.S. through an approved point of departure and
locate an immigration official to officially register.
Failure to follow these procedures may result in being
denied re-entry to the U.S. later.
- Students whose subject of study is included on the
Department of State’s Technology Alert List may be subject
to additional security checks and delays upon re-entry and
may want to consider not using automatic revalidation.
e-mail an international student advisor at intlprog@sc.edu
for questions about the Technology Alert List.
* The adjacent islands are St. Pierre, Miquelon, The
Dominican Republic, Haiti, Bermuda, The Bahamas, Barbados,
Jamaica, The Windward and Leeward Islands, Trinidad, Martinique
(and other British, French, and Dutch territories or possessions
in or bordering on the Carribean Sea).
Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands
are territories of the U.S. and, therefore, you would not need a
visa for re-entry. However, it is always strongly suggested to
carry your immigration documents when traveling.
|
|
Driver’s License
Employment
Frequently Asked Questions
|
