Travel Information for J-Scholars
Documents Required
Valid passport, I-94 card and DS-2019 form with a recent travel signature from CIS.
Travel Procedures to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean Islands
A valid U.S. entry visa is not required if you travel to a contiguous territory (Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean Islands excluding Cuba) for less than 30 days. If a person in J-1 status enters the US from the contiguous territories within 30 days, the entry visa is considered to be automatically extended to the date of reentry PROVIDED THE ENTRY VISA HAS NOT BEEN CANCELED OR VOIDED. This is called “Automatic Visa Revalidation.” If you plan to use this procedure, do not surrender your valid I-94 card to Immigration officials when leaving the United States.
Note: Citizens of the following countries are NOT eligible for Automatic Visa Revalidation: Iraq, Iran, Syria, Libya, Sudan, North Korea and Cuba. Also the automatic visa revalidation provision excludes aliens who applied for a U.S. entry visa in Canada or Mexico and whose visa application was denied.
**Certain individuals require an entry visa before entering Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean Islands. Please contact the appropriate consulate for information regarding this matter.
Travel Procedures to All Other Countries
To travel to any other country you should have a valid, unexpired J-1 entry visa in your passport (Canadians excluded). If you do not, you must apply for a visa at a US consulate or embassy abroad. You should also have a letter from your department confirming your employment. Please let CIS know that you are planning to travel at least a week in advance so that we can endorse your DS-2019 for travel.
US VISIT (Entry system)
This is a system that will collect biographic information on all foreign nationals entering the US. This system may add minor delays upon your return to the US so please plan accordingly when booking your flight and possible connections. For more information on the US VISIT system, please go to http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/content_multi_image/content_multi_image_0006.xml.
Special Registration Requirements for Travel
If, at the time of entry to the U.S., you were designated by the immigration officer to be a subject of special registration procedures, you will have to notify the immigration about your departure and make sure to meet with an inspecting officer at a U.S. through a designated port of departure. For more information on special registration requirements and the list of designated ports of departure please go to http://www.ice.gov/pi/specialregistration/index.htm.
Obtaining or Renewing a J-1 Visa in your Home Country
Visit usembassy.state.gov for general information about visa services. Follow the same procedure that you followed when you obtained your previous visa(s) to enter the United States. You will also need to bring a current proof of financial support. The documents required vary from country to country so please inquire at the American Consulate in your home country before you leave the US to determine the specific documents required. Please note that due to security background checks the processing of your visa may take a considerable amount of time.
Obtaining or Renewing a J-1 Visa in Canada or Mexico
If you want to apply to obtain or renew your J-1 visa in Canada or Mexico rather than in your home country, you must call for an appointment 2-3 weeks in advance.
- US Consulate in Canada – schedule online at http://www.nvars.com with a credit card or call 1-900-443-3131.
- US Consulate in Mexico – schedule online at http://www.usvisa-mexico.com with a major credit card.
*If your visa is denied, you will not be able to re-enter the US under “Automatic Visa Revalidation"
