1. What is automatic visa revalidation?
Automatic visa revalidation is a process that allows certain nonimmigrant visa holders to travel outside of the United States and re-enter without obtaining a new visa stamp, if their current visa has expired. This only applies to travel to certain countries and for certain periods of time.2. Who is eligible for automatic visa revalidation?
The following individuals may be eligible for automatic visa revalidation:
– Nonimmigrants who are in valid status and have a valid nonimmigrant visa, but whose visa will expire while they are abroad.
– Nonimmigrants with expired nonimmigrant visas who apply for a new visa while outside of the United States.
– Nonimmigrants who travel to contiguous territories (Canada and Mexico) or adjacent islands (Caribbean islands except Cuba) for less than 30 days.
– Nonimmigrants who have completed a period of authorized stay in the United States and are returning within 30 days to resume their previously approved activities.
3. What are “contiguous territories” and “adjacent islands”?
Contiguous territories refer to Canada and Mexico, two neighboring countries that share land borders with the United States. Adjacent islands refer to Caribbean islands, such as Bermuda, Bahamas, Barbados, etc., except for Cuba.
4. How long can I stay outside of the country with automatic visa revalidation?
Under automatic visa revalidation, you must not stay outside of the contiguous territories or adjacent islands for more than 30 days in order to be eligible for re-entry using your expired nonimmigrant visa.
5. What happens if my current nonimmigrant visa has already expired?
If your current nonimmigrant visa has already expired, you may still be eligible for automatic visa revalidation if you satisfy other requirements such as staying within the contiguous territories/adjacent islands for less than 30 days.
6. Can I use automatic visa revalidation multiple times?
Yes, you can use automatic visa revalidation multiple times, as long as you satisfy all the requirements each time and do not stay outside of the contiguous territories/adjacent islands for more than 30 days.
7. Is a valid I-94 required for automatic visa revalidation?
Yes, a valid I-94 is required for automatic visa revalidation. This means that your nonimmigrant status must still be valid and you have not violated any immigration laws.
8. Do I need to apply for anything to use automatic visa revalidation?
No, you do not need to apply for anything in order to use automatic visa revalidation. As long as you meet all the eligibility requirements, you can travel outside of the United States and re-enter using your expired nonimmigrant visa stamp.
9. Are there any exceptions or restrictions to automatic visa revalidation?
Yes, some nonimmigrants are ineligible for automatic visa revalidation, including those who have applied for a new visa while abroad and were denied, individuals with certain criminal records or previous immigration violations, and those whose current nonimmigrant status does not allow them to return to the United States upon expiration of their nonimmigrant visa.
10. Can I enter through any port of entry with automatic visa revalidation?
No, you can only enter through designated ports of entry while using automatic visa revalidation. These include international airports within the contiguous territories and adjacent islands, land border crossings between Canada and Mexico, and seaports in these locations. Check with your airline or embassy before traveling to make sure your port of entry qualifies for automatic visa revalidation.
2. How does automatic visa revalidation work?
Automatic visa revalidation is a process that allows certain nonimmigrant visa holders to temporarily travel outside of the United States and return without having to get a new visa stamp in their passports. This applies to individuals whose nonimmigrant visas have expired while they are inside the United States, but who have remained in status and only left the country for a short period of time.
Here is how automatic visa revalidation works:
1. Eligibility: To be eligible for automatic visa revalidation, you must be a citizen of certain countries and hold specific types of nonimmigrant visas (such as B1/B2, F, J or M). You must also have an expired nonimmigrant visa, but still in valid status and have not overstayed your authorized stay in the US.
2. Travel to qualifying countries: In order to use automatic visa revalidation, you must travel only to certain countries located within territories adjacent to the United States. These include Canada, Mexico, and most Caribbean islands except Cuba.
3. Short trip: You must only make brief trips (less than 30 days) outside of the US to these qualifying countries.
4. Travel by land or sea: Automatic visa revalidation can only be used if you are traveling by land or sea. If you travel by air even within those qualifying countries, you will need to apply for a new visa before returning.
5. Keep documentation: It is important that you keep all your documentation such as your old passport with the expired visa stamp and I-94 record with you when traveling outside of the US. These documents will serve as proof that you were legally admitted into the US before your trip abroad.
6. Re-entering the US: When returning to the US from one of those qualifying countries under automatic visa revalidation, present all necessary documents at port of entry including your current passport showing your expired visa stamp on one page and a valid I-94 record in order to be escorted back into the US without the need for a new visa.
It is important to note that automatic visa revalidation does not apply to individuals who have obtained a new visa while abroad or who have been denied entry back into the US. In these instances, you will need to apply for a new nonimmigrant visa at a US consulate before returning to the US.
3. Who is eligible for automatic visa revalidation?
4. What is the duration of automatic visa revalidation?5. Can I travel to Mexico or Canada for automatic visa revalidation by land or sea?
1. Automatic visa revalidation allows certain non-immigrants in the United States to renew their expired non-immigrant visas without having to apply for a new visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad.
2. Non-immigrants who are maintaining valid status and have an expired non-immigrant visa may be eligible for automatic visa revalidation.
3. The following categories of non-immigrants are eligible for automatic visa revalidation:
– F, M, or J students with a valid Form I-20 or DS-2019
– H-1B, H-4, L-1A, L-1B, O-1, O-3, P, Q and R visas
– B visitor visas (for business/tourism)
– TN status under NAFTA
4. The duration of automatic visa revalidation depends on your specific situation and the category of your non-immigrant status. In general, it can be used if your trip outside of the United States lasts less than 30 days.
5. Yes, you can travel to Mexico or Canada by land or sea for automatic visa revalidation as long as you meet the eligibility requirements and have a valid I-94 record upon re-entering the United States. However, if you plan on travelling by air from either country, you will need to obtain a new U.S. visa before returning to the United States.
4. What type of visas are eligible for automatic visa revalidation?
Published 05/16/2013 04:35 PM | Updated 05/01/2014 10:28 AMThe following visas are eligible for automatic visa revalidation:
– B-1/B-2 (temporary visitors for business or pleasure)
– C (transit)
– D (crewmember)
– F (student)
– H (temporary worker)
– J (exchange visitor)
– K (fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen)
However, Canadian citizens are eligible for automatic visa revalidation even if they hold a different type of nonimmigrant visa, such as an E or L visa. United States permanent residents are also eligible for automatic visa revalidation through Canada or Mexico, as long as they have not visited a country other than the United States, Canada, and/or Mexico.
5. Do I need to apply for automatic visa revalidation before traveling?
No, automatic visa revalidation is a process that takes place at the port of entry when a person is returning to the United States from a short trip to Canada, Mexico or adjacent islands. As long as the traveler meets all the eligibility requirements for automatic revalidation, they do not need to apply for it in advance. It is automatically applied at the time of entry to the US.
6. How long does the automatic visa revalidation process take?
The automatic visa revalidation process typically takes 1-2 weeks, although it can sometimes take longer depending on individual circumstances and workload at the U.S. Consulate. It is important to plan ahead and apply for the automatic visa revalidation as soon as possible.
7. Can I use automatic visa revalidation if my current visa has expired but my I-94 is still valid?
Yes, you may be eligible to use the automatic visa revalidation program if your current visa has expired but your I-94 is still valid. However, you must be returning from a trip of 30 days or less to Canada, Mexico or an adjacent Caribbean island and have a valid I-20 or DS-2019 with a valid travel endorsement. It is always recommended to check with your designated school official (DSO) before traveling to ensure you meet all eligibility requirements for automatic visa revalidation.
8. Can I use automatic visa revalidation if I have changed status in the US?
No, automatic visa revalidation can only be used if you are maintaining your original nonimmigrant status while in the US. If you have changed to a different nonimmigrant status, you must obtain a valid visa stamp for your new status before traveling outside of the US.
9. Are there any travel restrictions or limitations under the automatic visa revalidation program?
Yes, there are a few restrictions and limitations under the automatic visa revalidation program:
1. Your trip must be to a contiguous country – Canada or Mexico.
2. You must have a valid passport and an expired US visa within its category (except for H visas) – meaning that you should not have applied for a new US visa while abroad.
3. Your visit can only last up to 30 days – any longer than this will invalidate your automatic visa revalidation.
4. Your previous entry into the US must have been made using a valid nonimmigrant visa or green card.
5. If you have changed status in the U.S., you may not be eligible for automatic revalidation and may need to apply for a new visa at a U.S consulate abroad.
6. If you are from certain countries listed as state sponsors of terrorism by the U.S government, such as Iran, Syria, Sudan, and North Korea, then you will not be eligible for automatic visa revalidation.
7. You cannot use the automatic visa revalidation program if you have been refused admission into the U.S previously, even if it was with another passport or in another status.
8. Automatic visa revalidation does not apply to F visas if the student has travelled to Cuba since becoming an F-1/J-1 student in order to participate in educational activities sponsored by Cuban or United States institutions
9. The immigration officer at the port of entry has ultimate say on whether they will admit you under the automatic visa revalidation program or require you to obtain a new US visa.
10. Is there a limit on the number of times I can use automatic visa revalidation in a year?
There is no official limit on the number of times you can use automatic visa revalidation in a year. However, repeated use may raise red flags and could potentially result in increased scrutiny from immigration officials. It is recommended to only use automatic visa revalidation when necessary and to have all required documentation in order to avoid any potential issues.
11. Can I use automatic visa revalidation if my previous stay in the US was less than 30 days?
No, you cannot use automatic visa revalidation if your previous stay in the US was less than 30 days. Automatic visa revalidation only applies to those who have been on a continuous stay in the US for 30 days or less and are traveling to Canada, Mexico, or adjacent islands for less than 30 days. If your previous stay in the US was less than 30 days, you will need to obtain a valid visa to re-enter the US after traveling to these countries.12. Do I need to notify anyone if I plan to use automatic visa revalidation?
Yes, you should inform your airline and the CBP officer upon arrival in the United States that you are using automatic visa revalidation. It is also recommended to keep a copy of your expired visa and I-94 admission record with you for verification purposes.
13. What happens if my application for extension of stay or change of status is pending when using automatic visa revalidation?
Your automatic visa revalidation will still be valid and you may leave the U.S. and return using your expired visa. However, if your extension of stay or change of status is approved while you are outside the U.S., you will need to obtain a new visa before returning to the U.S.
14. Can I travel to Canada, Mexico, or adjacent islands and still be eligible for automatic visa revalidation?
No, automatic visa revalidation does not apply to travel to and from Canada, Mexico, or adjacent islands. If you are traveling to these locations and wish to reenter the United States without a valid visa, you will need to obtain a new visa before returning.15. What documents do I need to present when using the automatic visa revalidation process at a port of entry?
When using the automatic visa revalidation process, you will need to present the following documents at the port of entry:
1. Valid Passport: You must have a valid passport that is not expired.
2. Expired F or J Visa: A valid I-94 (either paper form or electronic printout) showing your current non-immigrant status and an unexpired admission stamp in your passport that reflects your most recent entry into the United States with an F or J visa are required, even if your actual visa in the passport has expired.
3. Form I-20 or Form DS-2019: If you are an F or J visa holder, you must have a current Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status) or Form DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status).
4. Valid F-1 or J-1 Visa: If you are a national of a country that requires a visa to enter the United States, you must also have a valid F-1 or J-1 visa stamp.
5. Original Transcript and Proof of Enrollment: You should also carry your original transcript and recent proof of enrollment from your institution to re-enter after traveling abroad within five months and without having obtained a new F-1 or M license.
6. Secondary Inspection Documentation: It is recommended that you also bring any relevant documentation related to your travel such as flight itineraries, boarding passes, copies of previous visas, etc. in case you are referred to secondary inspection upon arrival at a port of entry.
7. Other supporting documents: Additional documents may be needed depending on individual circumstances, such as employment verification letters, letter from designated school officials, etc. It is best to check with your designated school official for specific documentation requirements prior to traveling abroad.
Note: It is important to maintain valid immigration status while using automatic visa revalidation process. If there are any changes in your immigration status, make sure to inform your designated school official before traveling.
16. Are there any fees associated with using the automatic visa revalidation process?
There are no additional fees associated with using the automatic visa revalidation process. However, travelers may be subject to normal visa application fees if they need to obtain a new visa for re-entry into the United States after their trip.
17. Do minors require a separate application for their own automatic visa revalidations?
No, minors do not require a separate application for automatic visa revalidations. Their visa will be revalidated along with their accompanying parent or guardian’s if they are traveling together. Minors who are traveling without their parent or guardian will need to submit their own application for automatic visa revalidation.
18. What happens if my new immigrant petition is approved while outside of the US and I wish to return under that same category?
If your petition is approved while outside of the US, you must obtain an immigrant visa at a U.S. consulate abroad before traveling to the US. This process involves scheduling an interview at the consular office and providing necessary documents such as your passport, medical examination results, and financial support information.Once your visa is approved, you can travel to the US and enter as a permanent resident under that specific immigrant category. You will need to present your immigrant visa at the port of entry and may be subject to further questioning by immigration officials.
It is important to note that approval of the petition does not guarantee issuance of an immigrant visa. The consular officer has final determination on whether or not to issue the visa. Additionally, if you have been outside of the US for more than one year after approval of your petition, your application will be considered abandoned and you may need to start the process again.
19. How long can you stay in Canada, Mexico, or adjacent islands while availing of an Automatic Class D Re-entry Permit?
You can stay in Canada, Mexico, or adjacent islands for up to 30 days while availing of an Automatic Class D Re-entry Permit. After the 30-day period, you must re-enter the United States to maintain your lawful permanent resident status.
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