Re-entering the United States from Canada or Mexico

If you have an expired F or J nonimmigrant visa stamp, it will still be considered valid in most cases when you reenter the United States from Canada or Mexico. This is known as “automatic revalidation.”

For this to apply, you must meet the following requirements:

• Have a valid I-94 arrival record stating your current, valid status
• Have an expired nonimmigrant F or J visa in your passport
• Be in Canada or Mexico less than 30 days
• Do not apply for a U.S. visa while in Canada or Mexico
• Are not from one of the countries currently listed as a state sponsor of terrorism
• Do not travel to a third country (e.g. You cannot go to Mexico, go to Guatamala, return to Mexico, and then reenter the US)

Additional opportunities to travel outside of the U.S. with the automatic revalidation program include “adjacent islands” in the Caribbean. Refer to the I.C.E. page for more information and a list of island countries included.