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J-1 Student Travel

Your sponsor is responsible for assisting and advising you on all matters relating to your J-1 program. This includes authorizing travel outside the U.S. and ensuring that your J-1 nonimmigrant documents are valid at all times.

If traveling outside the U.S., please contact your immigration specialist two to three weeks before your anticipated date of travel. We will send you a J-1 travel signature request form.

tote bag with a Student Live label

Once you complete the form, please e-mail it back to your immigration specialist and we will send you an electronically signed DS-2019 endorsed for travel.

The travel signatures are valid for 12 months for J-1 students. You may be able to travel multiple times on one travel signature. Once your travel signature expires, you will need to submit another J-1 travel signature request form.

Please note that you must first obtain authorization from your department to take vacation time or leave time.

When traveling outside the United States, you will need to have the proper documents to return, including:

  • Passports that are valid six months beyond your current program or employment end date.
  • Valid J-1 visa stamp (for citizens of certain countries, reentry from Canada, Mexico, and the adjacent islands may be allowed with an expired visa).
  • DS-2019 with valid travel signature: Travel signatures are valid for one year from the date signed by the immigration specialist or until the program end date, whichever date is earlier. If you need a travel signature on your DS-2019, please contact your immigration specialist.

Returning from Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean Islands

Normally, you must have a valid visa to return to the U.S. from abroad. However, there is a special provision called automatic visa revalidation that applies to some travel.

If you will be traveling to Canada, Mexico or “adjacent islands” for less than 30 days, you may be eligible for automatic visa revalidation. This means that you may travel to these countries for less than 30 days and return to the U.S. with an expired visa stamp.

If you are in J-1 status and your J-1 visa is expired, you may still return to the U.S. from a trip to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean islands even with an expired visa, as long as you meet the following:

  • Your passport is valid.
  • You have a valid DS-2019 with a valid travel signature.
  • You only go to Canada, Mexico, and/or the Caribbean islands (except Cuba) and do not stay outside the U.S. for more than 30 days.
  • You do not apply for a new U.S. visa while abroad (otherwise you have to wait for it to be approved and use it to reenter).

Renewing Your Visa Stamp

You can only renew your visa at a U.S. Consulate abroad.

U.S. consulates and embassies will require you to:

  • Complete the DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa Application.
  • Pay the nonimmigrant visa application fee.
  • Make an appointment to interview for the J visa at the nearest U.S. Consulate or Embassy.
  • Bring the following documents to your interview:
    • Passport (valid for at least six months beyond current end date).
    • DS-2019 form.
    • Visa application confirmation.
    • Visa application fee payment receipt.
    • SEVIS fee receipt copy (recommended).
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