Travel for J-1 Scholars
Returning to the U.S. from visits abroad
To return to the U.S. in exchange visitor status from outside the U.S. (including North America), a scholar needs the following documents
- A valid passport
- A valid visa
- A valid DS-2019 with a recent travel signature from the Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) at the Office of International Programs at WSU or the Responsible Officer of their J Program if not sponsored by WSU. Signatures are valid for multiple entries for up to 6 months.
You can obtain the travel signature (endorsement) from the OISS in 108 Bryan Hall by calling ahead for an appointment, or leaving the DS-2019 with the receptionist to pick up at a later time. In most cases your DS-2019 will be endorsed for travel when you attend the J-1 scholar orientation meeting after your initial arrival.
Re-validating/extending your J-1 visa when traveling
If your visa is expired and you intend to travel outside of North America, please allow for the length time required to obtain the re-validation, including the possibility of a security background check. These security checks can take one to two weeks to complete, but in rare cases may take much longer. Scheduling the required in-person visa interview can also take time. Check the consular web site for the documentation required for this visa re-validation/extension. When traveling to Mexico, Canada & adjacent Islands, you may not need a valid visa to re-enter the US.
Trips to Mexico, Canada & Adjacent Islands
To facilitate entry into Canada or Mexico as a visitor and re-entry into the US, you must carry all the documents listed above. In some cases however, a valid J-1 or dependent J-2 visa stamp is not required to re-enter the US (see information below regarding entry with an expired visa stamp). In addition, a Canadian visitor's visa may be required, depending on your country of citizenship
Visitor's Visa to Canada and Mexico
J-1s and their dependents planning a trip to Canada or Mexico should contact the respective consulate offices to determine whether a Canadian visitor's visa is needed, prior to your trip.
Mexican Consulate www.sre.gob.mx/acerca/directorio/consulados/seattle.htm
Canadian Consulate www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
Re-entering the U.S. from Canada on Expired H-1 Visa Stamp
Many scholars and their dependents may travel to Canada, Mexico and re-enter the U.S. on an expired non-immigrant visa stamp (F, J, H-1B, etc), if the trip does not exceed 30 days. (Referred to as Automatic Revalidation) Citizens of Iraq, Iran, Syria, Libya, Sudan, North Korea, and Cuba are not eligible for this benefit and must be in possession of a valid visa stamp to enter or re-enter the U.S. at all times.
Automatic Revalidation, or re-entry on an expired US visa, does not apply when a scholar applies for a new J-1 visa stamp at a US consulate in Canada or Mexico and is denied. Before deciding to apply for a visa stamp at a US in Canada or Mexico, please consult with your J-1 advisor at OISS.
Cautions:
Travel for extended periods
Travel outside the country for extended periods is allowed as long as it is not excessive (such as a semester) and the purpose of the travel is directly related to your collaborative exchange.
Travel and J-2 Dependent(s)
Since the status of a J-2 family member is valid only while the J-1 scholar maintains status here, it is not advisable to travel abroad for extended periods and leave your dependents in the U.S. There are no specific time periods established in the regulations, but in a recent case a J-1 scholar was denied a renewal of their J-1 visa after leaving family members in the U.S. for a little over one month.
Special Registration (NSEERS)
Adult male visitors from certain countries are subject to Special Registration upon entry and exit from the US Under Special Registration (NSEERS: National Security Entry-Exit Registration System), these non-immigrants are required to:
- Register with immigration authorities at a port of entry.
- Report to DHS for additional in-person interviews if instructed by the Port-of-Entry official.
- Notify immigration authorities of changes of residential address by updating address in WSU METRO [link to METRO page].
- Use specially designated portswhen leaving the U.S. and report in person to an immigration officer at the port on their departure date.
Male citizens or nationals of the following countries are required to comply with the Special Registration. (as of December, 2003)
Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Egypt, Eritrea, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen
Reentry with a different visa
If you re-enter the U.S. in another status, such as B-1/B-2, or under the Visa Waiver Program, you are no longer in valid J-1 status and effectively cancel your J exchange program at WSU.
Page Updated: April 2, 2008