Documents Required to Enter the U.S.: A J-1 visitor will need to present the following
documents in order to re-enter the United States:
- 1. Valid Passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond the program end date
on form DS-2019.
- 2. Current DS-2019 with a valid travel signature by an OISS staff member. (Please
note that the OISS travel signature is valid for 1 year.)
- 3. A Valid Visa Stamp. Please make sure that the J-1 visa stamp inside the passport
will be valid at the time you plan to re-enter the U.S. If the stamp has expired
or is issued for a different visa status, you will need to apply for a new J-1 visa
stamp at a U.S. Consulate abroad before you can reenter the U.S. (Visa stamps are
not issued or renewed inside the U.S.).
Travel to Canada or Mexico for less than 30 days
For trips of short duration ( less
than 30 days) to Mexico, Canada, or adjacent islands ( e.g., Bermuda, The Bahamas,
Jamaica) a valid visa is not needed to reenter the US. except under the conditions
noted below. In other words, you may travel to Canada or Mexico for less than 30
days and reenter the US on an expired visa stamp provided that you also have a DS-2019
with a current signature on the back and your I-94 form ( white 4" X 4" card). Normally
the I-94 card is taken from you when you leave the US. However, if you plan to reenter
the US from Canada or Mexico within 30 days on an expired visa stamp, you should
not surrender your I-94 card when exiting the US. People who meet the following
conditions cannot re-enter the U.S. on an expired visa, they will need a valid visa
to re-enter the U.S. while traveling to Mexico for 30 days or less.
1. People who
apply for a visa while in Mexico or Canada are not eligible to re-enter the U.S.
until a valid visa has been issued.
2. People who have been enrolled in the special
registration program called NSEERS at the time they first entered the United States.
Before traveling to Canada or Mexico you should find out if you require a visa to
enter those countries. See the Canadian Consulate for information on the Canadian
Consulate and the Mexican Consulate for information on the Mexican Consulate.