Office of International Student & Scholar Services

Automatic Visa Revalidation

Automatic visa revalidation allows a person with an expired visa to re-enter the U.S. after a visit to Canada, Mexico, or adjacent islands*, using a valid I-94 card in place of a visa.

 *Adjacent Islands: Saint Pierre, Miquelon, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Bermuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, the Windward and Leeward Islands, Trinidad, and other British, French, and Netherlands territories or possessions in or bordering the Caribbean Sea.

Regulations

  • Person seeking re-entrance must be returning from a visit to Canada or Mexico of less than 30 days duration.
  • Person must have a valid (unexpired) original I-94 and current signed I-20/DS-2019.
  • Person must have a valid passport.
  • Person has maintained and intends to resume nonimmigrant status.
  • Person has not applied for a new visa while outside the U.S.

Exemptions

Certain individuals may not benefit from this provision. These countries are Iran, Syria, Sudan, and Cuba. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of State website.

Last Updated: 3/22/23