Student Visa

Student visas are typically issued for the same duration of status listed on a student’s I-20/DS-2019. The visa does not guarantee entry to the United States, but is required along with your other immigration documents.

Canadian students are not required to obtain a US visa.

Below is a summary of common scenarios students face with their visa.

• If you are not planning on traveling internationally, you are okay to stay in the United States if your I-20 is current and in Active status; your I-20 can be checked with a DSO in the GEC.
• If you decide to travel outside of the US, you will need to obtain a new visa before you can re-enter, unless you are in an area that works with the automatic visa revalidation process (See below). You are encouraged to only apply for a new visa in your home country, and not while abroad in another foreign country.

What is Automatic Visa Revalidation?

• There are a few countries that provide automatic visa revalidation. What this means is if you travel to one of these countries for 30 days or less on an expired US visa, you will still be able to re-enter the US. However, this can only be done once. Below is a list of the countries who participate in the automatic visa revalidation process:
  • Canada
  • Mexico
  • Adjacent islands: Saint Pierre, Miquelon, The Dominican Republic, Haiti, Bermuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, The Windward and Leeward Islands, Trinidad, Martinique, and other French, British, and Netherlands territory or possessions in the Caribbean Sea.
• More information on Automatic Visa Revalidation.

If my visa is automatically revalidated, do I still need to renew my visa if I plan to travel internationally?

• Yes, the automatic visa revalidation only works one time. For continual travel, you will need to renew your visa.

I’m planning on traveling home with an expired visa. Will I need a new visa in order to return to the United States?

• Yes. While you are home, you will need to follow the same process you used to receive your first visa. For questions about this process, contact your local US embassy.
  • List of U.S. Embassies Worldwide

I’m planning on traveling home with an expired visa. Will I need a new visa in order to return to the United States?

My passport expired and I will be applying for a renewal, do I also need to apply for a new visa?

• No. In order to travel, you will need to take both passports with you; your new passport and your expired passport that contains the valid visa. The official who checks your documents at the Port of Entry will check the visa in your old passport, and will then stamp your new passport.
• Do not try to remove your visa from your old passport in order to put into your new passport; this will void your visa.

I’m planning on traveling home with an expired visa. Will I need a new visa in order to return to the United States? More information about US Visas.