Automatic Visa Revalidation

Returning to the U.S. Using "Automatic Revalidation"

Automatic Revalidation allows certain nonimmigrants to re-enter the U.S. with an expired U.S. visa sticker in their valid passport after visiting Canada, Mexico, or an adjacent island* for less than 30 days. This includes individuals in F, J, O, and H-1B status; however, only F and J nonimmigrants can use Automatic Revalidation when visiting an adjacent island. Under this provision, the expired nonimmigrant visa is considered to be automatically extended to the date of readmission. Individuals who have changed their status from within the U.S. but do not possess a visa sticker for their current status may also be readmitted to the U.S. under Automatic Revalidation using a valid or expired visa sticker from a prior nonimmigrant classification.

For the most up-to-date information, visit the Department of State website or the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection website.

Automatic Revalidation is NOT available to:

• • Citizens or nationals of state sponsors of terrorism as determined by the Department of State
  • Individuals whose visas have ever been canceled under INA 222(g)
  • Individuals who entered the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program
  • Individuals applying for a U.S. visa while abroad
  • Individuals who were not admitted to the U.S. based on  a nonimmigrant visa

*Adjacent islands include: Anguilla, Antiqua, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Barbuda, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Jamaica, Marie-Galante, Martinique, Miquelon, Montserrat, Saba, Saint-Barthelemy, Saint Christopher, Saint Eustatius, Saint Kitts-Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Maarten, Saint Martin, Saint Pierre, Saint Vincent, Grenadines, Trinidad, Tobago, Turks and Caicos, and other British/French/Netherlands territories or possessions bordering the Caribbean Sea. Cuba is not included.