International Travel

If you travel abroad for more than 30 days, your U.S. hospital department must submit a "J-1 Travel Request” to our office. If you have J-2 dependents, they should also leave the U.S. while you are abroad for more than 30 days. Travel abroad for less than 30 days or less do not require consultation with our office.

Return to U.S. from Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean Islands

Automatic Revalidation: Most J-1 and J-2 visa holders can travel to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean Islands (except Cuba) for up to 30 days and return to the United States with an expired J visa, but there are several important factors to consider.

Before traveling to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean Islands please check with that country to see if a visitor/tourist visa is required for you to be allowed to enter that country.
All citizens who apply for a visa at a U.S. Consulate in Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean are not eligible for automatic revalidation.Citizens and nationals of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan, North Korea, and Cuba are not eligible for automatic revalidation and should expect significant and burdensome delays when traveling outside of the U.S.

Travel Documents
Js must always travel with and present the following items when re-entering the U.S.
Your passport	Valid 6 months into the future.
Copy of most recent I-94 record	Your I-94's "Admit Until" date must always indicate "D/S." "Duration of Status" (D/S) indicates that you may remain in the U.S. as long as you continue your currently approved research position.
(If you are not Canadian) Your most recent, valid visa	The visa for which the most recent I-94 was issued.
Your unexpired original DS-2019	It should be validated in the lower right corner with a travel signature from PIPS within the past 1 year. If you need a new travel signature, please see the Contact Us section for our office's directions and hours.
If you are a J-1 paid by the U.S. hospital, carry a copy of your most recent U.S. hospital pay statement.	Printed copies from PeopleSoft are acceptable. If you are a J-1 who is not paid by the U.S. hospital, bring a brief letter from your scientific host confirming that you are a current researcher within the department.
If you are a J-2 traveling separately from the J-1 visa holder, take a copy of the J-1’s recent U.S. hospital pay statement.	If the J-1 is not paid by the U.S. hospital, you should bring a brief letter from the J-1’s scientific host stating that he or she is a current researcher within the department.

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Return to U.S. from Any Other Country

If you do not already have a valid, unexpired J-1 visa in your passport, you will need to obtain a J-1 visa at the American Consulate/Embassy if you travel outside of the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean Islands (only Canadian citizens do not need visas in their passport).

Visa Application

Visit the website of the American Embassy/Consulate to which you will apply for specific visa application instructions.
Review visa processing times here.
The original DS-2019 is the only item that you need from our office for the visa application.
If you are asked for a letter to confirm your current J-1 research participation, please request the letter from your employer/department at the hospital.

Travel Documents
Js must always travel with and present the following items when re-entering the U.S.
Your passport	Valid 6 months into the future.
Copy of most recent I-94 record	Your I-94's "Admit Until" date must always indicate "D/S." "Duration of Status" (D/S) indicates that you may remain in the U.S. as long as you continue your currently approved research position.
(if you are not Canadian) Your most recent, valid visa	The visa for which the most recent I-94 was issued.
Your unexpired original DS-2019	It should be validated in the lower right corner with a travel signature from PIPS within the past 1 year. If you need a new travel signature, please see the Contact Us section for our office's directions and hours.
If you are a J-1 paid by the U.S. hospital, carry a copy of your most recent U.S. hospital pay statement.	Printed copies from PeopleSoft are acceptable. If you are a J-1 who is not paid by the U.S. hospital, bring a brief letter from your scientific host confirming that you are a current researcher within the department.
If you are a J-2 traveling separately from the J-1 visa holder, take a copy of the J-1’s recent U.S. hospital pay statement.	If the J-1 is not paid by the U.S. hospital, you should bring a brief letter from the J-1’s scientific host stating that he or she is a current researcher within the department.

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Your Obligation Each Time You Reenter the U.S.:

A U.S. Immigration officer will enter an electronic I-94 Arrival record each time you reenter the U.S. After reentering the U.S., you must:

Go to www.cbp.gov/I94 and print a copy of your new electronic Form I-94. Review your I-94 information.
Your I-94's "Admit Until" date must always indicate "D/S". "Duration of Status" (D/S) indicates that you may remain in the U.S. as long as you continue your currently approved research position.
If there are any errors on your Form I-94, please contact PIPS and we will provide you an e-mail address to contact U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Keep a copy of the I-94 in your passport and another for your permanent records.

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Maintaining Your Visa Status

International Travel

Return to U.S. from Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean Islands

Travel Documents

Js must always travel with and present the following items when re-entering the U.S.

Return to U.S. from Any Other Country

Travel Documents

Js must always travel with and present the following items when re-entering the U.S.

Your Obligation Each Time You Reenter the U.S.:

J-1 Travel Emergencies

Visa Application Delays

Partners Healthcare®