Travel to Canada and Mexico

Entering Canada

Many foreign nationals will need a Canadian visa to enter Canada. To find out if you need a visa and for visa application instructions, contact Canada Citizenship and Immigration. 

Entering Mexico

All persons entering Mexico must have a tourist card or visa, which can be obtained at a Mexican consulate. There is a Mexican consulate in Portland. Contact the consulate directly for instructions about how to apply for a tourist card or visa.

Re-entry to the United States – Valid Visa

If you have a valid U.S. entry visa and will travel to Canada or Mexico, you must have ALL the required documents to re-enter the U.S. See International Travel & Re-entry for details.

Re-entry to the United States – Expired Visa and “Automatic Revalidation”

To re-enter the U.S. under Automatic Revalidation, you must have all required documents to re-enter the United States (see International Travel & Re-entry), including your most recent I-94.

Automatic Revalidation allows J-1 scholars to re-enter the U.S. from Canada or Mexico with an expired J-1 visa stamp under the following conditions:

1. Travel is to Canada, Mexico or “adjacent islands” ONLY.
2. Travel is for 30 days or less.
3. Scholar holds a valid passport.
4. Scholar keeps and presents their I-94 showing valid J-1 status.
5. Re-entry is to resume the exchange program on a valid DS-2019.
6. Scholar has not applied for a new U.S. entry visa while abroad.

Adjacent Islands include: Anguilla, Antigua, 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 Islands, Other British, French and Netherlands territory or possessions bordering on the Caribbean Sea. Cuba is not included.

Automatic Revalidation cannot be used or will be cancelled if a scholar. . .

• Applies for a new visa.
• Is outside of the U.S. for more than 30 days.
• Travels to any country other than the allowed countries.
• Is a national of Cuba, Iran, Syria, or Sudan.

TRAVEL CAUTIONS

Consult a scholar advisor at ISSS before travel if any of the following are true:

• Your U.S. visa has expired.
• You plan to apply for a U.S. entry visa in Canada, Mexico or adjacent islands.
• You will be out of the U.S. more than 30 days.
• Your DS-2019 has expired or will expire in the next 60 days.
• You plan to apply, are currently applying, or have applied in the past for U.S. legal permanent resident status (green card).