Travel and Reentry

• Traveling Outside of the U.S.

  
  Traveling Outside of the U.S.

  When reentering the U.S. after traveling outside of the country, you must be prepared to show the Border Patrol the following documents:

  J-1 Research Scholar, Professors, Short-Term Scholars and Specialists	J-1 Students, Student Interns & J-1 Students on Academic Training
  Original DS-2019 with travel signature endorsement within 12 months*	Original DS-2019 with travel signature endorsement within 12 months*
  Valid passport. Passport should be valid at least 6 months beyond your planned arrival date to U.S.	Valid passport. Passport should be valid at least 6 months beyond your planned arrival date to U.S.
  Unexpired J-1 visa (Canadians are exempt from visa requirement) **	Unexpired J-1 visa (Canadians are exempt from visa requirement) **
  Proof of Standing: Non-salaried or Visiting J-1 Exchange Visitors Request a Letter of Good Standing from host Department Salaried or Employees of the Institution Request an Employment Verification letter from Human Resources	Proof of Enrollment: Undergraduates: Enrollment Verification from the Registrar Graduates: Good Standing Letter from your department J-1 Students on Academic Training Offer Letter of Employment J-1 Student Interns, Form DS-7002

  * J-1 exchange visitors in the short-term scholar category have a valid travel signature for no more than six months after endorsement or the end of their program date.

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  • Travel Signature

    J-1 students must have a valid travel signature on their DS-2019 to re-enter the US.

  • The Form DS-2019 contains only 2 spaces for RO/ARO travel validation (or travel signature). These spaces are located on the lower-right portion of page 1 of the form. The "Date" provided for travel validation should be the date the validation was signed by the RO/ARO. The validation will be valid for up to one year from the date of the signature, or until the program end date at item 3, whichever is shorter.

  • If your travel signature has expired, or will expire prior to your return to the U.S., please submit the "Travel Signature Request" eForm in accessVIS.

  • Once your Travel Signature request has been reviewed by a VIS staff member, you are able to schedule an appointment for the signature or request a new Form DS-2019 is sent to you electronically.

    IMPORTANT:  It is your responsibility to see if you need any visitor's visas to enter the country to which you plan on traveling. Your J-1 student visa is only for entry to the U.S.

• Special Circumstances & Considerations

  
  Special Circumstances & Considerations

  
  J-1 Exchange Visitors Subject to 212(e)

  J-1 exchange visitors and students who have submitted a request to the US Department of State for a waiver of the Two Year home Residency requirement, should speak with a Scholar advisor before making travel arrangements.

  Travel Outside the United States of More Than 30 Days

  The Out of Country function, allows J-1 Professors or Research Scholars participating in their exchange program for a particular period of time and at a designated facility to remain in active status.  This function is subject to review and at the discretion of the VIS advisor.

  Conditions for the “Out of Country” Authorization

  • The Exchange Visitor will be out of the country for a defined period of time
  • The program objectives will continue as defined
  • The Exchange Visitor will continue their program duties at an affiliated location
  • Exchange visitors will not engage in program activities in a residence.

  Conditions that do not require “Out of Country” Authorization

  • If the exchange visitor is vacationing outside the U.S for 30 days or less
  • The exchange visitor will depart the US and not continue their program objectives (The exchange visitor should submit the Ending My J-1 status form in accessVIS)
  • If a J-1 Research Scholar or Professor is an instructor and will be outside of the US during a term in which the host department does not require the Exchange Visitor to teach, and will exit the US and will return to the US the following term to resume teaching responsibilities
  • J-2 Dependents are exempt from this function

  Procedure to Request an “Out of Country” Authorization

  The Department Administrator and the Principal Investigator should submit a request via email to vis_scholar@stonybrook.edu with the following information:

  1. Out of Country Begin and End Dates
  2. Out of Country Location Name
  3. Location Address
  4. Summary of the program activities while out of the country

  Responsibilities of the Exchange Visitor during Travel

  • Continue to maintain appropriate J-1 status and comply with the regulations of the Stony Brook University and the Exchange Visitor Program.
  • Report to their department administrator and Principal Investigator any changes in activities or dates, location or activities while out of country.  If an update to dates (extended time) is required, an update via an email from the host department/Principal Investigator host is sufficient. If the Out of Country authorization has expired, a new Out of Country authorization is required.
  • Maintain an active Stony Brook email address
  • Maintain appropriate health insurance at all times, including any J-2 dependents, for all absences from Stony Brook University. Health insurance cannot expire during any absence
  • Not leave J-2 dependents inside the US for extended absence periods. J-2 dependents should exit with the primary J-1.

  Deemed Export Control Approval

  Technology, know-how, and non-encryption source code that is released to foreign nationals within the U.S. is “deemed” to be an export to the country where the person is a resident or citizen and could be subject to export licensing requirements. This is what is commonly known as the “deemed export” rule.  J-1 Exchange Visitors should contact our office before they depart the US, if they will engage in program activities from abroad

• Automatic Visa Revalidation

  
  Automatic Visa Revalidation - Travel to Canada or Mexico

  • If you are only traveling to Canada or Mexico for a period of less than 30 days, you may be eligible to reenter the U.S. with an expired J-1 visa in your passport under a process called “Automatic Visa Revalidation.”

    In order to take advantage of Automatic Revalidation, all of the following must apply:

    • The visit is ONLY to Canada or Mexico and you may NOT travel to any other country.
    • You did not apply for a new U.S. visa stamp while in Canada/Mexico.
    • Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of reentry to the U.S.
    • You must possess an unexpired I-94 record.
    • You must have maintained and intend to resume your nonimmigrant status.

    Automatic Revalidation is not available to nationals from countries identified as state sponsors of terrorism. Individuals who apply for a new visa in Canada and/or Mexico, but are denied such a visa, are also not eligible to benefit from the Automatic Visa Revalidation option.

    IMPORTANT: This information only pertains to reentering the U.S. You may need a visitor's visa, or an eTA, in order to enter Canada. Click here for more information.