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Automatic Revalidation of Visas

May I visit Canada or Mexico if my F-1 Visa has Expired?

Yes, you may visit Canada and Mexico (and adjacent islands to the U.S. other than Cuba) if your F-1 Visa has expired through "Automatic Revalidation of Visa." Under certain circumstances, an F-1 student with an expired visa may re-enter the U.S. as if the visa was valid. The law that covers this situation is 22 CFR 41.112(d). An expired F-1 visa may be considered to be automatically extended to the date of application for readmission to the U.S. Therefore, the visa in the passport need not have an expiration date that is in the future, provided that the F-1 student does the following:

  1. Applies for readmission to the U.S. after an absence not exceeding 30 days solely in Canada, Mexico, or adjacent islands other than Cuba;
  2. Has maintained lawful F-1 status and intends to continue doing so;
  3. Presents a valid passport (unless exempt from passport requirements) containing Form I-94 which authorizes a stay beyond the date of reentry (e.g., D/S)
  4. Has a properly endorsed Form I-20.

A person who entered the U.S. in a classification other than F-1 student, but whose status was subsequently changed to F-1 student, may be considered to have the previous visa automatically revalidated and converted to an F-1 visa if s/he meets the conditions stated above [22 CFR 41.112(d)].

Notes from the Dept. of State 67 Federal Regulation 10323 March 7, 2002:

  1. Citizens of Iraq, Iran, Syria, Libya, Sudan, North Korea, and Cuba are not eligible for the automatic revalidation of visa benefit.
  2. Anyone (regardless of citizenship) who applies for a new visa while in Canada, Mexico, or the contiguous islands, will not be allowed to automatically revalidate his/her visa.