Travel

If you are traveling outside the U.S. while on a J-1 visa, please remember to travel with all valid travel documents and in accordance with the following guidelines:

All travel outside the U.S.

  • Exchange visitors (EV) must travel with their 3 main documents: DS-2019, visa stamp, and I-94 card.
  • A travel validation signature from an IO advisor is required on an EV’s DS-2019 to re-enter the U.S. Please come to the IO for this signature prior to travel. Travel validation signatures are good for one year.
  • Please be mindful, if you are traveling and you will be obtaining a visa stamp, there may be some delay due to a background check or further administrative review.  If you are subject to this delay and your case has not cleared in 60 days of your visa interview, please contact the IO.  Once the IO receives your request we will coordinate a congressional inquiry on your behalf.  Please note this is strictly an inquiry and may not result in the expediting of your visa.  For further information, please see our Visa Process Delay page.

Traveling to Canada, Mexico, and most adjacent islands for 30 days or less

  • If the EV's J-1 visa stamp has expired, travel is allowed with an expired visa stamp and a valid DS-2019
  • EV’s I-94 card will not be surrendered nor will a new one be issue upon re-entering the U.S.

Obtaining Immigration Documents for Travel

The IO the following documents on file and provide them to Northwestern University J-1 exchange visitors upon request:

  • J-1 visa support letter
  • J-1 visa status letter

Please request these documents through the International Office Scholar Electronic Document Request and allow 2 weeks for processing. The IO will notify you when we receive your request and when your request has been processed.