Travel outside the U.S.
If you choose to travel abroad during your time as a student or scholar at Wayne State University (WSU), you'll want to make re-entry to the U.S. as smooth as possible. Having the right documents with you will help.
Before making any travel plans that will take you outside the U.S., consult with your Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) advisor. You should also review any current travel warnings before you travel abroad.
Short-term travel (less than 30 days)
Under automatic revalidation, if you are a visa holder in F, J, H or O status, or you have legally changed status in the U.S., you can travel to Canada and/or Mexico and return to the U.S. within 30 days using an expired visa stamp in your passport.
Students and scholars in F and J status also can enter an adjacent island (islands in the Caribbean except Cuba) and re-enter the U.S. with an expired visa stamp.
Don't forget that you may need an entry visa to enter Canada, Mexico or adjacent islands, so check with any country you plan to visit to find out if you need a visa to enter.
You may not leave Canada, Mexico or an adjacent island to travel to another country and return to the U.S. with your expired visa stamp. All of your travel must remain within contiguous countries (or an adjacent island if you hold F or J status).
Do not apply for a visa of any kind at a U.S. embassy or consulate while visiting Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean, as you will not be able to re-enter the U.S. with an expired visa stamp if you have applied for a new visa, even if the application decision is pending.
Citizens of countries designated as a State Sponsor of Terrorism must always have a valid visa to re-enter the U.S. You are not eligible for automatic revalidation.
Remember that you may still have to pass security or other clearances before being allowed to re-enter the U.S. That may require you to remain outside the U.S. for up to 120 additional businesses days, so it's important to understand what is needed before you can reenter the U.S.
Long-term travel (more than 30 days)
If your visa has expired and you will be out of the country for more than 30 days, you must apply for a new U.S. entry visa to return. This may require an in-person interview or other delays, so make sure to give yourself ample time to apply for a new visa.