Travel Authorization Request

  • Travel Authorization Request

    Please ensure you have access to your J-1 Visa documentation as you will need to consult your documents while completing this form.

  • By filling out this form you acknowledge that you have read all information and that your failure to heed any warnings could result in the termination of your J-1 visa sponsorship.

    Important travel information:

    • You will need to carry your passport with valid visa stamp, original DS-2019 Form, and print-out of your I-94 record with you when you travel
    • Please be aware that re-entry to the U.S. is ultimately at the discretion of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers. We are unable to provide absolute certainty regarding the outcome of your re-entry, as this decision is made on a case-by-case basis by CBP. Please review our knowledge hub for important information on this.
    • You may not be outside of the U.S. for more than 30 consecutive days during your J-1 program*
    • You may need a visa to enter the country you plan to visit or travel through. As Cultural Vistas cannot advise on visas other than the U.S. J-1 Visa, please check online to see if you will need a visa for the country to which you are traveling.
    • If your J-1 Visa expires while you are outside of the U.S., you will need to renew your visa at the nearest U.S. embassy or Consulate abroad before reentering the U.S.

    *J-1 Teachers & Research Scholars are exempt from the 30-day maximum guidance

  • Personal Details

    Please provide us with your personal info so we can log your travel information in your record.
  • Will J-2 dependents (your spouse and/or children) be traveling with you?

  • Visa Information

    Please provide us with some details on your visa so we can determine the best course of action for your upcoming trip.
  • Are you a Canadian citizen?*
  • Since you are not a Canadian citizen, please review the visa stamp in your passport to confirm that: 1) the expiration date on your visa is after the date you plan to reenter the U.S., and 2) you have received a multiple entry visa (this will be indicated as an ‘M’ under "Entries" on the visa stamp in your passport).*

  • Visa Stamp Renewal Exemptions

    In some cases, J-1 participants may not have to attend a consular appointment to renew your expired J-1 visa stamp.  Please see below for automatic visa revalidation eligibility. 

    If you meet the following criteria, you may be readmitted at a US port of entry by CBP with a valid DS2019 showing active program dates.

    • Traveling from the US for brief travel to Canada, Mexico, or an adjacent island for thirty days or less;
    • Possess an unexpired admission stamp issued by US Customs and Border Protection in your passport or an unexpired I-94 Arrival/Departure Record ("Admit Until Date" should be after travel dates, or indicate D/S).

  • Steps to apply for a new J-1 Visa Stamp 

    1. Complete the DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa Application* 
    2. Pay the nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV fee) 
    3. Make an appointment to interview for the J-visa at the nearest U.S. Consulate or Embassy
    4. Bring the following documents to your interview: 
      • Passport (valid at least 6 months into the future) 
      • DS-2019 form 
      • Visa application confirmation Page
      • Visa application fee payment receipt
    5. Be sure to have the new J-1 visa stamp and your DS-2019 with the travel validation to present upon reentry to the U.S. when you return

     

    *To complete a new DS-160 form, go to the application website, enter your previous visa application ID, and then hit “Create a New Application.” Your personal information will then populate the form. Be careful to check that all previously submitted information is current and accurate. 

     

  • Travel Documentation

    Please provide us with your travel plans so we can determine the best course of action for your upcoming trip.
  • Are you traveling to Canada, Mexico, or the adjacent islands?*
  • Since you are traveling outside Canada, Mexico, or the adjacent islands, a Cultural Vistas Officer must digitally sign your original DS-2019 Form in the section labeled “Travel Validation By Responsible Officer” before you can re-enter the U.S. after your travels abroad.

  • Please review the following:

    The below image is a sample of the Travel Validation section on a DS-2019 form. 

    You may use this as a reference to compare to your DS-2019 form and determine whether you have an existing travel validation signature, issued by a Cultural Vistas officer, on your most recently issued DS-2019. 

    If you have a signature that was issued more than 12 months ago, you are required to obtain a new travel validation signature.  

  • Image field 49

  • Scan & Submit your DS-2019

    Since you are traveling outside of North America, you are required to upload a scan of your original DS-2019 to obtain a Travel Validation signature from Cultural Vistas.
  • Upload your DS-2019
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  • Upload your J-2's DS-2019
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  • Since you need a Travel Validation signature on your DS-2019, you are required to scan and submit a PDF scan of your original DS-2019 (both sides of the form) to Cultural Vistas. Photographs are not acceptable.

    To scan the document, we recommend using a physical printer/scanner or one of the below mobile apps:

    1. Adobe Scan (Download from Google Play | Download from App Store)
    2. Notes (Download from App Store)

    *Please note that we will not accept photos of your DS-2019. You must submit a scan of the document. To get an acceptable mobile scan, place the document on a flat surface, in a well-lit area. You will be asked to resubmit your scan if it is uneven, distorted, or blurred.

    Once Cultural Vistas has received your DS-2019, you will receive an invoice for the fee of $50, which can be paid via credit card online. This covers processing and handling of your Travel Validation.

  • Travel Information

  • Because you are traveling to Canada, Mexico, or the Adjacent Islands, you do not need to obtain a Travel Validation signature from Cultural Vistas. You may participate in your upcoming trip with the documentation you currently have.

    As a next step, all you need to do is provide Cultural Vistas with the below information about your travel plans; as your visa sponsor, we will log your travel details for the U.S. Department of State.

  • As a next step, please provide Cultural Vistas with the below information about your travel plans; as your visa sponsor, we will log your travel details for the U.S. Department of State.

  • Date Leaving the U.S.:*
     / /
  • Date Returning to the U.S.:*
     - -
  •  - -

  • Research Scholar: Extended Stay Abroad

    In your travel details, you indicated that you will be out of the U.S. for longer than 30 days. In order to document and approve your extended stay request, we will need the following details from you.
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