Your F-1 visa is your ticket to enter the United States and must be paired with an active I-20. If your visa has expired and you plan to exit the United States, learn what to do to ensure a smooth return to your studies. 

---

When Do You Need a New Visa?

If your visa has expired, It is not necessary to have a valid visa while you are studying and remaining in the United States as long as you have an active PCC I-20. Learn what is an active I-20 by visiting Maintaining F-1 Status.

If the visa in your passport has expired AND you plan to leave the United States (this does not include travel to Hawaii or Puerto Rico), you will need to get a new visa before you return to the United States.

Automatic Revalidation

Under automatic revalidation and subject to provisions of immigration law, certain temporary visitors holding expired nonimmigrant visas who seek to return to the U.S. may be admitted to the U.S. by Customs and Border Patrol, if they meet certain requirements: 

• Nonimmigrants (which includes F and J visa holders) who departed the United States for brief travel to Canada, Mexico, or an adjacent island* for thirty (30) days or less, and, 
• Nonimmigrants (which includes F and J visa holders) with a valid (unexpired) admission stamp or paper Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, endorsed by the Department of Homeland Security
  
  

Who does not qualify for automatic revalidation? 

• Citizens or nationals of state sponsors of terrorism as determined by the United States Department of State
• Individuals whose visas have ever been cancelled under INA 222(g)
• Individuals who entered the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP)
• Individuals applying for a U.S. visa while abroad
• Individuals who were not admitted to the U.S. on the basis of a nonimmigrant visa
  
  

Information on Automatic Revalidation*Only F and J students can qualify for Automatic Revalidation when traveling to adjacent islands: Anguilla, Antigua, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Barbuda, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Jamaica, Marie-Galante, Martinique, Miquelon, Montserrat, Saba, Saint-Barthelemy, Saint Christopher, Saint Eustatius, Saint Kitts-Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Maarten, Saint Martin, Saint Pierre, Saint Vincent, Grenadines, Trinidad, Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Other British, French and Netherlands territory or possessions bordering on the Caribbean Sea. (Cuba is not included)

How to Renew your Visa from your Home Country

1. Complete the Travel Request Form.
2. Email completed form to iso@pasadena.edu. 
3. Receive your I-20 with travel signature endorsement to your PCC email. 
4. Follow the steps on How to Apply for Your Visa.

5. Upon your return to the United States, email a copy of your new F-1 visa to iso@pasadena.edu. 

How to Renew your Visa from a Third Country

A "third country" is any country outside of the United States that is not your primary, home country of citizenship. 

It is difficult to apply for a visa from a "third country". If you plan to do this, you must have a valid reason why you are not renewing your visa from your home country of citizenship, such as visiting family or friends, or attending a conference.  

Visa refusal is more likely from a "third country", or you may be advised to apply from your home country. Plan ahead to account for potential visa refusal. 

If you plan to apply for a visa from a "third country", please reach out to your Visa/Educational Advisor for guidance.