How can I travel to Mexico during the grace period at the end of my J-1 visa? [closed]

I am a French student and currently working in the US under a J-1 visa. This visa will expire on February 28, 2017. I planned to travel in Mexico during the grace period of 30 days I have with this visa. I just learned that I can only travel in the US and not outside of the borders during that period. It's a risky situation, as Immigration could refuse me re-entry into the US.

Would an ESTA solve my case at Immigration?

Has anyone already experienced this situation?

Best Answer

Under a J1 visa, you have a 30 day grace period to exit the country starting from the end of the program the J1 visa was for. The expiry of the visa is not relevant, and if the program you applied for has not ended you can continue in the country.

Assuming that it is the program that ends on February 28th, you have 30 days to exit the country, and cannot re-enter under the J1 visa. In any case you cannot re-enter on an expired visa. However assuming that you are a French citizen, you should be able to re-enter the US under the Visa Waiver Program at the end of your time in Mexico. You might be asked some extra questions because you entered so soon after the end of your J1, but as long as you can demonstrate that you intend to leave the US, especially if you are only transiting through, you should be fine. I would make sure you have your plane tickets out of the US with you, and ideally some other evidence that you live outside the US. This assumes that you have spent a substantial time in Mexico, not just exited and re-entered, and it also assumes you will be staying in the US only a short time.

If you want to return to the US for some other purpose you will need another visa.

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Can I travel to Mexico with expired J-1 visa?

If you are in J-1 status and your J-1 visa is expired, you may still return to the U.S. from a trip to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean Islands even with an expired visa, provided that you meet all of these conditions: your passport is valid. you have a valid DS-2019 with a valid travel signature.

Can I enter Mexico with expired U.S. visa?

All foreigners, regardless their nationality, are required to present a valid and not expired passport or travel document when entering Mexico (traveling by air, land or sea). The Mexican government only requires that your passport must be valid during the entirety of your trip.

How long can you stay in the U.S. after your J-1 visa expires?

Grace Period: J-1 Visa Holders have a 30 day grace period after the end date on their DS-2019 Form. The Grace Period is a benefit of the J-1 status to allow J-1 visa holders time after their status to remain in the US.

Can I travel to Mexico on F-1 visa?

If you are an F-1 or J-1 student traveling to Canada or Mexico, or the Caribbean it's possible that you do NOT need to obtain a new visa stamp to reenter the U.S. This is referred to as automatic visa re-validation.

J1 Visa: Grace Period Explained

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