CANADIAN CITIZENS - J-1 VISA RENEWAL

As long as you stay in the U.S. during the new term (second or third year), the DS-2019 renewal form keeps you in J-1 visa status.  You do not need to leave the U.S. to renew the J-1 visa.  First, read page 2 on the reverse side of your DS-2019 renewal form, then sign and date it where required in the bottom portion.  Afterwards, fold and staple it into your passport.  Keep your previous DS-2019 form(s) in your passport. 

If you travel outside of the U.S., upon re-entry to the U.S. from Canada, present to the U.S. Immigration Inspector at the U.S./Canadian border the attached, signed DS-2019 form and your valid passport for the officer to stamp your J-1 visa renewal.  Keep this letter with you in case you need it.

You DO NOT have to pay the SEVIS-901 fee to renew your J1 visa. It is a one-time fee.

If you have an updated DS-2019 form with a 3-year term, and travel validation good for the time period during which you will re-enter the U.S., you can re-enter from any country.

If your previous DS-2019 form expired and you have a renewal DS-2019 form, you can re-enter from Canada into the U.S. and obtain an I-94 card marked J-1 and D/S to renew your J-1 visa status.

You will be given an I-94 card at the U.S./Canadian border.  Before leaving the immigration inspector, check to make sure the I-94 card is marked "D/S" and that J-1 is your visa classification.  Keep the white card stapled inside your passport along with the DS-2019 form that the inspector must return to you.

Bear in mind that you obtain a one-year J-1 visa renewal from Canada just by crossing the border and presenting the renewal DS-2019 form.  If you reenter the U.S from a country other than Canada, you may be required to first make an appointment at an American Embassy in that country, and then apply for a J-1 visa renewal.  Check with the American Embassy in Canada for any additional steps that you must take as a Canadian citizen, if applicable.  For telephone nos. to contact one of the American Embassies in Canada, see J-1 visa appointments in Canada.

CHF does not issue the J-1 visa, therefore, you must check with the American Embassy in Canada to find out what their current policy is.  Visa policies sometimes change without notice, especially in Canada and in Mexico.

Though the Cordell Hull Foundation does everything possible to inform you of the visa process, J-1 regulations call for the exchange teacher to know and understand the specific regulations governing entry to the U.S. vis-a-vis his or her country.  An exchange visitor program sponsor is charged with the responsibility to provide J-1 visa support to allow a teacher to work for 1-3 years in the U.S., to approve J-1 visa sponsorship of a , and to help you adjust to life in the U.S.  It is beyond the purview of J-1 visa sponsors to facilitate international travel of teachers after entering the U.S. in J-1 visa status.  After original entry to the U.S., it is up to the individual teacher to educate him or herself on the visa requirements for his or her country of origin to visit another country, and for Canadians, to re-enter the U.S. in J-1 visa status.

Please go online to www.cordellhull.net and click on CHF Datasheet, fill in, and click the SUBMIT button at the end of the form.  Whenever you change address or telephone no., fill in an updated datasheet.  We wish you a successful and fulfilling exchange teaching experience.