International Student Services

The U.S. Department of State "automatic revalidation of visa" benefit allows F or J students and scholars to travel to "contiguous countries" (Canada, Mexico and adjacent islands other than Cuba) for trips of 30 days or less and return to the U.S. even if the U.S. visa stamp in their passport is expired or their immigration status has been changed. This benefit is not available to citizens from Iraq, Iran, Syria, Libya, Sudan, North Korea, and Cuba. 
F and J students and scholars from all countries who go to Canada or Mexico to apply for a new visa will not be allowed to re-enter the U.S. on an expired visa stamp if the new visa is not approved at the U.S. Consulate.  Students and scholars from all countries, other than the seven countries listed above, can still visit Canada and Mexico and re-enter the U.S. on an expired visa stamp, as long as they have not applied for a new visa and been denied. 

To use this benefit, students should declare their intention to the port of entry official as they leave the U.S. and keep their current I-94s for re-entry.