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Visa Application

Employees must contact the Visa Office before traveling outside the U.S., regardless of the validity of their visa stamp. Special rules might apply, depending on their status, where they are visiting, and how long they will be outside the U.S.

Below is a list of documents that should always accompany any foreign national temporarily departing the U.S.:

• F-1 employees should have an up-to-date Form I-20 from their school and unexpired passport. They should advise their International Office of their travel plans, to ensure their SEVIS record is up-to-date. If their F-1 visa is expiring, they should talk to their International Office about visa processing. Please also see our Visa Processing and Security Clearances information for details about the length of time the visa application likely will take.
  
  
• H-1B and O-1 employees should have copies of: (i) your most recent Form I-797 Approval Notice, (ii) the most recently approved H or O petition, (iii) an Employment Confirmation Letter (from the Visa Office), and (iv) unexpired passport with unexpired H-1B visa. If the H-1B or O-1 visa is expiring, the foreign national must talk with the Visa Office before making any travel plans. If porting (transferring) H-1B status from one employer to Fermilab at the time of travel, they also should have a copy of the Form I-797 Receipt Notice for the filing.
  
  
• J-1 exchange visitors must have their original Form DS-2019, which must be “revalidated” (signed) within 6 months of the date you will seek re-admission to the U.S. Employees also should have an Employment Confirmation Letter (issued by the Visa Office). If your DS-2019 requires revalidation, you must make an appointment with the Visa Office and bring it with you for signature.

Beware: If your U.S. visa is expiring or has expired, you might be unable to obtain a visitor’s visa for your destination country. For example, Italy will not issue visitor’s visas if your U.S. visa has expired, regardless of whether a visa application is scheduled at a U.S. Consulate in Italy during the visit, and regardless of whether your I-94 (status) is unexpired. If your destination country requires a valid and unexpired U.S. visa before issuance of a visitor’s visa, please contact the Visa Office immediately to discuss where and when you can make your U.S. visa application.

Please always remember to provide the Visa Office with a copy of your new I-94 Card (and visa) when you return to the U.S!

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Visit the Employment Office’s online International Orientation, which offers many resources about adjusting to life in the U.S., including information about banking, taxes and more.  More Resources coming soon!

Lengthy Delays for Visa Applicants

Changes to the Visa Waiver Program for visitors to the U.S.

Consular Security Clearances affecting visa applications to visit Fermilab

What is an I-94 Card?