UNDERSTANDING THE UNITED STATES ENTRY VISAS
All nonimmigrant overseas travelers (excluding Canadians) must have the appropriate visa stamp placed in their passports in order to enter the United States. A "nonimmigrant" is someone who does not intend to stay in the United States permanently. Visas are obtained from a US embassy or consulate in another country. Because a visa is simply a "entry" document, it cannot be obtained within the United States.
People travel to the United States for a variety of reasons. The type of visa you apply for should correspond to the purpose of your trip. An alpha-numeric method is used to classify visa categories. A tourist travelling to study in the United States, for example, may be granted a "F-1" or "J-1" student visa. A "B-2" visa, sometimes known as a tourist visa, may be granted to a visitor to the United States for the purpose of travel. The following is an example of a tourist visa:
People travel to the United States for a variety of reasons. The type of visa you apply for should correspond to the purpose of your trip. An alpha-numeric method is used to classify visa categories. A tourist travelling to study in the United States, for example, may be granted a "F-1" or "J-1" student visa. A "B-2" visa, sometimes known as a tourist visa, may be granted to a visitor to the United States for the purpose of travel. The following is an example of a tourist visa:
What Exactly Is a Visa's Purpose?
A visa enables a nonimmigrant to travel to a U.S. port-of-entry (such as an airport) and show themselves to a U.S. immigration officer. Inspector of Immigration. The inspector will inquire about their intentions for visiting the United States and check to see if the nonimmigrant has the proper visa. An I-94 Arrival/Departure Record will be created once you've been admitted. This shows whatever nonimmigrant status they have been granted and how long they are permitted to stay.
Even if the visa has not yet expired, a J-1 Exchange Visitor should only enter the United States with the visa that has their school's (or program's) name marked on it (see "annotation," above). If you're transferring schools or programs, you'll need to get a new visa with the new program name written on it before entering or reentering the US.
New F-1 students applying for a visa from outside the US should use the F-1 visa with their school's (or program's) name on it to enter the US for the first time. If you are returning to the United States after spending a semester or longer overseas, current Department of State and SEVP guidance states that you do not need to apply for a new F-1 visa if your current F/J student visa is still valid, regardless of the length of time spent abroad. For further information on using an F-1 visa following a withdrawal or leave of absence, visit our Returning Students page.
Transfer F-1 students who have correctly transferred their I-20 to UC Berkeley may continue to travel on an unexpired F-1 visa from a previous school while attending UC Berkeley. Returning transfer students should consult the Returning Students page for information on using an F-1 visa following a withdrawal or leave of absence.
A visa enables a nonimmigrant to travel to a U.S. port-of-entry (such as an airport) and show themselves to a U.S. immigration officer. Inspector of Immigration. The inspector will inquire about their intentions for visiting the United States and check to see if the nonimmigrant has the proper visa. An I-94 Arrival/Departure Record will be created once you've been admitted. This shows whatever nonimmigrant status they have been granted and how long they are permitted to stay.
Even if the visa has not yet expired, a J-1 Exchange Visitor should only enter the United States with the visa that has their school's (or program's) name marked on it (see "annotation," above). If you're transferring schools or programs, you'll need to get a new visa with the new program name written on it before entering or reentering the US.
New F-1 students applying for a visa from outside the US should use the F-1 visa with their school's (or program's) name on it to enter the US for the first time. If you are returning to the United States after spending a semester or longer overseas, current Department of State and SEVP guidance states that you do not need to apply for a new F-1 visa if your current F/J student visa is still valid, regardless of the length of time spent abroad. For further information on using an F-1 visa following a withdrawal or leave of absence, visit our Returning Students page.
Transfer F-1 students who have correctly transferred their I-20 to UC Berkeley may continue to travel on an unexpired F-1 visa from a previous school while attending UC Berkeley. Returning transfer students should consult the Returning Students page for information on using an F-1 visa following a withdrawal or leave of absence.
Expiration of a Visa and the Length of Time Spent in the United States
Although a visa has an expiration date, it has no bearing on how long a person can stay in the US. (Remember, a visa is simply an ENTRY document.) Once in the United States, other variables decide the length of stay permitted. International students on F-1 or J-1 visas are normally allowed to stay in the United States for the duration of their academic programs.
Although a visa has an expiration date, it has no bearing on how long a person can stay in the US. (Remember, a visa is simply an ENTRY document.) Once in the United States, other variables decide the length of stay permitted. International students on F-1 or J-1 visas are normally allowed to stay in the United States for the duration of their academic programs.