Traveling abroad while in the United States with a Visa?

[Elske]

Hello,

I really hope that you guys can help me with this. I've been looking all over the internet and have sent several emails to immigration helpsites. I am a Dutch exchange student, here in the United States for 10 months on a J1 visa. Over spring break, which is in 2 weeks, my hostfamily wants to take me on a vacation to Mexico or the Caribbean, something like that. I've been wondering though if it will cause problems with my re-entry into the United States, or if I will just be let back in because my visa doesn't expire till the end of June.

Again, I hope you guys can help me with this.
Thanks in advance!

Elske van Doren

[taco]

1. Is your J visa a multiple entry visa (Is there an M written on the visa)?
2. What is the the expiry date on your I-94 card (stamped to your passport
when you entered the country)?

Hello,

I really hope that you guys can help me with this. I've been looking all over the internet and have sent several emails to immigration helpsites. I am a Dutch exchange student, here in the United States for 10 months on a J1 visa. Over spring break, which is in 2 weeks, my hostfamily wants to take me on a vacation to Mexico or the Caribbean, something like that. I've been wondering though if it will cause problems with my re-entry into the United States, or if I will just be let back in because my visa doesn't expire till the end of June.

Again, I hope you guys can help me with this.
Thanks in advance!

Elske van Doren

[Elske]

Yes, there is an M on my visa.

And about the expiry date.. I have no idea, the stamp on my I-94 card just has the date that I entered on it, it says J1 on there and something that I can't read, what might just be the initials of the official who let me in. (The same stamp is in my passport itself, it doesn't say anything on there.) My visa doesn't expire till June 30th though.

Thanks for your reaction so far!

[taco]

Your I-94 likely says D/S (duration of stay) as the expiry date which means
you can stay in the US till the end of your J-1 program.

Since you have an multiple entry J visa, it should not be a problem to make
the trip. Immigration has some FAQs posted for travelling students(F visa) which in my opinion will hold true for J visa as well.

Keep a copy of your current I-94 for your record ( you will have to deposit the original with the airline while departing )while departing

[Elske]

17. Are there any travel restrictions on J-1 visa?

No, there are no travel restrictions on J-1 visa. You may plan with your employer and travel out of the U.S. any number of times while on valid J-1 visa.

This is what I found on a different website so I think I should be fine. It doesn't say anything about the I-20 form mentioned in the link you gave me. I'm going to assume that everything is fine. Thank you for your help though!