Immigration Library: Visa Revalidation

Visa revalidation is the process whereby certain individuals may renew their visa without leaving the country. Foreigners in the U.S. who wish to travel abroad for a brief period are faced with the risk that they will be unable to return to the U.S. after they conclude their trip, since they lack a valid visa allowing them to enter the U.S. Visa revalidation is designed to alleviate this problem by allowing certain foreigners to obtain a new visa through the Department of State, without leaving the U.S.
The Visa Revalidation Process is available to the following classes:

·  E (Treaty traders/Investors)
·  H (Specialty Occupation Aliens)
·  L (Intra-company Transferees)
·  O (Aliens of Extraordinary Ability)
·  P (Artists or Entertainers)

Are there any Additional Requirements?

In addition to having one of the above visas (E, H, L, O, P), one must meet the following:

· be under avalid status, and
· possess a passport that is valid for at least six (6) months; and
·have an original E, H, L, O or P Visa that is valid for 60 days or less, or
· have an original visa that expired within the past twelve (12) months.

(Updated 10/10/12 by NT)

For more information about Visa Revalidation, please refer to the following links: