Visa Renewal in Canada/Mexico

If you are interested in renewing your current visa without returning to your home country, you may renew in Canada or Mexico.  Change of status from one visa category to another is not recommended.  You must be a current F/J visa holder, maintaining your immigration status, have a valid passport and its advisable that your visa is current for 60 days.    Renew your passport if it will expire within 6 months.  You should apply for renewal at least 60 days before your visa expires.  You may need a visa to enter Canada or Mexico.  For more information on obtaining a visa, go to www.embassies.org.  Check under the appropriate information for the embassy you plan to visit.

Border posts:

Canada

• Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, Quebec and Ottawa

Mexico

• Tijuana, Nogales, Nuevo Laredo, Ciudad Juarez, Matamoros

Each post has various rules and policies regarding eligible visa categories, attorney representation, interpreters, and processing time. Appointments are generally available and most visas are issued within 2 days.

How to book an appointment:

Canada – www.nvars.com or call 1-888-840-0032 (it is anticipated that the Canadian posts will be changing the appointment scheduling contractor in December 2005)

Mexico – www.visa-usa.com.mx or call 1-900-476-1212.  Must purchase a PIN for $10.00 in order to access the web site.  The PIN is good for 10 days after the appointment in case of a change in appointment.  The PIN may be purchased using MasterCard or VISA.

Appointments are usually made 14 days in advance; however, all posts have an emergency appointment request procedure.  If the procedure is not listed on the post web site., call or email the non-immigrant visa section chief at the individual post.

How to pay the visa and reciprocity fees:

Canada

• Visa fee – usually paid in U.S. cash inside the consulate/embassy
• Reciprocity fees – usually paid in U.S. cash at the post after the visa has been approved.  Some posts may accept credit card payment.

Mexico

• Visa fee – must be paid in advance at a branch of Banamex.  These bank offices open at 9:00 am and require the applicant’s passport number.  Banamex will issue a receipt to be submitted with the application.
• Reciprocity fees – usually paid in U.S. cash at the post after the visa has been approved.  Some post may accept credit card payment.

Risks:

Applicants denied a visa must travel back to their home country directly from Canada or Mexico.  In Mexico, if the current visa has expired, the applicant is charged a fine and then must return to their home country.