Re-entry on J1 visa - need to get it stamped outside the USA?

[caphoto 10]

Ok, I'm hoping someone can help. I tried searching but nothing came up that answered this. My friend is in the USA on a J1 visa and has been granted a 2 year extension. Her current one expires in July. She goes back to Ireland about once a year to visit family - she's been told that she has to get her new J1 visa stamped in order for it to be used to re-entry. Does she need to go all the way back to Ireland to get it stamped? Or can she go to Canada? She's tried calling multiple consulates and embassies and no one is giving her a clear answer. One she called in Canada said that she could be waiting a while (what is a while? a week?! a year?!) If she goes home at Christmas and doesn't get it stamped will she not be allowed back in to the USA?

 

If anyone can help please let me know! I'm not sure if my post makes sense because I'm not familiar at all with the J1 process, just hoping I asked everything she asked me to!

[Coco8 1,042]

Because it is a renewal of the J1 (and not a new J1) she has to go to the place where she got the original J1. The issue is that the renewal procedure is different; sometimes it does not even require a interview though it varies across countries. Probably, she can simply drop off the paperwork and then pick up her passport. 

 

If she were to go to Canada or any other country, she would have to do her visa again and it will require an interview. It is usually not advised to do that. Plus, some consulates near the US have rules about whether people from other countries can go there to get visas. Plus, staying in Canada for three weeks to get the J1 done is going to be much more expensive than getting a ticket to Ireland. Take into account that Canadians usually do not need J1 or F1 or visitor visas, so the Canadian consulate does not have the manpower to handle visas from people from other countries. 

 

She only needs to get a J1 renewal of the one she has on her passport expired. She cannot get into the US with an expired visa. 

 

The holidays is a tricky time to renew a visa because the consulates are closed. Maybe she can go to Ireland during the summer for 2 weeks and it might be enough time to get it done if she starts the process day 1. I had to renew an F1 in another country, and because I did not need an interview for renewal, I started the form the day I got home (she will need the i-94 so she cannot do it before getting there),  paid the processing fee day 2, dropped off the paperwork (with a passport picture, etc), and then I had to wait for the passport.

[caphoto 10]

5 hours ago, Coco8 said:

Because it is a renewal of the J1 (and not a new J1) she has to go to the place where she got the original J1. The issue is that the renewal procedure is different; sometimes it does not even require a interview though it varies across countries. Probably, she can simply drop off the paperwork and then pick up her passport. 

 

If she were to go to Canada or any other country, she would have to do her visa again and it will require an interview. It is usually not advised to do that. Plus, some consulates near the US have rules about whether people from other countries can go there to get visas. Plus, staying in Canada for three weeks to get the J1 done is going to be much more expensive than getting a ticket to Ireland. Take into account that Canadians usually do not need J1 or F1 or visitor visas, so the Canadian consulate does not have the manpower to handle visas from people from other countries. 

 

She only needs to get a J1 renewal of the one she has on her passport expired. She cannot get into the US with an expired visa. 

 

The holidays is a tricky time to renew a visa because the consulates are closed. Maybe she can go to Ireland during the summer for 2 weeks and it might be enough time to get it done if she starts the process day 1. I had to renew an F1 in another country, and because I did not need an interview for renewal, I started the form the day I got home (she will need the i-94 so she cannot do it before getting there),  paid the processing fee day 2, dropped off the paperwork (with a passport picture, etc), and then I had to wait for the passport.

Thank you so much! I'll pass all that information along. I really appreciate you giving such a detailed response.