Office of the President
Aerial view of the Montclair State University Campus.

Travel in E-3 and E-3D Status

International travel can be daunting, so this page is designed to assist you with applying for or renewing an E-3 visa and passing through Customs to enter the U.S. In addition, please refer to the university’s Immigration-DACA page before you travel.

Whenever you will travel outside the U.S. and reenter in E-3 status, please carry the following documents in your carry-on bag: 

  • Valid E-3 visa
  • Passport should be valid for 6 months at time of entry to the U.S. (However, if the country from which your passport was issued is listed here under Countries That Extend Passport Validity for an Additional Six Months After Expiration, the country extends passport validity for an additional six months after the passport’s expiration date, so you may use your passport to enter the U.S. as long as it is unexpired.)
  • MSU job offer letter and any subsequent reappointment letters
  • Last four pay stubs
  • Recommended: employment verification letter from HR
  • Copy of most recent Form W-2

If an E-3D dependent will be traveling with you, your dependent (or you, on a dependent child’s behalf) should carry the following documents in a carry-on bag: 

  • Valid E-3D visa
  • Passport should be valid for 6 months at time of entry to the U.S. (However, if the country from which your passport was issued is listed here under Countries That Extend Passport Validity for an Additional Six Months After Expiration, the country extends passport validity for an additional six months after the passport’s expiration date, so you may use your passport to enter the U.S. as long as it is unexpired.)
  • Copies of E-3 employee’s official job offer letter signed by the President of Montclair State University and any subsequent reappointment letters
  • Copies of E-3 employee’s last four pay stubs
  • Recommended: copy of E-3 employee’s employment verification letter from HR
  • Copy of the E-3D dependent’s birth certificate (for a child) or marriage certificate (for a spouse)
  • Copy of E-3 employee’s most recent Form W-2

If you or any of your dependents has a pending change of status application (I-129 or I-539) with USCIS, or you are in the midst of an application for Lawful Permanent Residence (I-140 or I-485), please speak with Elizabeth Gill, Director of International Employment and Immigration in the Office of University Counsel, before making travel plans.

I-94 Information: 

  • Always check your I-94 stamp before leaving the Port of Entry (airport or U.S. border) to be sure that your classification (E-3) and date of entry are correct. If anything is incorrect, get it fixed before you leave the airport.
  • After arriving in the U.S., check your electronic I-94 information to verify that it is also correct.

If you have additional questions about your travel, please contact Elizabeth Gill, Director of International Employment and Immigration in the Office of University Counsel, for assistance.

Reentering the U.S. with Automatic Visa Revalidation

Automatic Revalidation allows certain nonimmigrants to depart the U.S. and re-enter with an expired nonimmigrant visa stamp in their valid passport after visiting Canada, Mexico or an “adjacent island” for less than 30 days. The policies and regulations regarding Automatic Visa Revalidation from the Department of State should be reviewed carefully before you travel; it is also highly recommended that you print out a copy of the Department of State’s guidance to carry with you when you travel.

According to the Department of State, nonimmigrants who otherwise meet the requirements are NOT eligible for Automatic Visa Revalidation if they:

  • Applied for a new visa which has not yet been issued;
  • Applied for a new visa and was denied;
  • Has been outside of the United States for more than thirty days;
  • Has traveled to a country other than Canada, Mexico, or an adjacent island which is not included in the automatic revalidation provisions;
  • Is a national of a State Sponsor of Terrorism designated country, including Iran, Syria, and Sudan. Review more about State Sponsors of Terrorism.
  • Is in possession of an F student visa or J exchange visitor visa and has traveled to Cuba;
  • Is in possession of an M student visa and has traveled to a location outside the United States, other than Canada and Mexico.

You must have the following documents to re-enter the U.S. using Automatic Visa Revalidation:

  • Form I-94 or Print-Out of Electronic I-94. Get the printout of your electronic I-94. If you have a paper I-94 card (card attached to your Approval Notice or in your passport), you must be sure that the Customs officer/airline attendant does not take your I-94 upon your departure from the U.S. If you have an electronic I-94 and plan to depart the U.S. by plane but reenter by land, you should be sure that the Customs officer gives you a new I-94 number when reentering the U.S.
  • Immigration Documents/Other Documentation: You will need all of the documents listed above under “Travel in E-3 and E-3D Status” except the valid visa. In addition, if you have renewed your passport and the expired visa is in your old passport, you must carry the passport that contains your expired visa.

Travel to Canada

Citizens of certain countries must have a visa to enter Canada. To find out if you need a visa and to obtain visa application instructions, please refer to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). You may also visit the page for the Canadian Consulate in NYC.

Travel to Mexico

Anyone who visits Mexico must have a tourist card or visa; these may be obtained at the Mexican Consulate. For a list of required documents, please refer to the Mexican Consulate in NYC.