Hi everyone,
I have a question about automatic visa revalidation for reentering the U.S. from Canada.
My son is currently in the U.S. in H-4 status. His H-4 visa stamp in the passport expired in 2025, but he has valid H-4 status and a valid I-94. We are planning a short trip to Canada for about 6 days, and then returning to the U.S. We are not applying for a new U.S. visa in Canada.
The primary H-1B holder, me , has a valid H-1B visa stamp in his passport. My daughter , who is 12 years old, is also in H-4 status and has an expired H-4 visa stamp, but valid H-4 status/I-94.
From what I understand, automatic visa revalidation should allow H-4 dependents to reenter the U.S. after a trip to Canada of less than 30 days, as long as they have valid I-94s and meet the other requirements.
My main concern is about biometrics/fingerprints for my son. The last time my son traveled internationally and got his U.S. visa, he was under 14 years old. He is now almost 18, and he has not left the U.S. since before he turned 14. Because of that, I do not think he has fingerprints/biometrics on file in the U.S. from after age 14.
So my question is: Can he still use automatic visa revalidation to reenter the U.S. from Canada if his expired H-4 visa was issued before age 14 and he has not given fingerprints since turning 14?
Has anyone had experience with a child/dependent who turned 14+ after their last visa stamp and later reentered using automatic visa revalidation? Did CBP just take fingerprints/photo at the border or send them to secondary inspection?
We will carry his passport, expired H-4 visa, valid I-94, H-4 approval documents if applicable, the H-1B holder’s valid visa stamp, I-797/I-94, proof of relationship, my sister’s documents, and proof that the Canada trip is under 30 days.
Thank you.