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I and my wife have J1 and J2 visas, respectively, and my DS-2019 program starts from the 1st July 2019.

Now, I have to travel to Canada on the 25th of June and my flight has a transit through Philadelphia.

Can I transit through the US to Canada using these J1 and J2 visas (which are valid from 1st July) on the 26th June 2019 (which falls within the 30 day grace period before the starting of the program)?

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  • US visas do not have a "valid from" date; they are valid from the moment of issue. Do you mean that the DS-2019 program period begins on that date, or that the 30-day grace period begins on that date? Or is that date significant for some other reason? – phoog May 8 '19 at 15:43
  • My DS 2019 program starts from 1st July. However, I am expecting to get my visa stamped by first week of June. If we get out J1 and J2 visa by first week of June, can we use this visa to transit through US to Canada on June 25. – Sharu May 8 '19 at 15:45
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    So the question really is whether you can use your J visas for a transit to Canada during the 30-day grace period that precedes the start of your program. I suspect that the answer is yes, but I do not know. – phoog May 8 '19 at 15:46
  • Thanks so much. Could you please suggest from where I can get confirmation on this? – Sharu May 8 '19 at 15:50
  • @phoog Logically why not? J students/scholars are allowed to enter and leave the USA on their valid visas as many times as they want. As you pointed out his plans fall within the 30 day grace period so his transit can just be viewed as coming to the USA and going back home before returning to actually start the program. I don’t think one will find explicitly a memo allowing it. – Augustine of Hippo May 8 '19 at 15:52

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