| Visa Class | Visa Stamp | Visa Document | Obtaining the visa stamp |
| E | E-3 for principal E-3D for dependent spouse or child under 21 | Appointment letter and academic and professional credentials for a new application at the consular post. Copy of I-797 Approval Notice if an extension has been given in the U.S. I-94 with E-3 notation for principal. I-94 with E-3D notation for family. | Initial stamp and extensions are available only from a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. You cannot extend your visa stamp inside the U.S. |
| F | F-1 for principal, F-2 for spouse F-2 for children under 21 | I-20 for F-1 principal. I-20 for each F-2 family member. | Initial stamp and extensions are available only from a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. You cannot extend your visa stamp inside the U.S. Be sure the most recent adviser's signature on the I-20 will be no more than one year old when you return to the U.S. (or no more than six months old if you are returning for OPT). Be prepared to show evidence of adequate funding. |
| J | J-1 for principal, J-2 for spouse J-2 for children under 21 | DS-2019 for principal DS-2019 for each family member. | Initial stamp and extensions are available only from a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. You cannot extend your visa stamp inside the U.S. Be sure the most recent adviser's signature on the DS-2019 will be no more than one year old when you return to the U.S. Be prepared to show evidence of adequate funding. |
| H | H-1, H-2 or H-3 for principal, H-4 for spouse H-4 for children under 21 | Copy of: I-797 Approval Notice, I-129, offer letter, and LCA for principal. Copy of I-797 Approval Notice for family. | Initial stamp and extensions are available only from a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. You cannot extend your visa stamp inside the U.S. |
| O | O-1 for principal, O-3 for spouse and children under 21 | Copy of: I-797 Approval Notice, I-129, and offer letter for principal. Copy of I-797 Approval Notice for family. | Initial stamp and extensions are available only from a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. You cannot extend your visa stamp inside the U.S. |
| TN | No visa stamp required for Canadian citizens Mexican citizens must have visa stamps. | Appointment letter and academic and professional credentials for a new application at the border. Copy of I-797 Approval Notice if an extension has been given in the U.S. I-94 with TN notation for principal. I-94 with TD notation for family. | Visa stamps are not required for Canadian citizens. Mexican citizens may obtain initial and extension stamps from a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. |
