Ace the 2025 CBP Border Patrol Agent Exam – Patrol Your Way to Success!

The reason "Readmission after obtaining a new visa abroad" is the correct answer in this scenario is that automatic revalidation of F and J visas is specifically designed for individuals who have not obtained a new visa while outside the United States. This provision allows those who have been outside the U.S. for less than 30 days to reenter without needing to apply for a new visa, provided they meet other conditions.

In contrast, if an individual obtains a new visa abroad, they are no longer eligible for automatic revalidation since they are reentering on the basis of that new visa rather than their previous status.

Conversely, the other listed circumstances support the criteria for automatic revalidation: being absent for less than 30 days indicates that the individual maintains continuous status; possessing a valid I-94 or SEVIS form demonstrates lawful presence in the United States; and maintaining nonimmigrant status shows compliance with visa requirements, all of which are essential for benefiting from automatic revalidation.