F-1 Student Visa about to expire

[alicante 0]

Hey,

I live and study in Ann Arbor, Michigan since 3 years and my visa is about to expire. I just transfered to a different school, and will appropriately stay 2 years longer until I am done and can go back to Germany. When I transfered I got a new I - 20 form plus they changed my SEVIS status. Now I don't really know where to go to extend my visa. I checked a couple of websites, like http://www.uscis.gov, but they weren't a big help either.

Another website said that it's not even necessary to extend my visa at this moment. Only once I leave the country (e.g. vacation) , and want to re-enter, I will need a new issued visa by my country, in this case Germany. Is this correct, or not?

My visa runs out in 4 weeks ... I just wanna make sure so no one is gunne say " you are too late " in 4 weeks !

Thanks,

[canadian_wife 1,822]

Have you spoken to the DSO at your school?

That should be your first stop, if unhelpful...then go to your international admissions officer

good luck

[Little_My 464]

As long as you have

1) An I-94 card in your passport that has a stamp and the letters "D/S" written on it

2) A valid I-20 that reflects your current studies

and

3) as long as you won't drop below full time course load or drop out of school..

...you do not need to renew your visa. In fact, you cannot renew your visa while you are in the US. You can only be issued a new F1 through a US embassy or consulate abroad.

If / when you decide to travel abroad, keep in mind that you will need sufficient time to get a new visa while outside the US, since you will need a valid F1 to re-enter the country. Might be a good idea to check before traveling what the process of renewign an expired F1 is in the country you will be traveling to, and how long it takes.

Other than that, you are all good to go, continue your studies, and enjoy the summer in the US.

Edited May 4, 2011 by Little_My

[Harsh_77 718]

Yep Little capture everything that you need to renew your F1.

As long as your I94 says valid until maintains the F1 Status are you are legal, visa is only required for re-entry.

your DSO should help you with this.

[alicante 0]

wow, thanks for the fast responses guys ...

I just emailed the international advisor of my school

[alicante 0]

that's her response:

Your I-20 does not expire until 2015. If your visa expires in 2011, then you will need to contact your counsel from Germany to have that extended. On the institutional end, you are fine. Please let me know if you have any questions.

So does that mean I have to extend my visa now or only when I leave the country and want to come back? .. I am talking about the Visa stamp in my passport, it says it expires June 30th.

[Little_My 464]

What does your I-94 card say? That's what determines the duration of your authorized stay in the US.

[francastor 1]

Most I-94 cards for F-1 students say D/S, you're fine as long as you don't drop below the 12 hours. The Visa expiration date only means that you'd have to reaply if you leave the country, but as long as you're in you are OK.