Leaving the U.S. and Re-applying for an F-1

[Fiddling 0]

I am a USC posting a question on behalf of my boyfriend who is an Iranian citizen who is pursuing a Ph.D. in AMO (atomic, molecular, and optical) physics and works with lasers on an F-1 visa. His research is actually quite basic and is very far removed from industrial/nuclear applications, but with words like "atomic physics" and "lasers" it may be hard to believe.

He was issued a single entry F-1 visa, originally valid for 30 days, which has long since expired (he has a valid I-20). There is a very important conference in his field that is being held in Canada this summer. If he goes, he runs the risk of not being able to re-enter the U.S. There is a U.S. Consulate located in the same city as the conference which currently has a posted waiting time of about a week to obtain an interview and have the visa processed. However, being an Iranian in AMO physics who works with lasers, I am sure that his application will have to go through administrative processing.

After having lived in the U.S. for 5 years and going through federal background checks to work in national laboratories, would administrative processing take as long as it does with other Iranian nationals waiting for their FIRST F-1 visa? (We know two Iranian students who have been waiting for four months in administrative processing limbo and have had to defer their enrollment.)

We're both inclined to think that staying in the U.S. is the wiser decision, but hoping for the off-change possibility that administrative processing takes significantly less time for students who have already been studying in the U.S. and making good progress in their program.

Thanks for your time.

[ndu26 114]

His single entry visa is expired though I-120 still current. If you both decide he stays in the U.S, how is that the wiser decision considering he will be out of status?

[Darnell 8,479]

I would also 'pose all' as you've written above, to his DSO.

The DSO might have some pull, in getting something handled to attend the conference in Canada.

[jkb11 26]

Can't F-1 visa holders travel to contiguous territory with an expired visa stamp, but valid I-20, and have their visa automatically revalidated upon re-entry? Since OP's SO wants to travel to Canada, this should solve the problem?

Cheers

Edited February 8, 2013 by jkb11

[Boiler 45,863]

Odd that he was given a one month visa and is now land locked.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

I think single entry F-1s are the only available option for certain countries.

Edited February 8, 2013 by Harpa Timsah

[Darnell 8,479]

what word from the DSO at his school?