Can I renew my F1 visa AFTER expiration?

[Harsh_77 718]

What is this concept of renewing or extending your visa while being in USA?

I think that is IMPOSSIBLE to do. A visa for USA can only be obtained at USA Consulates and Embassies OUTSIDE the USA.

Correct me if I am wrong.

What you are talking about is stamping, that can be only done out of US.

Say for example a student has 4 yr on F1, whatever reason student did not finish the course work for the degree and needs additional time an extension can be filed which would extend the status.

[Leo7777 243]

What you are talking about is stamping, that can be only done out of US.

Say for example a student has 4 yr on F1, whatever reason student did not finish the course work for the degree and needs additional time an extension can be filed which would extend the status.

Harsh, you originally wrote: "Did you just renew (extend) your visa while being in US . . ."

I am not an expert on this; that is why I am trying to clarify.

I understand that once a person is in the USA on an F-1 visa, he or she can stay beyond the expiration date of that visa if they get an appropriate I-20 and they stay in good status at the school.

But that is not renewing or extending the visa. The visa has still expired, although it will not adversely affect the student if they stay in good standing at their school. However, they CANNOT exit the USA and expect to return on this expired visa.

It gives me a jolt when you and others talk about renewing visa 'while in USA' because I understand it cannot be done.

If it can be done; please tell how it can be done.

Thanks

[Harsh_77 718]

Harsh, you originally wrote: "Did you just renew (extend) your visa while being in US . . ."

I am not an expert on this; that is why I am trying to clarify.

I understand that once a person is in the USA on an F-1 visa, he or she can stay beyond the expiration date of that visa if they get an appropriate I-20 and they stay in good status at the school.

But that is not renewing or extending the visa. The visa has still expired, although it will not adversely affect the student if they stay in good standing at their school. However, they CANNOT exit the USA and expect to return on this expired visa.

It gives me a jolt when you and others talk about renewing visa 'while in USA' because I understand it cannot be done.

If it can be done; please tell how it can be done.

Thanks

Your I-20 would be expiring the date your visa is expiring.. you would need a new I-20 your school will send the request to USCIS and you should get a letter from USCIS extending your status that will also include a new I-94 (the number on both would be same but there would be a nw i-94 attached with the letter).

Normally DSO also would put in SEVIS why extra time is required besided the allocated time for the student.

[newacct 688]

Your I-20 would be expiring the date your visa is expiring.. you would need a new I-20 your school will send the request to USCIS and you should get a letter from USCIS extending your status that will also include a new I-94 (the number on both would be same but there would be a nw i-94 attached with the letter).

Normally DSO also would put in SEVIS why extra time is required besided the allocated time for the student.

No, you will not get a new I-94. Your old I-94 is just as good. And the I-20 would not expire when the visa expires, because the I-20 is given by the school before you apply for your visa, and the visa's validity for some countries is fixed to 1 year, regardless of how long the I-20 is.

[Harsh_77 718]

No, you will not get a new I-94. Your old I-94 is just as good. And the I-20 would not expire when the visa expires, because the I-20 is given by the school before you apply for your visa, and the visa's validity for some countries is fixed to 1 year, regardless of how long the I-20 is.

When you change your status or extend your status, USCIS will send an approval letter and on the bottom right hand corner of the letter there will be a new I-94 (Same number as your original I-94).

[newacct 688]

When you change your status or extend your status, USCIS will send an approval letter and on the bottom right hand corner of the letter there will be a new I-94 (Same number as your original I-94).

But getting an I-20 is not the same thing as change of status or extension of status.

[Leo7777 243]

When you change your status or extend your status, USCIS will send an approval letter and on the bottom right hand corner of the letter there will be a new I-94 (Same number as your original I-94).

More confusion here.

I-94 is the form previously filled out and stamped at the port of entry.

Nothing to do with process of getting a new F-1, getting extension of I-20, etc.

[Teamswirly 3]

I am an F1 student with an expired visa for over 2 years.You can renew your visa in your home country as long as you have a valid 1-20.I have a couple of friends who they did not even pester to show eveidence of the bank statement.They just check and see that you have been a good student and have not been out of status then they grants you another 2 year visa.It mostly advised you go renew in france just incase they refuse which it is likely not.

[Harsh_77 718]

But getting an I-20 is not the same thing as change of status or extension of status.

One would need a new I-20 for extending the F1 status, assuming expiry date on previous I-20 was matching the expiry date on the stamped F1.

When the extension is approved a letter is sent by USCIS and on the bottom right hand corner will be new i-94 (which will have the same serial number from original I-94 that was attached to the passport at POE)

More confusion here.

I-94 is the form previously filled out and stamped at the port of entry.

Nothing to do with process of getting a new F-1, getting extension of I-20, etc.

There is no confusion... don't know what you are not able to understand in when your request for extension is approved by USCIS you get an approval letter, which will have an I-94 attached in bottom right corner of the letter (serial number on that and original one from POE will be same).

Edited October 20, 2013 by Harsh_77

[newacct 688]

When the extension is approved a letter is sent by USCIS and on the bottom right hand corner will be new i-94 (which will have the same serial number from original I-94 that was attached to the passport at POE)

Why would they give you a new I-94 if it would be identical to the old one?

[Leo7777 243]

Harsh, thanks for the info and reference to the sample visa extension.

The confusion between what you were saying and what I was thinking is because this topic is about Student Visa's and you are referring to info about Visitor's visa.

But this raises a new question for me.

Apparently there is a procedure to request an extension of Visitors Visa "WHILE YOU ARE STILL in USA."

But, as I understand it, there is no similar procedure to request extension of Student F-1 Visa while still in USA. Yes, I know you can stay with expired F-1 provided you have updated I-20; but we need an extended F-1 so can travel outside USA and re-enter.

Is is impossible??

Strange they will extend a visitors visa, but not a student visa - - - while still in USA.

[Leo7777 243]

I am an F1 student with an expired visa for over 2 years.You can renew your visa in your home country as long as you have a valid 1-20.I have a couple of friends who they did not even pester to show eveidence of the bank statement.They just check and see that you have been a good student and have not been out of status then they grants you another 2 year visa.

It mostly advised you go renew in France just in case they refuse, which is not likely.

Can you elaborate on the part in Red?

So, if they refuse to renew when you are in your home country, then what will happen? You cannot leave your home country - - - you cannot re-enter USA - - - or what?

Whereas, if they refuse to renew when you visit USA embassy in France (where France is not your home country) - - - then you can obviously leave France - - - but you can also re-enter USA? Is that what you are saying?

Strange that your visa to USA would be cancelled if you applied while in your home country; but not cancelled if you applied in a third country.

[Teamswirly 3]

They advice you to renew in your home country incase you are not granted your home and have family to assist.It is also possible to renew in another third country but its risky.

[Harsh_77 718]

Harsh, thanks for the info and reference to the sample visa extension.

The confusion between what you were saying and what I was thinking is because this topic is about Student Visa's and you are referring to info about Visitor's visa.

But this raises a new question for me.

Apparently there is a procedure to request an extension of Visitors Visa "WHILE YOU ARE STILL in USA."

But, as I understand it, there is no similar procedure to request extension of Student F-1 Visa while still in USA. Yes, I know you can stay with expired F-1 provided you have updated I-20; but we need an extended F-1 so can travel outside USA and re-enter.

Is is impossible??

Strange they will extend a visitors visa, but not a student visa - - - while still in USA.

You can request for extension on F1 as well the same way.

You get a similar letter when an extension is approved by USCIS.... your school's DSO would have to approve the extension also provide the reason why you require extension and as I said earlier might need to issue a new I-20 if your older one is expiring.

As far as I know even with the extension letter you cannot re-enter, if you want to re-enter you will have to go to consulate and get that extension stamped as another F1 visa.

Extension just show you are in good standing and can be used at places like DMV etc to extend your DL etc. Also it proves you were in good standing.

My original answers have been to OP and not to your particular situation.

Edited October 20, 2013 by Harsh_77

[saks138 0]

Hi,

I am on F1 student visa (PhD graduate) which expired few years back (in 2012). But, I have a valid I20, EAD till June 2016 and a well-paying full-time job. Also I am in OPT stem extension.
I have to travel to India for a family emergency. If I travel, I have to apply for a student visa, so that I can re-enter the country.
Now what are all the chances that my student visa will be extended. Please advice on this.

My Lawyers are suggesting that I mayn't have any problem since I am holding a valid I20 with expiration date of June 2016, full-time job and valid EAD expiring June 2016.

Though, I am little worried.

Note : Also, I haven't started the Green card process. But, I applied for H1B this year and it is not picked.

Thanks.,
-Balaji