Obtaining an F1 visa, after living under F1 status for 4 years

[hasanali 0]

Hi fellows,

I'm, Turkish and came to the states in 2008 summer - with a J1 student exchange program, work and travel. Unfortunately. I changed my status to F1 that winter, via a language school. I eventually transferred to a community college, majored in Music, and eventually to conservatory, obviously kept the same subject as my major.

I have at least 1 more year to go after this semester. But I REALLY can't live without seeing my family anymore, it's so absurd that I lived without seeing everyone I know for almost 5 years now. I am just scared that if they won't give me the visa on the way back, I would lose everything I worked so hard for but on the other hand I really can't wait another year.

Does me initially changing my status from J1 to F1 and staying here for almost 5 years without a visa really give me a bad reputation at the immigration office? What do they really look for? I just want to come back and finish school, maybe do a year of OPT, and I haven't decided yet if I want to stay here or go to Europe for Masters. What would make a reason to deny my visa application? I have a pretty good GPA, never had any legal issues.

I would very much appreciate any input. thank you and I hope opening this thread didn't violate any rules.

[canadian_wife 1,826]

How have you been in the US for 5 years without a visa? What was the last valid visa you had and when did it expire?

good luck

[Asia 2,498]

Does me initially changing my status from J1 to F1 and staying here for almost 5 years without a visa really give me a bad reputation at the immigration office?

If you changed your status from J1 to F1, you can't come back to the US using F1 visa, since you don't have such visa (you have a status only). You will have to apply for a F1 visa in your home country (in the US embassy). Will you get it? I don't know, sorry.

If your F1 status has expired (your I-20 isn't valid, so your F1 status isn't valid either), you won't be able to come back to the US, I suppose. How long - it depends how long you were out of status in the US.

Yes, it's absurd that you lived without seeing everyone you know for almost 5 years now. But it was your choice.

[Penguin_ie 5,995]

How long did the F1 last?

Did you transfer it to the community college and then the conservatory?

If not, how long have you been out of status?

How did the college/ conservatory let you study without authorisation, are they a reputable school?

[hasanali 0]

How have you been in the US for 5 years without a visa? What was the last valid visa you had and when did it expire?

good luck

Without a visa, but NOT without a status. My J1 expired in sept 2008 and I have been on F1 status since then, that NEVER expired.

[hasanali 0]

If you changed your status from J1 to F1, you can't come back to the US using F1 visa, since you don't have such visa (you have a status only). You will have to apply for a F1 visa in your home country (in the US embassy). Will you get it? I don't know, sorry.

If your F1 status has expired (your I-20 isn't valid, so your F1 status isn't valid either), you won't be able to come back to the US, I suppose. How long - it depends how long you were out of status in the US.

Yes, it's absurd that you lived without seeing everyone you know for almost 5 years now. But it was your choice.

My F1 never expired. I am only concerned with the question you possessed : 'will you get it?'

It's obviously not a question we can answer here, but I just wanted to know if living without a visa but only a status makes a bad reputation in the immigration..

How long did the F1 last?

Did you transfer it to the community college and then the conservatory?

If not, how long have you been out of status?

How did the college/ conservatory let you study without authorisation, are they a reputable school?

F1 still goes on! and yes, community college first, then conservatory..

[Harsh_77 718]

If you just have one semester left the best advice would be to complete your semester before you go back to your home ocuntry.

Visa are never guranteed does not matter either way.

[hasanali 0]

If you just have one semester left the best advice would be to complete your semester before you go back to your home ocuntry.

Visa are never guranteed does not matter either way.

After this summer I will have another year to go, and I'd like to do OPT which is another year as you probably know..

Does anyone know what they are looking for when they analyze an F1 application?

[Asia 2,498]

After this summer I will have another year to go, and I'd like to do OPT which is another year as you probably know..

Does anyone know what they are looking for when they analyze an F1 application?

You're living in the US for 4 years while being on F1 status... Sorry for my question, but how can you afford it? Since you can't work while studying (well, only 20 hours per week on campus, so that's not enough to survive I guess), so the US embassy might be concerned how can you afford studying. IMHO of course.

[newacct 688]

You're living in the US for 4 years while being on F1 status... Sorry for my question, but how can you afford it? Since you can't work while studying (well, only 20 hours per week on campus, so that's not enough to survive I guess), so the US embassy might be concerned how can you afford studying. IMHO of course.

How does any other F1 afford it?

[CC90 90]

... but I just wanted to know if living without a visa but only a status makes a bad reputation in the immigration..

Absolutely not. Why would they give it to you in the first place if they looked down on it? A visa is an entry document only.

You'll just have to get the physical F1 visa before coming back at a US consulate in Turkey. If you're enrolled in classes, have a recent I-20, and are on a clear track to complete your degree program, there shouldn't be a major issue.

However, as others have said, there's a higher chance of scrutiny if you only have months left on your program. I'd wait if you only have a semester to go.

Edited March 10, 2013 by CC90

[hasanali 0]

Absolutely not. Why would they give it to you in the first place if they looked down on it? A visa is an entry document only.

You'll just have to get the physical F1 visa before coming back at a US consulate in Turkey. If you're enrolled in classes, have a recent I-20, and are on a clear track to complete your degree program, there shouldn't be a major issue.

However, as others have said, there's a higher chance of scrutiny if you only have months left on your program. I'd wait if you only have a semester to go.

Thank you! I have at least another year after this summer.. so I'd rather go now. I highly appreciate all the input!

[sarbona 0]

Hi everybody! I have the same story. I came in the USA summer 2011 by J-1 visa. Lately I change my status to F-1. Now I study in community college my first semester. I miss my family and would love to visit them. Technically we can go back home, but just need stop by embassy in your country to update visa in your passport. I called to embassy to found out about this process. Just fill up application, pay fee, register for appointment. The officer in embassy will make decision about your visa. And also nobody could tell you for positive result. Just like a lottery. Also when you applied for J-1, you signed agreement that you wouldn't stay in the USA after your J-1 visa will expired and you promise to go home and continue your education. But all of us broke that rule, so I am not sure that we will able to renew visa in your home country.

[AnotherLostSoul 167]

You're living in the US for 4 years while being on F1 status... Sorry for my question, but how can you afford it? Since you can't work while studying (well, only 20 hours per week on campus, so that's not enough to survive I guess), so the US embassy might be concerned how can you afford studying. IMHO of course.

Have you heard about scholarships and financial aids that schools give you even if you are foreign citizen? That's how I was on F1 visa for 5 years. Not paid a penny for tuition or for health insurance....cool, eh?

[Asia 2,498]

Have you heard about scholarships and financial aids that schools give you even if you are foreign citizen? That's how I was on F1 visa for 5 years. Not paid a penny for tuition or for health insurance....cool, eh?

Sure, it's cool!

And sure I've heard about it.

Do you know how many international students receive financial aids which cover their studies/living expences in 100%?