Using current, unexpired visa while waiting for a new visa

[buffalojoe 0]

I am waiting to receive my new student (F1) visa. It might take a few months. My passport was handed back to me, and my old passport has my currently used unexpired student (F1) visa. May I still use the current UNEXPIRED visa to reenter the country before the new visa is issued? Or am I banned from the U.S. until I hear back regarding the new visa? Note that I did not transfer institutions and that my I-20 is still unexpired with a valid signature.

Thanks!

[newacct 688]

If they didn't cancel your visa (e.g. write "CWOP" over it or something), then yes you should be able to use it.

[buffalojoe 0]

If they didn't cancel your visa (e.g. write "CWOP" over it or something), then yes you should be able to use it.

I should've said this is somewhat hypothetical since I have not yet been to the embassy. The current visa is in the old passport, could they request the old passport to invalidate it (by writing CWOP over it)? I don't see a requirement to bring the current valid visa just an unexpired passport.

[canadian_wife 1,822]

How long have you been out of school? Did you graduate from the institution that you have your F-1 visa from?

good luck

[buffalojoe 0]

How long have you been out of school? Did you graduate from the institution that you have your F-1 visa from?

good luck

I've been in school for 3 years now, I did graduate from the F-1 visa institution. So here is a timeline;

X university: F-1 visa expires mid-2016, graduated with a master's

Y university: Transferred my I-20 to this university, started PhD program. Using X's visa, still valid until mid-2016. Had no issues with this visa.

Now I need a new visa and I only have 2 weeks to go back home so I'm worried that the embassy will tell me to wait (which is fine) but cancel my current visa, which means I won't be able to attend next semester. Alternatively, if it is not going to be cancelled then I can come back to the U.S. with the current visa while I await the new visa (for which I have months of leeway since the current one expires mid-2016)

Hope this clarifies my question.

Thanks

[newacct 688]

I've been in school for 3 years now, I did graduate from the F-1 visa institution. So here is a timeline;

X university: F-1 visa expires mid-2016, graduated with a master's

Y university: Transferred my I-20 to this university, started PhD program. Using X's visa, still valid until mid-2016. Had no issues with this visa.

Now I need a new visa and I only have 2 weeks to go back home so I'm worried that the embassy will tell me to wait (which is fine) but cancel my current visa, which means I won't be able to attend next semester. Alternatively, if it is not going to be cancelled then I can come back to the U.S. with the current visa while I await the new visa (for which I have months of leeway since the current one expires mid-2016)

Hope this clarifies my question.

Thanks

I think they usually cancel an existing visa when you go to apply for a visa of the same type.

Since your visa is still valid when you are coming back to the US, why are you renewing it now? Why not wait until the next time you leave the US?

[jan22 3,056]

And how, exactly, are they to process the new visa when you and your passport will be in the US?

[buffalojoe 0]

And how, exactly, are they to process the new visa when you and your passport will be in the US?

That's not an issue. I can go home for a day or two to get the new stamp. At that stage I will no longer be in the visa pending stage.

Anyhow, it seems like it is up to the consulate whether to cancel or keep the old visa.

[newacct 688]

Still haven't answered the question of why you need a new visa if your old one won't be expired when you return.

[buffalojoe 0]

Still haven't answered the question of why you need a new visa if your old one won't be expired when you return.

My visa expires in May. I'm giving a conference talk outside the country in May. After I leave for the conference, I need to get back on a new visa (since the current one would've been already expired). The problem is that I have a serious annual deadline in late May that pretty much requires me to be in the states (due to the nature of my work). So my only chance is to take advantage of winter break to get the new visa.

[Unidentified 2,930]

I've been in school for 3 years now, I did graduate from the F-1 visa institution. So here is a timeline;

X university: F-1 visa expires mid-2016, graduated with a master's

Y university: Transferred my I-20 to this university, started PhD program. Using X's visa, still valid until mid-2016. Had no issues with this visa.

Now I need a new visa and I only have 2 weeks to go back home so I'm worried that the embassy will tell me to wait (which is fine) but cancel my current visa, which means I won't be able to attend next semester. Alternatively, if it is not going to be cancelled then I can come back to the U.S. with the current visa while I await the new visa (for which I have months of leeway since the current one expires mid-2016)

Hope this clarifies my question.

Thanks

Considering your current F1 visa should have the name of your old school on it, I'm not sure CBP would process you. If they would let you in or not. Be ready to answer lots of questions about that one...

That's not an issue. I can go home for a day or two to get the new stamp. At that stage I will no longer be in the visa pending stage.

Anyhow, it seems like it is up to the consulate whether to cancel or keep the old visa.

It doesn't take just "a day or two", it can take up to 14 days to get it depending on processing times at the embassy.

[jan22 3,056]

That's not an issue. I can go home for a day or two to get the new stamp. At that stage I will no longer be in the visa pending stage.

Anyhow, it seems like it is up to the consulate whether to cancel or keep the old visa.

For student visas, they usually keep the passports for visa issuance. So, if your current visa is in your old (presumably expired) passport, how dp you plan to enter the US without a current, valid passport?

[newacct 688]

Considering your current F1 visa should have the name of your old school on it, I'm not sure CBP would process you. If they would let you in or not. Be ready to answer lots of questions about that one...

People who transfer between schools in the US and get an I-20 from the new school do not need to get a new F-1 visa.

[Mollie09 1,543]

For student visas, they usually keep the passports for visa issuance. So, if your current visa is in your old (presumably expired) passport, how dp you plan to enter the US without a current, valid passport?

This is, for me, the only question.

Edited December 18, 2015 by F1H1I130

[Mollie09 1,543]

I should've said this is somewhat hypothetical since I have not yet been to the embassy. The current visa is in the old passport, could they request the old passport to invalidate it (by writing CWOP over it)? I don't see a requirement to bring the current valid visa just an unexpired passport.

If they approve your visa, they're not going to hand your passport back to you. They're going to keep it for processing until the visa is printed, so you won't have it to enter the US anyways.