Chances of getting F1 visa renewed after graduation after OPT approved but not yet working?

[jmcg1975 0]

Hi,

My F1 visa expired the day of my graduation (May 21, 2016), but I have my OPT approved, I already received my EAD card in the mail, and I also have a job offer and I start work on August 12, 2016. However, I am planning to leave the US before I go to work and I wanted to know if it's still possible for me to renew my Visa and what are the chances of that happening (just want to know if you have had a similar situation to mine).

Any answers are greatly appreciated!

Edited May 24, 2016 by jmcg1975

[FlaviaJ 10]

Let me see if I understood. You finished school, got your OPT and want to leave the country on vacation before starting the new job? Why do you mean by renewing the F-1? Do you want to go back to school, or are you just wondering if you can leave the country and come back only by having your OPT?

Let me tell you my experience and see if helps.

I graduated May 2015, got my OPT approved and also started working right away (In fact I started working with my CPT while in school). Our visa is valid while your I-20 is valid, you I-20 will have your OPT information, and should be valid till the end of your OPT + the 60 days grace period. While on my OPT I left the country twice on vacation and came back without a problem. Last time I went to my home country on my OPT was this past february (less than 3 months before my OPT expired). So if you are only concern about leaving and coming back, don't worry.

Now, if you want to renew our F-1 because you want to stay longer and you don't believe your current employer will sponsor your H1-B visa, then you must go back to school. Apply to another program, be accept, get a new I-20 go back to you country to get new stamp visa on passport.

Good luck

[jmcg1975 0]

Thanks for answering my question FlaviaJ, what I mean by renewing is that my F1 visa expired the day of my undergrad graduation (21 May). Since I don't start working until August 12, I was wondering how likely will the embassy in my home country renew my F1 visa so that I can re-enter the US after leaving for vacation. Hope this clarifies my question!

[evajackson 0]

Yes, you can renew your visa if your F1 visa already expired. You need your EAD card/offer letter and OPT for renewal of your visa.