f-1 student visa F1 Student on OPT- I, I have my EAD card, but the F1 visa stamp in my passport has expired. Am I allowed to travel?

[Hathessany 0]

Hello Everyone!

 

I graduated from my school in April this year and I am currently on my OPT (expires June 2018). I have received my EAD Card and I am employed in the field of my study.

 

My family wants me to visit home in the next two months and I have a problem with that: The F-1 stamp in my passport expired on April 24th 2017 (One week after my graduation).

 

Am I as a f-1 student on OPT eligible for another f1 student visa stamp or do I have to stay in the United States? 

 

I already talked to my school's international advisor and she told me that If I travel abroad I will have to go to the embassy in order to get a new stamp. I will have to show the required documents (I-20, EAD, letter of employment, etc.) and wait to receive my new stamp (If i get one). I'd basically have to go through the entire F-1 application process again.

 

Is that true? Or are there any alternatives (besides not travelling).

 

Thank you so much in advance everyone!

 

Cheers,

 

Hathessany

[Coco8 1,042]

3 minutes ago, Hathessany said:

Am I as a f-1 student on OPT eligible for another f1 student visa stamp or do I have to stay in the United States? 

 

I already talked to my school's international advisor and she told me that If I travel abroad I will have to go to the embassy in order to get a new stamp. I will have to show the required documents (I-20, EAD, letter of employment, etc.) and wait to receive my new stamp (If i get one). I'd basically have to go through the entire F-1 application process again.

 

Is that true? Or are there any alternatives (besides not travelling).

 

 

Yes, you will need to get a new F-1 for entry. I don't know how long the visa process will take in Germany; it may go over the 2 weeks you plan to stay. 

 

I was advised not to leave to renew my visa so I stayed through OPT. Maybe they were being extra cautious. My sister (at another university) was told she can leave and renew her F-1. 

 

If you travel, will you be using holidays from your work? Make sure you don't accumulate time for not working.

 

[DrEllaNJ 288]

The only fee you won't have to repay is the SEVIS fee, but yes, you do need to get a new stamp. Make sure you have a recent signature on your I20 and that it's been endorsed for OPT.

I'd check beforehand with the embassy that there are interview slots available during which you plan to be there. That almost tripped me up when I was last in the Netherlands for 2 weeks and needed to get a new J1 stamp. I submitted the application (DS-160), wanted to schedule my appointment, and no slots available until well after my trip. It worked out in the end (maybe other people canceled?) but boy it was nerve-wrecking.