Extending Student Visa

If a student studying in USA under student visa cannot able to complete his studies in the time before the expiry date of I-20 form, then he should apply to foreign student advisor of the school to get the extension to complete his study. This application should be done prior to at-least 30 days from the expiry date. Generally, the extension is provided only if the student gives academic reasons or medical reasons.

If the student changes his degree program such as bachelor degree to master degree program, he should get a new I-20 form and he should submit it to the foreign student advisor within 15 days from the date of beginning of his new program. The students do not have to change anything in I-20 form except redefining the major.

For transferring the school, the student should inform the present school about the transfer and obtain a new I-20 form from the new school. The student should give new I-20 form to the foreign student advisor of the new school within 15 days from the date of his new school’s classes begins.

Length of Staying:

The length that a student would stay under F1 visa is authorized by the INS and not a consulate officer. At the time of entering, the INS officer would verify the student’s record of I-94 form, the record of arrival and departure that give information about the stay of the student in the USA. Basically, students are allowed to stay in USA for the period of his course duration. This means the student is permissible to live in USA till he is a full-time student even though his validity of F-1 visa is over.

If the student F1 visa is expired and he leaves USA, he should obtain a new visa to resume his studies. The State Department inside the USA cannot able to re-issue or renew the F-1 visa. The re-new or re-issue of visa can be done only by US Embassy or Consulate Abroad.

For renewing the visa, the student must provide the following things:

1. A passport having validity of minimum 6 months.
2. A complete and signed application DS-156 form along with a photo of each and every person who is applying. In case of a child accompanying you, a separate form is required. They are available at the consulate office free of charge.
3. Payment Receipt of Fees for each and every applicant.
4. A new I-20 form or an I-20 form which is authorized by the school official in the past 12 months.
5. If the applicants applying for renewal should be prepared to submit a certified copy of the grade from his or her school and the financial statement or documents that signify the condition of the applicants for covering the cost of the school.