A student in valid F-1 status needs the following documents
to reenter the U.S. after a temporary trip outside the U.S.:
The advisor’s signature is generally valid for one
year and can be signed if the student is in lawful status
and eligible to be readmitted in the same status.
If the student’s visa has expired or there are
no remaining valid entries on the current visa stamp,
it is necessary for the student to apply for a new visa
in the student’s home country. In some cases, it
may be advisable for ISSO to issue a new, updated I-20.
You must be able to show proof that you have adequate
support for the remainder of your program (i.e. assistantship
award letter, bank statements, etc.)
Note: “Visa” refers to the visa stamp in
your passport, not to your I-20 or DS-2019. Please also
read the advisory on changes in the “automatic
visa revalidation
benefit”.
Be prepared for longer and more complex visa application
procedures
at U.S. Consulates and Embassies. It is a good idea to
read about the procedures at the consulate
where you plan
to apply for your new visa BEFORE you travel. Links to
US consulates and embassies are at http://travel.state.gov/links.html.
The State Department has warned that visa issuance may
take one month to several months or more; in some instances,
security
clearances may take much longer than the stated
time period. It is wise to check the Technology
Alert List before making travel plans; sometimes students and
scholars are surprised to discover that their field is
on the list.
If a student’s passport has expired or will expire
within his/her time of study in the United States, he
or she must renew it at his/her embassy/consulate in
the United States or appropriate government office in
the home country before returning.
Please note that passports are required to be at least
six months into the future on the day you return to the
U.S. from your trip abroad.
At the port of entry into the US, the immigration officer
issues a Form I-94 to every nonimmigrant. Often the Form
I-94 is handed out on the plane shortly before landing.
The Form I-94 indicates your non-immigrant classification
and any endorsements made by the immigration officer.
The Form I-94 indicates the place and date of entry of
your admission to the United States and the initial period
of authorized stay.
Noted on the Form I-94 for students and their dependents
is D/S, for Duration of Status. For F-1 students, D/S
means the period during which you are pursuing a full
course of study at the educational institution, which
issued the visa certificate. You may remain in the United
States as long as you maintain lawful F-1 student status
until the end date on Form I-20 or completion of program
whichever occurs first.
F-1 students in lawful status are eligible to leave and
re-enter the U.S. while on F-1 OPT if you are coming back
to resume employment and continue to meet all other eligibility
requirements (valid passport, valid F-1 visa stamp, valid
EAD, recently endorsed I-20, can provide nonimmigrant
intent and are unlikely to become a “public charge”).
It is strongly recommended that you NOT leave the country
while the OPT application is pending at USCIS. Any trips
abroad should be made before your completion of studies
or after you have your EAD card for employment.
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