Travel and Re-Entry 1 month before F1 Visa Expiration

[anthokad 3]

My brother's F1 visa is set to expire in June. He misses his family and want to visit Lagos, and return in May (1 month before visa expiry). He has a valid I20, but we are worried his Visa might not be renewed because he switched his Course of Study from Masters(Law) to BSc (Nursing). He just wants a 3weeks visit to see his family whom he misses so much. The school says it is Ok for him to travel and return provided the visa is still valid. Pls can you advise if there is any risk he might be denied re-entry to the US.

Thank you!

[Allaboutwaiting 2,503]

There is always the risk to be denied entry.

I would wait until the visa is renewed.

[Bob in Boston 734]

5 hours ago, Allaboutwaiting said:

I would wait until the visa is renewed.

And if the visa is not renewed he will be seeing his family soon enough. Do yourselves a favor, Wait.

[anthokad 3]

Appreciate the responses.

 

Visa expires June 2024, I20 expires June 2027.  He didn't switch schools. He just changed course of study.

He hasn't applied for Visa renewal because applications can only be sent to US embassy outside the US. Can he send his visa renewal application to the US Embassy in Lagos by courier without needing to travel? If he does this, and the Visa is not renewed, how will this impact his continued stay in the US (with a valid I20)?

[Allaboutwaiting 2,503]

3 hours ago, anthokad said:

Appreciate the responses.

 

Visa expires June 2024, I20 expires June 2027.  He didn't switch schools. He just changed course of study.

He hasn't applied for Visa renewal because applications can only be sent to US embassy outside the US. Can he send his visa renewal application to the US Embassy in Lagos by courier without needing to travel? If he does this, and the Visa is not renewed, how will this impact his continued stay in the US (with a valid I20)?

The visa grants him entry, the I-20 makes his status legal as an F1.

 

If his visa is not renewed he cannot reenter the US, even if he has the I-20.

 

Why are you talking about continuous stay?

[anthokad 3]

1 hour ago, Allaboutwaiting said:

The visa grants him entry, the I-20 makes his status legal as an F1.

 

If his visa is not renewed he cannot reenter the US, even if he has the I-20.

 

Why are you talking about continuous stay?

Sorry if my post wasn't clear.

There are three questions we are trying to seek advice on here:

1) What is the chance of being denied re-entry if he visits home country with his valid visa?

2) If he chooses not to visit home country due to risk of being denied re-entry, can he submit (by courier) application to renew visa to embassy in home country? Is this allowed?

3) If he does 2) and visa renewal is denied, can he continue to stay in the US legally? (he has a valid I-20, and is actively pursuing his studies)

 

We are trying to figure action his best options regarding 1)travel, 2)visa renewal.

 

Thanks!

[Allaboutwaiting 2,503]

2 hours ago, anthokad said:

Sorry if my post wasn't clear.

There are three questions we are trying to seek advice on here:

1) What is the chance of being denied re-entry if he visits home country with his valid visa?

2) If he chooses not to visit home country due to risk of being denied re-entry, can he submit (by courier) application to renew visa to embassy in home country? Is this allowed?

3) If he does 2) and visa renewal is denied, can he continue to stay in the US legally? (he has a valid I-20, and is actively pursuing his studies)

 

We are trying to figure action his best options regarding 1)travel, 2)visa renewal.

 

Thanks!

1) Is his visa multiple entry? If not, he cannot reenter the US.

2-3) As long as his I-20 is valid, he has legal status. Remember that visas DO NOT grant status on their own, they are just to apply for admission into the country. Regarding renewal, in my experience, even when interview is waived, you must attend the CAS appointment (things might be different now). Obviously if interview is not waived, he must attend.