Search
F-1 visa stamping and stamping in third-country; Automatic Visa Revalidation (AVR)
I am in the US with an approved COS from B2 to F1, so my F1 visa is yet to be stamped on my (Indian)Passport.
1. My STEM masters program is for 9 months, and my I20 has a start and end date of 2 years(2026). Do I have to stamp before the end of 2 years to avail myself of the OPT and STEM validity?
2.I might have to visit a family member in Canada sometime in mid-2025 after my master's program has started. Is it advisable to go to Canada since I do not have the F1 stamped on my Visa? If I can visit, then will I require a different visa?
3. Is it possible for me to schedule my F1 Visa stamping in Canada during the visit? Or would you advise something different here? Or is it better to get it stamped in Mexico?
If you are on an F-1 visa converted from B-2, your visa stamp is only necessary if you plan to travel outside the U.S. While in the U.S., your status is governed by your I-94, which typically says "DS" (duration of status) and remains valid as long as you maintain your student status.
If traveling briefly to Canada or Mexico for under 30 days, you can use Automatic Visa Revalidation (AVR) to return without a visa stamp, provided you haven’t applied for and been refused a visa during your visit. Scheduling visa stamping in Canada is risky—if denied, you lose AVR eligibility and must return to India to reapply.
Recording for November 07, 2024 Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna
Nonimmigrant Visas
Green Card
FAQ: H-1B layoffs: 60-day grace period, visa options, and transitioning to study || Employer and agency verification requirements on the most recent I-94: Is this new note typical? || H-1B stamping delay and administrative processing in India: Payroll gaps, re-entry concerns, and expediting Options
Rajiv's Comments in the News - Tough days ahead for international students in US: Will OPT and visa duration be curtailed?
Published by: The Times of India: Nov 07, 2024
https://tinyurl.com/7aj34mx4
Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv in the article:
H-1B layoffs: 60-day grace period, visa options, and transitioning to study
- H1B 60-day grace period starts on the date of getting notice of layoff from the employer, on the date of the severance paycheck, or on the last date of the regular paycheck?
- During H1B 60-day grace period, what is the best time to apply for B1/B2? When 30 days are left, 15 days are left, etc.?
- H1B is for 6-years of work, or 6-years total? I mean does unemployment time or B1/B2 time etc. also counts in 6-years of H1B?
- After layoff on H1B, if decided to go to school, then how to stay in US until getting admission decision and until school starts, that could take many months.
- After layoff on H1B, what is the better option to choose between B1/B2 and F-1?
The H-1B 60-day grace period starts the day after your last pay period or working day, whichever is later. It's best to apply for a B1/B2 visa around the 50th–55th day (depending on how you apply online or by email) if transitioning and an F-1 visa if planning to study. The grace period counts toward the H-1B six-year cap, but B-1/-B2 time does not. For detailed scenarios and advice, refer to the video.
Recording for November 21, 2024 Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna
Immigration.com
Nonimmigrant Visas
Green Card
Topics Discussed: