F1 Visa Renewal

An F1 Visa Renewal is the process of re-applying for a new F-1 Visa outside the United States. An F1 Visa Renewal is for international students who require more time to finish their course prior to their completion date. The F1 Visa (Student Visa) gives foreign students the opportunity to live in the United States while enrolled in a university, college, seminary, or conservatory. The F1 Visa is important for foreign students because it allows them to stay in the U.S. temporarily while pursuing a course of study in the country. 

The process of renewing an F-1 Visa is similar to an initial F-1 Student Visa application. The student must submit the original paperwork and meet the F-1 Renewal Visa requirements. The requirements for an F-1 Renewal Visa are the student’s passport, visa photo, DS-160 (Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application) confirmation page, Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status), and university records. There are options if your renewal of an F1 Visa is denied. You can get a sponsorship for an H-1B Work Visa, apply for an EB-5 Investor Visa, or apply for an EB-1 Visa for extraordinary individuals.

How to Renew an F-1 Visa?

Renewing an F-1 Visa involves the same steps as an initial F-1 Visa application. Here are the 5 steps to renew an F-1 Visa.

1. Fill in your Form for Visa Application

You need to complete the online visa Form DS-160 (Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application) and print the confirmation page even if you’re applying to renew your visa. The DS160 Form is very detailed. Make sure you allot enough time to answer all the questions.

2. Schedule a Meeting at the Consulate or Embassy in your Area.

Set an appointment for an F-1 visa interview with the consulate or embassy in your area. You may qualify for a waiver if you meet the exemption conditions.

3. Assemble the Required Original Documents.

Gather the original paperwork from when you initially applied for your F-1 Student Visa. Have your documents translated, if necessary, and apostille-stamped. 

4. Pay the Visa Application Fee.

Pay the application fee prior to your interview. The visa application fee for F1 Visa is $160.

5. Present Yourself at the F-1 Visa Renewal Interview. 

Show up for the interview to renew your F-1 Visa. You are likely to get your F1 Visa renewed if you still meet the criteria you met when you first applied for your student visa.

What are the Requirements Needed in Applying for an F1 Visa Renewal?

These are the documents needed for the F1 Visa Renewal in the USA. 

• Passport. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after you plan to leave the US.
• Visa photo. You must upload your visa photo when submitting your application online. Have a physical copy of your visa photo to serve as a backup in case problems arise when uploading your visa photo.
• Form DS-160 confirmation page. You must print the confirmation page of DS-160.
• Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status). You must have a copy of your Form I-20, which you can get from your school.
• University Records. A few supporting documents pertaining to your period spent studying in the US must also be submitted.
  • Summary of your study schedule.
  • List of your research projects in the US.
  • Copy of your resume and transcripts from school.
  • Proof that you have covered all of the visa fees.
  • Letter confirming your enrollment in your current program.
  • Evidence that your study program is financially supported.
  • Evidence that you intend to go back to your home country.
  • Proof indicating you did not engage in any illegal behavior while you were a visitor to the US.

Bring these F1 Student Visa Requirements to your visa interview together with the documents you submitted with your application.

What is Automatic Visa Revalidation?

You can apply for an automatic visa revalidation if your I-94 documents are valid and you have a Student Visa that is due to expire. Automatic Visa Revalidation allows F-1 students to leave the U.S. for up to 30 days to visit Mexico, Canada, or any other U.S. territory. Their visas will be automatically extended upon their return. Automatic Visa Revalidation allows F1 Student Re Entry with an expired visa except in the following cases.

• The student re-applied for a new F1 Visa and received a denial.
• The student re-applied for a new F1 Visa and it has not been issued.
• The F1 Visa holder’s Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record reflects a “terminated” or out-of-status record.
• The F1 Student is a national of Cuba, North Korea, Sudan, Iran, and Syria.
• The F1 Student has been traveling outside the US for over 30 days.

What is an F1 Visa Extension?

An F-1 Visa Extension gives you more time for legitimate academic or medical reasons. Your options for F1 Visa Extension include applying for the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program and the Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) OPT.  

Optional Practical Training (OPT) Program

The OPT program allows student visa holders to work in the United States for up to 12 months before or after graduation. The F1 Visa OPT program has 2 categories: the pre-completion and post-completion OPT programs.

The time spent on the pre-completion OPT will be subtracted from the 12-month total. The remaining months will be available for the post-completion OPT. A post-completion OPT program is your best option for an F1 Visa extension.  

You can work full- or part-time for a U.S. firm in your degree field with a post-completion OPT program. Your employer might then be eligible to sponsor you for an H-1B Visa for specialty occupation workers after the 12-month period has passed. It’s crucial to keep in mind that the H-1B visa program is extremely competitive, so you should speak with your employer as soon as possible about the prospect of being sponsored for an H-1B Visa. 

Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) OPT

The STEM OPT program allows you to extend your OPT for 2 years. Your degree of study should be in either science, mathematics, engineering, or technology. Your F1 visa will elapse after you finish the OPT program. You cannot renew your F-1 Visa once it has expired. 

How Long Does the F-1 Renewal Process Take?

The renewal of the visa can take up to 1 month. The process of renewing your F-1 Visa takes longer if you are asked to go through administrative processing to further determine your eligibility for renewal.  

How Long is the Validity of My F1 Visa Renewal?

The validity of your F1 Visa renewal is 1 year and is the maximum renewal period issued by US embassies and consulates. You can apply for another F-1 Visa Renewal if you need more time to complete your education in the US.  

What Should I Do If My F-1 Visa Cannot Be Renewed or Extended?

There are a few ways you can attempt to stay in the US even if your F1 Visa expires and you are unable to extend or renew it.  

Change to H-1B Visa from F1 Visa

Getting sponsorship for an H1-B Visa is the simplest path that the majority of students on F1 Visas use. The H-1B Visa is a dual-intent, non-immigrant visa. The H-1B Visa allows employers to petition highly educated foreign professionals to work in “specialty occupations.” The job requirement is for the employee to have a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent under the H-1B temporary (nonimmigrant) visa category. An H-1B Visa has a 3-year initial term that can be extended for a maximum of 6 years.

You can either go back to your own country or try more challenging alternatives if you cannot get an employer to sponsor you for an H-1B visa. Check our guide on changing to H-1B Visa from F1 Visa.

Change to EB-5 Investor Visa from F1 Visa

Jobs can be created by investing in US businesses. An EB-5 investment will support your claim that you are helping US economic growth, and you might be granted an Investor Green Card or EB-5 Visa. 

Making an EB-5 investment allows you to become a permanent resident of the U.S. You need to invest at least $800,000 in a TEA (Targeted Employment Area) or $1.05 million USD to qualify for an EB-5 visa. You must invest in a US-based company with the goal of creating 10 full-time, permanent jobs for qualified U.S. citizens. Know more about how to get an EB-5 Visa from F1 Visa.

Change to EB-1 Visa from F1 Visa

The EB-1 Visa is the first category of employment-based immigration visas that allows you to immigrate permanently to the US. You must have outstanding academic or professional achievements to apply for an EB1-B visa. 

What is the Cost of Renewing an F1 Visa?

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) charges F-1 students $350 for the I-901 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee. The I-901 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee is imposed by Congress. The I-901 SEVIS fee helps to fund the SEVIS program and the computerized system that monitors students and exchange visitors. The program makes sure the students maintain their status while in the US. 

Students who belong to the list below are exempted from paying the SEVIS fee.

• Exchange students who completely fit the listed requirements.
  • Enrolled in a school or program or school with the issued date of Form I-20 or DS-2019 that is prior to the fee’s initial implementation on September 1, 2004. 
  • Have not finished school or program, including students who switched programs or schools 
  • Maintained status using the same SEVIS ID.
• Student paid the SEVIS I-901 fee but denied visa application.
  • Student is applying for an F-1 Visa within 12 months of the payment date of the original SEVIS I-901 fee. There will be a need for an I-901 fee transfer if the applicant is given a different SEVIS ID.
  • Student is applying to reopen is approved within 12 months of the initial notice of denial.
• F or M students who violated their status but are requesting readmission within five months of infringement.

Can an F1 Visa Attorney Assist with F1 Visa Renewal?

Yes, an F1 Visa Attorney works with international students in the US when it comes to renewing their F-1 Visa. An F1 Visa Attorney is an immigration lawyer that specializes in US Student Visas such as F1. Your F1 Visa Attorney guides you throughout the whole F 1 Visa Renewal process including assisting you with your paperwork and preparing you for your interview.

Can I Get a Green Card from F1 Visa Without a Renewal?

Yes, you are able to change your status to Green Card from F1 Visa if you are unable to renew your nonimmigrant status by applying for an immigrant visa. A Green Card allows you to stay permanently in the USA without restrictions. Changing to Green Card from F1 Visa is possible through investment immigration, employer or family sponsorship, or marriage to a US citizen.

FAQs about F1 Visa Renewal