Do i need a new f1 visa for masters after bachelors in US?

[grover99]

Friends and Seniors,

Kindly provide your valueable advise and if anyone has seen this following case. I am currently on OPT and had recently graduated in June 09 in Bachelors of Business Admin. My F1 Visa on the Passport is valid till 2011.

Question: If I choose to do a Masters degree in US say starting this FALL (Sep 09) or Spring session in Jan 10 from a different school than I graduated from in Bachelors, do I need to get a new F1 Visa stamped for my Masters or can I continue with the current F1 visa which is valid till 2011?

Regards

[roseball]

Friends and Seniors,

Kindly provide your valueable advise and if anyone has seen this following case. I am currently on OPT and had recently graduated in June 09 in Bachelors of Business Admin. My F1 Visa on the Passport is valid till 2011.

Question: If I choose to do a Masters degree in US say starting this FALL (Sep 09) or Spring session in Jan 10 from a different school than I graduated from in Bachelors, do I need to get a new F1 Visa stamped for my Masters or can I continue with the current F1 visa which is valid till 2011?

Regards

Visa is only for entry into the country. What governs your status while on F1 in your I-20. As long as you can get a new I-20 from a different school for your Masters, you should be good to stay in the country. However, if you happen to travel outside US after your current visa stamp expires, you will need to get another stamp so you can re-enter US. If you happen to travel outside US while your current visa is still valid, make sure to show your latest I-20 to the immigration officer at the port of entry. And ofcourse, dont forget to get your I-20 stamped for re-entry before leaving US.

[go_guy123]

Friends and Seniors,

Kindly provide your valueable advise and if anyone has seen this following case. I am currently on OPT and had recently graduated in June 09 in Bachelors of Business Admin. My F1 Visa on the Passport is valid till 2011.

Question: If I choose to do a Masters degree in US say starting this FALL (Sep 09) or Spring session in Jan 10 from a different school than I graduated from in Bachelors, do I need to get a new F1 Visa stamped for my Masters or can I continue with the current F1 visa which is valid till 2011?

Regards


You need another I-20 from new school, if you leave US you need stamping after 2011
(expiry of the exiting visa). You old school will be there but now need for new stamping.

In order to transfer your school you need to prove that you were in status before that is in your OPT. In order words you should not have been out of job for more than 90 days
on your OPT (after graduation) (new rule from April 2008)

[grover99]

Thank you for your replies. I greatly appreciate it.

Due to 90 days unemployment rule in OPT, I think I might not be able to maintain status so would end up goiing back to India in Aug 09.

-So do I need to get another F1 Visa Stamping from India if I get admission into a Masters program say in Fall (Sep 09) or Spring (Jan 10) sessions even when my F1 Visa for my bachelors degree would be valid that is it expires in 2011?

- Cant I use the F1 visa which I got for bachelors degree valid till 2011, to re-enter USA with a new I-20 from Masters?

Thanks

[roseball]

Thank you for your replies. I greatly appreciate it.

Due to 90 days unemployment rule in OPT, I think I might not be able to maintain status so would end up goiing back to India in Aug 09. So do I need to get another F1 Visa Stamping from India if I get admission into a Masters program say in Fall (Sep 09) or Spring (Jan 10) sessions even when my F1 Visa for my bachelors degree would be valid that is it expires in 2011.

Thanks

Yes, most likely you will need to get a new visa stamp if you move back to India and plan to come back for your Masters. Incase you don't want to go back, as soon as you complete your current program, you can enroll at Kaplan for some courses (GRE prep) and get an I-20 from them till you get an I-20 from another school for your Masters program. That way, you will continue to be in F1 status.

[nousername]

I second that. roseball is correct

Visa is only for entry into the country. What governs your status while on F1 in your I-20. As long as you can get a new I-20 from a different school for your Masters, you should be good to stay in the country. However, if you happen to travel outside US after your current visa stamp expires, you will need to get another stamp so you can re-enter US. If you happen to travel outside US while your current visa is still valid, make sure to show your latest I-20 to the immigration officer at the port of entry. And ofcourse, dont forget to get your I-20 stamped for re-entry before leaving US.