F1 to H1 to F1 visa renewal

[user5678]

Hi,

I came to US in 2007 on F1 visa. I changed to H1 in 2010 through Change of Status when I got a job here. After that I again joined PhD last year and changed to F1 through a Change of Status.

I have never been to India since 2007. When I go, will I need to apply for F1 visa from scratch or am I eligible to renew visa? Is there an easier procedure to get the visa from the US itself?

Would I be at a disadvantage in the visa interview because I changed to H1 in between?

Thank you

[mikin24seven]

Hi,

I came to US in 2007 on F1 visa. I changed to H1 in 2010 through Change of Status when I got a job here. After that I again joined PhD last year and changed to F1 through a Change of Status.

I have never been to India since 2007. When I go, will I need to apply for F1 visa from scratch or am I eligible to renew visa? Is there an easier procedure to get the visa from the US itself?

Would I be at a disadvantage in the visa interview because I changed to H1 in between?

Thank you

Hi There,

I do not know much about your case. I changed from f1 to h1 and for Visa stamping I got stuck for almost a month for security check. I found out that its pretty common in Biotechnology or Biological Sciences.
I had a question for you? I am also considering to apply for PhD for next fall. If I am getting full scholarship and stipend do I need to go back to India for getting new F1 or I can still change H1 to F1 from US?. Also how long it takes to change from H1 to F1? and if my f1 is not approved before I start my program does it affect getting stipend or anything else? Please give me your feedback on this. It will be very helpful for me to determine whether I should apply for PhD or not.

Thanks