I am still legally staying in US as long as I have my updated I-20. My F1 visa expired last June 25. Since I am not leaving the country this summer, and I am still going to continue school for another year before I graduate, my stay here in US is valid and legal.
The problem is, if I go out of US, i would need a new F1 visa to come back in. I would like to join a competition in Japan soon and would need a new one to come back in. While in Japan, I would like to focus on the competition and I don't want to be distracted with the responsibility of getting a visa there in order to come back.
So I thought maybe it's easier to renew it while it's summertime at the moment.
Does anyone know if Canada (Montreal) does renewal or extension of visa? And what is the stamp that I read about? Do I need to apply for a new F1 visa again? What is the process, same like filling up the form online and things?
I don't need to pay for the SEVIS fee again, right? I am continuing the same degree with the same school.
Does anyone know how long it takes now to get the visa? I will only go to Canada to get F1 visa and then come back. I cannot stay indefinitely while waiting for the Embassy to mail me back my visa. Can I pick it up the next day or do they really have to mail it? I don't have any address in Canada and would only be asking a friend to do me a favor and drive me there. He has to go back to work soon and can't be having too many day offs.. and hotels are expensive too.
I kept calling the US Embassy in Canada (Montreal), but is on hold for 45+ mins each time, until I just hang up.
Please help!!!!! Try to answer all of my questions when you can... =(
Thank you.
The problem is, if I go out of US, i would need a new F1 visa to come back in. I would like to join a competition in Japan soon and would need a new one to come back in. While in Japan, I would like to focus on the competition and I don't want to be distracted with the responsibility of getting a visa there in order to come back.
So I thought maybe it's easier to renew it while it's summertime at the moment.
Does anyone know if Canada (Montreal) does renewal or extension of visa? And what is the stamp that I read about? Do I need to apply for a new F1 visa again? What is the process, same like filling up the form online and things?
I don't need to pay for the SEVIS fee again, right? I am continuing the same degree with the same school.
Does anyone know how long it takes now to get the visa? I will only go to Canada to get F1 visa and then come back. I cannot stay indefinitely while waiting for the Embassy to mail me back my visa. Can I pick it up the next day or do they really have to mail it? I don't have any address in Canada and would only be asking a friend to do me a favor and drive me there. He has to go back to work soon and can't be having too many day offs.. and hotels are expensive too.
I kept calling the US Embassy in Canada (Montreal), but is on hold for 45+ mins each time, until I just hang up.
Please help!!!!! Try to answer all of my questions when you can... =(
Thank you.
