Hi Rajiv Ji,
My F-1 visa expired last year. I am currently maintaining F-1 CPT status with an employer. However, I have plans to pursue a PhD soon. I have a few concerns regarding the change of my status from F-1 CPT back to an F-1 visa.
1. Do you think it's a logical option for me to pursue a PhD program? Let's say if I get admitted and am asked to start in Fall 2025, I will have to drop out from my current MBA course in order to join the PhD course. What could be the implications?
2. Do you think I will have to renew my (expired) F-1 Visa by stepping out of the country and re-entering, or can I maintain my F-1 status without a Visa while pursuing a PhD. For the latter, the downside would be I won't be able to leave the country.
3. If I step out of the country for Visa renewal, do you think there will be any visa granting issues? I'm sure they might question the logical reason behind all this confusion that I have created for myself.
Any advice on this would be really appreciated. Thank you very much!
My F-1 visa expired last year. I am currently maintaining F-1 CPT status with an employer. However, I have plans to pursue a PhD soon. I have a few concerns regarding the change of my status from F-1 CPT back to an F-1 visa.
1. Do you think it's a logical option for me to pursue a PhD program? Let's say if I get admitted and am asked to start in Fall 2025, I will have to drop out from my current MBA course in order to join the PhD course. What could be the implications?
2. Do you think I will have to renew my (expired) F-1 Visa by stepping out of the country and re-entering, or can I maintain my F-1 status without a Visa while pursuing a PhD. For the latter, the downside would be I won't be able to leave the country.
3. If I step out of the country for Visa renewal, do you think there will be any visa granting issues? I'm sure they might question the logical reason behind all this confusion that I have created for myself.
Any advice on this would be really appreciated. Thank you very much!