F1 issued for lesser duration, please help.

B

bud123

New Member
Hi,

I've been granted F1 visa for a masters program starting this summer, the duration of the course mentioned in I-20 was 15 months, I put that in my DS 156 and as a result, I was granted a F1 that expires 15 months from date of visa issuance, i.e aug 2006.

Now, I would not even be able to complete the program under normal progression by this date, let alone specailising in a subject which would take atleast till December 2006.

Can I go about requesting a change/adjustment in dates on my visa? I applied at the Mumbai consulate. The other alternative would mean renewing it a few months before expiry next year, this is difficult because the program requires me to be enrolled as a full time student through the summer, therefore coming back for renewal means missing classes!

Could anyone share any insight into what I could possibly do now?

Thank you all very much.
 
bud123 said:
Hi,

I've been granted F1 visa for a masters program starting this summer, the duration of the course mentioned in I-20 was 15 months, I put that in my DS 156 and as a result, I was granted a F1 that expires 15 months from date of visa issuance, i.e aug 2006.

Now, I would not even be able to complete the program under normal progression by this date, let alone specailising in a subject which would take atleast till December 2006.

Can I go about requesting a change/adjustment in dates on my visa? I applied at the Mumbai consulate. The other alternative would mean renewing it a few months before expiry next year, this is difficult because the program requires me to be enrolled as a full time student through the summer, therefore coming back for renewal means missing classes!

Could anyone share any insight into what I could possibly do now?

Thank you all very much.
Click to expand...

You dont have to do anything. The visa on your passport is simply to enter to US. Once you enter your I-94 will determine the period of your stay, normally it will say DS (During Stay). And your I-20 is the key, in the given number of months if you can't finish your study, you can request your International Student Advisor to extend your I-20 period. You are all set, no worries.
 
What happens if I want to visit home in Dec. 06 after I graduate? I take it I wouldn't be able to get back to the US without a valid visa?

Also, can one work on OPT after graduation with an expired F1, assuming he doesn't leave the country?

Thanks again....
 
bud123 said:
What happens if I want to visit home in Dec. 06 after I graduate? I take it I wouldn't be able to get back to the US without a valid visa?

Also, can one work on OPT after graduation with an expired F1, assuming he doesn't leave the country?

Thanks again....
Click to expand...

After aug 2006, your passport visa will expire, so if you intend to come back home, and return you need to get another visa.

During your OPT, you will still maintain your F1 visa. Again the visa on your passport is only a way to enter to US. It has nothing to do if it expires.
 
D/S means "duration of status", not During Stay. The duration of status is determined by the expiration date on your I-20.
 
Thanks for your responses..

I guess my options now are either A.) Come home in Dec 06 and get a F1 renewal, B.) Don't come home till i'm done with my OPT etc.

I will go back to the consulate next week and see if I can get a correction, this judt doesn't seem right :(
 
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