F1 to B2 and back

I

i485waiting

New Member
Dear netters,
I have a question for a friend of mine who is currently in the USA on a F-1 visa. She wants to take a break from the school for a semester or two but wants to stay in the USA.

-- Can she get a B2 while in the USA?
-- Will it look bad (or affect anything) when she tries to get back to her studies (i.e. to F-1 again)?

She is a citizen of Ireland, if that makes any difference.

Thanks in advance, really appreciate any help.


//i485waiting
 
Once she changes to B2, then she once again has to change back to F1 in order to pursue studies. This is a hassle. The INS would ask for compelling reasons to become a tourist. They may have a hard time believing she wants to visit Niagara Falls. And will not approve the change if they know beforehand that she wants to become a student again. The real reason for planning to change to B2 is not to tour the US, right?
 
Hi Raj,
Thank you for the information. Do you think the situation will look any better if she goes back to her home-country, for her visa-status change?

//i485waiting
 
Which status change? For F1 to B2: Changing to B2 can happen only if she abandons the intent to be a student. By becoming a tourist, she is essentially quitting from school. I am not sure if it is easier or difficult when you travel. She would need a B2 visa stamp, so thats an additional thing to worry. For subsequent B2 to F1: she will have to reopen admission with school, get new I-20 etc. Travel and return is not needed as B2 to F1 is generally common to get.

Actually first check if Ireland comes under visa waiver list. If so, no toursit visa is needed for stays of 90 days or less. Also check to see if you must have entered on visa waiver in order to qualify for this, as opposed to changing status.
 
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