Renewing an Expired F1 Visa

[Castor]

Our case is as follows,
The student's F-1 visa expired on December 2012, but the student is currently under F-1 status at a school in Texas as the student did not leave the U.S. and stayed under F-1 status.

Could the student's visa be renewed at a US Embassy abroad even if the student has an approved I-130 and is currently awaiting the priority date to file for the I-485 in the US?

The Designated School Official at the school has mentioned that he has done this renewal procedure multiple times for other students as long as proper letters from the school are brought with the student to the consular appointment.

Our concern is that the student would travel to get the visa renewed and get denied because of currently waiting for a priority date in the U.S for an I-485.

The reason for the visa renewal is to be able to travel for medical checks and treatment.

Your help would be greatly appreciated

 

[newacct]

It's possible to get it, but there is risk of denial, yes. People entering on F visa need to prove they will leave the U.S. after entering, and don't have immigrant intent (intent to immigrate during this trip). It's so much harder to prove that with a pending petition for you. Is the priority date close to being current, or far away? If it's many years away it may have less impact.