Travel on an F1 Visa?

E

EE2000

Registered Users (C)
What are the travel restrictions with an F1 visa? Does it matter where the Visa was issued?

1. One person told me that they were here on an J1 and then got an F1 visa while never leaving the US. But because they got the F1 while in the US they can not leave and come back into the country (so they cannot visit home). Is that true?

2. Then I was told if they would have gotten the visa issued in their home country that they would be allowed to travel in and out without any problems? Is this true?
 
EE2000 said:
1. One person told me that they were here on an J1 and then got an F1 visa while never leaving the US. But because they got the F1 while in the US they can not leave and come back into the country (so they cannot visit home). Is that true?
?
Click to expand...

If someone ever been on J1 visa, then they have to serve 2 year home residensy requirement ( or waiver) to be eligible to get any other benefits through any type visa.

I heard, recently folks got H1 stamping denied based on their prior J1's HRR not met.

J1 is a complicated visa which doesn't let you switch statuses, easily.
 
not every J-1 visa holder is subject to home residency requirement.

It is possible to change status from J1 to any other if the person is not subject to HRR.

However, when a person says "they changed J-1 visa to F-1 visa without leaving the States", they mean the change of status, not visa. You can get a visa only outside the US. ONce you change status in the US, for example, from J-1 to F-1, it is difficult to get an F-1 visa if you travel abroad, since you are under suspicion....
 
LucyMO said:
However, when a person says "they changed J-1 visa to F-1 visa without leaving the States", they mean the change of status, not visa. You can get a visa only outside the US. ONce you change status in the US, for example, from J-1 to F-1, it is difficult to get an F-1 visa if you travel abroad, since you are under suspicion....
Click to expand...

Thanks that's makes everything clear. That it's just a change of status and not actually getting a new visa.

As for the J1 issue, the people I know were in an Au Pair program and were not part of the HRR so they can transfer to another visa. Thanks Lucy.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top