I will go back to Thailand and renew the visa but if they wont' give me a new one, can i reentry in USA?

Question

First of all. i have to said that i have been here for 5 year and my visa will be expired Oct 7, I will go back to Thailand for renew the visa on Sep 25. I am worry that if i don't get a new one, can i reentry with the old visa before expired date 1 day? And more detail, i hold I-20 which will be expired next year and I am studying about Computer graphic in a small institute. You think i should go back for renew or not?

Answer 1

before you leave, make sure you get in touch with the school and check the back of you I-20 form

read this :

For any travel outside of the US, you need the following:

• Valid passport

• Valid visa

# • Current I-20 with a travel authorization signature dated within one year of the date you plan to re-enter the US.#

• Copy of transcript ( for current students)

• EAD card (required for OPT students only)

• Employer letter (optional, OPT students only)

with one day left only in the US, you could enter i imagine, but it would not be a good idea , not sure they will let you stay?

so do all the paper work before leaving to be safe.

# Be aware that visa security checks have extended visa renewal times dramatically for some countries. Do not attempt to renew your visa on a brief school holiday break. You could become stranded, waiting up to several months for your renewal.#

Some students become confused if they have had more than one visa during their educational career. You can have only one visa status at a time. If, for example, you entered the US on a B-1/B-2 visitor visa (including Canadians who only “declare” their status at port of entry) and later changed to F-1 student status, your visitor visa was canceled when you obtained the F-1 status, even if the dates on the visitor visa have not expired. You must adhere to the regulations of the student visa.

It is the responsibility of every student to ensure that Form I-20 remains accurate and complete. In particular, in number 5 the "complete studies no later than" date should always be in the future while a student at UVA. If this date will expire before completion of your F-1 studies, you must contact the ISO to apply for a program extension before the expiration date. Students completing their studies during optional practical training employment authorization do not need to obtain a program extension.

# # Page 3 of Form I-20 must be signed by a Designated School Official in the ISO during any semester of foreign travel after initial admission. Students should visit the ISO about two weeks before planned foreign travel to obtain the requisite signature. Form I-20 must be presented when applying for admission into the U.S.##

Answer 2

Your visa only needs to be valid the day you enter the country.  You will then be issued an I-94 that will give you your status to stay.  The duration of stay for an F-1 is D/S (duration of status).  As long as you have a valid I-20 and are currently in status as a student you may stay and study.  It is your passport that must be valid for sixth months beyond your intended period of stay.

Once you graduate and are no longer a student your D/S will not apply and you will need to return home.  You don't need a new visa unless you are planning to travel before graduation.  However you never know what may arise.  What if you need to travel back home and you have not renewed?  Then you will not be able to return if your visa is expired.  So yes, you should probably renew.  You should not have a problem if you are still currently enrolled.  I have seen many students who have been issued multiple visas.  

So yes, you can enter the country with only one day left on your visa, but you should also renew your visa, just in case.

-------------------------Edit---------...

Contrary to what someone else said your b1/b2 visa is NOT cancelled if you get an F1 visa.  You need different visas if you are coming for different reasons.  For example if you an A1 diplomat, you can not enter on that visa and claim diplomatic immunity if you are just taking your family to Disneyland and not working for your government on that trip.  You would need a B2 visa just like everyone else.  When that diplomat goes to get his or her B2 visa we do not cancel the A1.  We just only let them enter on the B2 visa, with no Diplomatic authority.  When they come back later for work their A1 is still valid and we enter them on that.  It is the I94 that you may only have one of at a time.  The I94 is the white piece of paper in your passport that tells you how long you may stay on each trip

I am telling you,as one of the actual people who makes the decision at the border, you may enter with one day left on your visa.  It is perfectly legal, I see it all of the time.  You just may want a new visa in case an emergency arises and you have to travel back home.  Do not worry if multiple visas are confusing, we will make sure to enter you on the right visa when you come back, it is part of our job.

Answer 3

Your school must validate your I-20 each year as I recall.

No, you cannot enter the U.S. with a Student Visa unless there is at least 6 months left on it.

Contact your schools forieng affairs counselor and determine IF you actually need to return to your homeland to renew your visa, you may not.

Be sure to have your school  papers in order showing you have attended full time, so line up,your ducks.

Consider contacting the U.S. Embassy advising them your in school Now and purhaps they have a method to allow you to stay in school woithout leaving the U.S.