What is the grace period for expiration of I-20?

As indicated above, you will have a 60-day grace period when you complete your program. During your 60-day grace period you can travel within the U.S., but you cannot depart and re-enter the U.S. during your grace period.

How long can I stay after I-20 expires?

The grace period ends when you depart the U.S., or no later than 60 days (or 30 days for J-1) after the end of the I-20 or your EAD card (if on OPT), whichever comes first.

What happens if my I-20 expires?

Students unable to complete their program of study by the completion date and who fail to extend their I-20 before it expires will Violate Legal Status and Overstay their visa.

Can I extend my I-20 after it expires?

You are eligible for a program extension if:

The expiration date is indicated in item 5 of the I-20 and item 3 of the DS-2019. You have been continually maintaining lawful F-1 or J-1 status. The delay in completion of your program of study was caused by compelling academic or medical reasons.

How long can I stay after F-1 expires?

F-1 visa holders have 60 days after their program end date to leave the United States. For F-1 students who participate in post-completion optional practical training, they have 60 days after their employment ends to depart.

I-20 Expiration

Is visa expired I-20 valid?

Staying in the United States is legal as long as you have a valid Form I-20 even if your visa expires during your stay in the United States. It is not illegal to stay. However, once you leave the United States and re-enter the country, a valid visa is required, so you will need to extend your visa.

How many days can you stay in U.S. after your visa expires?

You should still be able to return to the U.S. if you stay in the U.S. for less than 180 days after your visa expires, and you leave before formal removal proceedings begin. However, when you do return to the U.S., the border officials will be able to see that you previously overstayed your visa.

What happens when visa expires but not I-20?

You only need to renew your visa if you plan on leaving and returning to the US because if your student visa expires, but your Form 1-20 is still valid you can continue your studies. However, you never know when you might need to travel so it's always good to renew your F-1 visa instead of staying with an expired one.

Can I enter the U.S. if my I-20 is about to expire?

The I-20 must remain valid at all times. Request an I-20 extension prior to its expiration date. Allowing the I-20 to expire before you complete your academic program is a violation of F-1 status.

Who is eligible for I-20 extension?

Eligibility Requirements

An extension may be granted only if you have continually maintained full-time student status and if the delay in completing your degree is the result of "compelling academic or documented medical reasons." Examples of compelling academic reasons for requiring more time are: change of major.

How many times can I extend my I-20?

Your I-20 must be extended prior to the program end date or you will have to apply for reinstatement to Immigration, which involves a fee, and may disqualify you from future employment authorization. I-20 extensions are granted in maximum 12-month increments.

What if my student visa is expiring?

What do I do? If your student visa has expired within the previous 28 days, you're still able to apply for a new student visa. This application will normally result in a Bridging visa being granted. If you would like some help with your application, contact a registered migration agent for assistance.

How do I extend my I-20?

Can I enter the U.S. if my student visa is about to expire?

You are certainly not required to renew your entry visa in order to maintain status within the United States. However, if you travel outside the United States after your F-1 visa expires, but haven't completed your studies, you will need to apply for a new visa stamp before you can reenter in F-1 status.

Can I travel to the U.S. if my visa is about to expire?

A visa must be valid at the time a traveler seeks admission to the United States, but the expiration date of the visa (validity period/length of time the visa can be used) has no relation to the length of time a temporary visitor may be authorized by the Department of Homeland Security to remain in the United States.

Can I travel with expired visa but valid I-20?

Please note that under current USCIS regulations, you may remain in the U.S. with an expired F-1 visa, as long, as your I-20 is valid and you are maintaining your student status (enrolled full-time).

What is the 5 month rule for F-1 students?

F-1 Student 5-Month Rule – Reentry after absence of more than 5 months. If an F-1 student is out of the United States for more than five consecutive months (and not on study/research abroad), their SEVIS Record must be terminated.

What is the grace period for international student?

You have a 60-day grace period at the end of your F-1 program. The grace period ends when you depart the United States, or no later than 60 days after the end of the I-20 or your EAD card (if on OPT), whichever comes first.

Do I need a new visa if I get a new I-20?

To sum, international students, who are issued the new I-20, are not required to renew their visas as long as it is valid. However, they are required to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee from fmjfee.com.

What happens if I stay in the US after my visa expires?

If you overstay the end date of your authorized stay, as provided by the CBP officer at a port-of-entry, or United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), your visa will generally be automatically be voided or cancelled, as explained above.

What happens if you overstay your visa by one day?

Visa Voidance

If you overstay, then your visa will be automatically voided. Even if you overstay for a single day, your visa will be voided, particularly because immigration is usually very strict when it comes to its interpretation and application of this provision. You cannot be readmitted.

Can I extend my visa after it expires?

If your stay as shown on your Form I-94, Arrival- Departure Record, has already expired, while anyone can file an application, we usually will not grant an extension of stay.

Can you apply for OPT with expired I-20?

You can apply for OPT from 90 days before your end date, until 60 days after your end date. USCIS must receipt (not receive) your application no later than 60 days after your I-20 end date. Allow at least 10-14 days for USCIS to assign a receipt number.

How long does it take to reinstate I-20?

How long will the reinstatement process take? Reinstatement applications take approximately six to nine months, and as long as one year.

What is F-1 grace period extension?

If you are approved for the extension, you will be allowed to extend your stay and training for an additional 24 months. Once you apply and are waiting for the USCIS to make a decision, your F-1 visa and employment authorization will continue for 180 days or until you receive your decision from the USCIS.