Appointment with International advisor or DSO and get new I20
You should get an appointment with your designated school officer(DSO), who is typically International advisor, and tell them that you are going to your home country for vacation during break. You will tell them why you are going home and when you will come back approximately. Sometimes, students take a semester break for a variety of reasons could be health issues or family emergency, etc. You should make sure you get the following from the advisor
- New I20. It typically looks the same, but there will not be any stamp. Your new I20 will be stamped at port of entry when you re-enter US after break.
- Letter indicating that you are enrolled full time and going to your home country for break. This letter is just a proof. Think of it like an employment letter stating that you are currently employed. The advisers know this stuff.
International students office(ISO):
You may not have to do this at all schools. But, if you need a ride back from airport and your ISO office does this, you would have to inform international students office and tell them about your trip for pick up from airport.
Apply for Teaching Assistantships
If you intend to apply for TA position, you would have to fill in the application before you leave. The deadlines are typically around registration. This is just to make sure you do not miss the deadline for TA application.
Register for Classes for next semester :
Registration for classes for next semester is key thing to do. You never know if you will have time at your home to do all this stuff. You better pick the classes and register before you leave for vacation.
Did I miss anything or do you have anything to add ?
References :http://www.fspilotshop.com/images/boeing_01.jpg
Hi,
I came to india when my opt was in rfe status (submitting all documents) in feb 2016 . Opt was rejected on 26th feb , then raised a MTR and got it approved on aug 1st 2016 . Can i travel to US now with approved opt.i got to hear that more than 5 months out of US , we have to get new f1 enrollement kind of information. Could you please help me in this.
Im on F1 visa (2015 to 2020) and my wife and son has F2 (2015 to 2020) , we plan to sent back my son to india for his education, he is just 2 yrs old so we think upto free education of US we think he study in india. so is that fine we all travel to india for 3 to 4 weeks ??? my study ends in june 2017 so we plan to feb 20 2017 to mar 20 2017 so pls tell me what types of documents require for that ?? and At the time of returning to USA is there any problem ?? if Immigration officer ask about our son then what should i have to answer them ??
pls need answer as soon as possible.
pls reply as soon as possible.
hitesh,
Please check with your DSO on the required documents you need to carry. Regarding your son, it is your personal decision and I do not think immigration officer would care about that. Whatever you answer, it should not have any impact on your entry.
thx a lot kumar
Hello Sir!
We both got married in India before getting our visas approved. Now we are both in USA, but our marital status in our visa application (DS-160) was single at the time of application. I need to know how do I inform them of my change of marital status. Should I marry again here in the US and then inform them?
Kumar,
I think, it should be fine, you do not need to go back and inform regarding your martial status. Also, I am not sure, if there is such process to do so. Going forward for everything, you can use your current martial status.
Im on F1 visa (2015 to 2020) and my wife and son has F2 (2015 to 2020) , we plan to sent back my son to india for his education, he is just 2 yrs old so we think upto free education of US we think he study in india. so is that fine we all travel to india for 3 to 4 weeks ??? my study ends in june 2017 so we plan to feb 20 2017 to mar 20 2017 so pls tell me what types of documents require for that ??
OR second thing just my wife and son go back to india and only my wife easiy return to USA ???
pls reply as soon as possible.
hitesh patel,
It would be fine to travel during that time. Make sure to get I-20 endorsed for travel.
thx a lot saurabh
Im on F1 visa (2015 to 2020) and my wife and son has F2 (2015 to 2020) , we plan to sent back my son to india for his education, he is just 2 yrs old so we think upto free education of US we think he study in india. so is that fine we all travel to india for 3 to 4 weeks ??? my study ends in june 2017 so we plan to feb 20 2017 to mar 20 2017 so pls tell me what types of documents require for that ??
OR second thing just my wife and son go back to india and only my wife easiy return to USA ???
Hello,
I came to US on Jan 2016 F1 Visa and started doing my MBA . Now I transferred to another college to do MS. And I was enrolled in classes which are about to start in a week.
Now, Im in really emergency to visit India. Can it be possible??
Please guide me before I request my new DSO who I haven’t seen yet in my new college.
Thanks
Manoj,
I believe your DSO is your best person to answer this. Emergency situations do occur and if you follow proper process, there should not be any issues. Check with your DSO and carry relevant documentation.
hi , i want to go infia to meet my family but i got transfer in associate degree from master and now i am doing master because i got transfer again from assocoate to master but i am i am afraid that when i will come back from india they will denie my entry or not because of my this transfer
pls reply me sir fast
They will not just deny entry like that, unless they see something wrong. Speak to your DSO, carry proper documentation and you will be fine.
Hi,
I am on F1 visa and registered as a full time student for Fall 2016. I would like to make a visit to india for 2 weeks in the middle of semester with professors permission. Will this cause any problem during returning back to usa?
Mohammed,
It should not as long as you inform your DSO and have proper documents along with you. Speak to your DSO on the best way to handle and what all you need to carry.
Help needed urgently…..!!!
I am a current student in my masters third semester. i came to india for my summer vacation.
My classes are starting on 7th September 2016 but ill be reaching USA on 13th September. I am going to be 6 days late after the college start date.
I tried rescheduling my tickets but they are way too costly around 1000$ and are not available on the required dates.
Will I get the entry to USA or will i face any problem ?
Shruti,
As long as you have enrolled in classes and have a letter from the DSO regarding your travel, it should be fine. Make sure you take print out of your enrollment. Also, speak to your DSO and get their advice on the same.
I’ll be done with my studies in summer 2017 but i can attend my commencement ceremony in december 2017…in the meantime i want to come back to india…is it possible for me to do so?
Ritika,
Well, you can, but it all depends on what status you will hold when you come back. If you are not going to be on F1 status, you will have to apply for visitor visa and then travel. I suggest you speak to your DSO and seek their guidance on how best to address it.
I am planning to go to India during semester break . My school ends on 13th December and will begin 9th January. But I am planning to leave on 14th Dec and come back on 18th next month. What documents would I be needing to come back. Also, would I face any problems while coming back because of more than 30 days visit?
Ray,
You are usually free to travel during breaks and coming back by school start date. Usually you will need to carry new I20 and letter from school. Speak to your DSO on the documents and inform about your travel, they will help you.
Hi
My daughter got admission in an University in US and she got her student visa with that University Name. She also took her non-refundable one way ticket to US. She has i-20, SEVIS Fee receipt, income proof etc.. Now, she changed her mind to study in India itself. Her student visa is valid for 5 years from 01st Aug. 2016. Can she travel to US for 2 weeks as a tourist in the same visa and ticket to meet her friends and come back to India by taking a return ticket and without visiting the university.
Abdul,
I would advise against it. She was granted visa for a specific purpose and should not be misused for any other purpose. If she wants to travel for tourism, then she should appear for B-1/2 visa.
I came to US on H4 visa and did COS to F1 and graduating by Dec 2016. I want to travel to India and come back in a month’s time. With a valid job offer for OPT, can I travel and come back ? Do I need to go for F1 interview and get it stampted to come back ?
Radhika,
If you plan to return and work on OPT, then you need to get F-1 visa stamped. If you return on your H-4 visa stamp, then you cannot work.
My daughter has completed MS on 09 MAY 16 and she got an appointment letter for regular job from 18 JUL 16.
Can she visit India for a couple of weeks?
Will there be a problem while returning to US?
Please clarify.
Well, If she has OPT and has proper job offer or currently working and have valid F1 visa stamped, she may travel and re-enter on F1 visa. Having said that, it is always considered risky to travel back on OPT…many avoid travel on OPT, unless there is a dire need to stay away from issues.
Hello Sir
I changed my visa from b1/b2 to f1 but my classes start in sept 2016 fall mis programme semester in the university.But due to high fee i want to change my university now i want to go in college. So is it possible i apply for new visa for new school or not.Still four months i have to join universit.I am in USA.
Irfan,
You will need to speak to your current school and get your SEVIS transfer done. Not all of the schools allow transfer in first semester. First, you need to have admission from a new school and then you need to speak to your current DSO on the process and if they allow doing it.
Hello Admin,
I have been in the US for almost 2 years. I really want to go back home to visit but the thing is I have transferred 3 schools and changed major. But now I am currently attending the third school for good. This fall semester will be the third semester. But I am afraid that the CO won’t let me go back to the US to finish my degree.
Thanks and best regards
Nhi Dang
Nhi Dang,
What do you mean by CO ? Why would they not let you go back to US ?
I meant Counselor Officer and my visa is expired. They might not let me go back because I transferred many schools and changed major. That is my worry. Thank you for replying my post.
My fiancee is studying mba in USA, completed his 1st semester our marriage is fixed in December he is scared that he come back, he will be having issues to go again
What should be done ????
Neha,
Does he have to appear for F-1 stamp when visiting home country?
Help needed urgently,
I am a PhD student in Mathematics. Due to a medical emergency for which I underwent a surgery recently, I have visited India in Dec 2015. I took a semester off i.e, I skipped spring semester. Now, I have no graduate classes to be taken in the Summer semester, my dept doesn’t offer any graduate classes in summer. My DSO says “You must enroll in the term that you are “admitted” into the U.S., if you’ve already received an I-20 for a Summer start and know you can NOT register for classes in the Summer, please complete another I-20 request form and we will issue an I-20 for Fall” . Due to a semester break, I am going to be in India for about 5months. Now, if I have to enter in the next fall semester, Should I have to attend the visa interview again? Between I am trying to transfer to another university. Please do help with my confusing situation!
Vinay,
You will probably need to go for new visa, if you are out of US for over 5 months. Read 5 month rule f1 visa . One of the things you can do is, arrive to the same school for summer and take any other class in any other department. It does not matter that you need to take course only in your department, it may not help you with credits towards degree, but it will help you avoid the visa stamping, which can be tricky and give you give to plan your transfer…You can check with DSO or department on this aspect and confirm.
Hello Sir,
I’ll be completing my Masters program amd graduatig in May. At te same time, i got a PhD admit at the same university for Fall 2016.
I would like to go to India for a quick trip before the commencement of my PhD program.
Kindly let me know how i should go about it. Thank you.
Vibha Belavadi,
Do you have your F1 Visa still valid ? If so, you should be fine. You can just get the new I20 from school and re-enter US after your vacation for PhD program. Check with your DSO on the paperwork required and other fee, if any. I recommend you to check with your DSO for avoiding any issues.
hi can someone suggest me shall I go to my country during break actually I planning to take break in my fifth semester after completing fourth semester . actually m married and I have a baby and she has visa I want to go and bring my baby here . so is there any problem I have to face when I back from my country. pls help me what should I do so that I will come back safelyin us.
Meenakshi,
There should not be any problem. You can take a break semester during MS. Speak to your DSO and get it approved for taking semester break. Many students take a semester break to take care of family, medical reasons, etc. You have a valid reason to take break, go ahead and speak to DSO.
Hello Admin,
When on Trimester break with a CPT valid till May 8 ,2016.How long can we be outside US legally (like if visiting India). My employer is ready to give leave and work remotely. Please advise.
Thanks,
Manasi
Manasi,
Usually, you can take break for entire summer as there is no requirement to take classes. Your DSO will authorize your stay in India and suggest return date. You should be back in school, when the semester starts. You need to check with DSO on the other rules like working remotely and getting paid, etc. If it is short like a week or so, that can be considered vacation, but when you enroll in class and working on CPT, you need to be clear on rules, I suggest you speak to DSO at your school.
Hi,
My F1 visa is valid for another 3 years ,( i.e. upto 2019) and now i came back to india on OPT period from nov 14 to feb 10 for some personal reasons .
Now can i go back to US or it could be any problem in immigration.
Please give me correct advice and at the earliest, major decesion is to be taken
regards
sri,
If your F-1 visa is valid, and you are currently employed on OPT, then there shouldn’t be any issues. Make sure you carry employment letter, recent payslips and contact details of your employer/supervisor.
When is your OPT expiring?
hi i have arrivied in new york on 19 dec and my college is yet to start and i have a emergency at home as my mother was sick can i leave us and come back what are the procedures to be followed.
Hi sir actually am completing my grad on december 17th. i was planing to india for my brother marriage on december 20. While coming to us there will be any problem in immigration i applied my opt i will be getting my opt card in february. shall i go to india or not please help me in this.
hi sir
this is shanthan,
i am currently living in USA, am planning to go to India for a month in December after my 3rd semester. i have also registered for the subjects in the 4th semester. my concern about the trip is that while i come back from india to USA, will i face any problem at the port of entry as:
1. I got transferred to the current university from a different college. the first college terminated my sevis as i didn’t register for enough courses. so i had to go to mexico to cross the border and reactivate my sevis. on my college’s advice.
2. I have a transferred $3000 to my parents recently from my bank account.
will these affect my entry into USA at the port of entry.
Same position here I am travelling to India in between the semester for 23 days Feb23rd to March 17th, As my University officials gave permission to travel in those days and I transferred to other University from State University , Even I did many transactions from my account .
During the entry back to USA do they ask many questions….???
DO I allowed for 23days to travel between the Semester…??
Hi,
My daughter has completed MS in June,2015. Her F1 visa is valid for another 2 years ,( i.e. upto 2017) now she is on OPT which is valid till June,2016 . Her I20 is renewed.
She is getting married in April,2016 in india
can she come in December 2015 to Indian and go back to US after marriage in April 2016
Please give me correct advice and at the earliest, major decesion is to be taken
regards
Uday,
Is she employed on OPT? Is the employer ok to give her a break for this period and then rehire her on OPT later?
Hie sir,
Currently I enrolled for 1 online course and I will be graduating in this mid December, now I want to go to India at the end of November i.e 21st and return back on dec 1st, will it cause me any problem during my return journey at immigration?
Thank you,
sharath.
Check with DSO on the situation and take their advice as it may vary by school at times. Your DSO should approve your travel and give you all the documentation for travel, including required I20.
Actually I’m applying for OPT in mid of October so it will be in my I20, does it cause me any problem during immigration while returning? And does immigration officers ask me about opt and offer letter ?
Well, when you arrive in US, you will not yet be graduated. So, technically, you are fine, there is no need to have offer letter. Having said that, I still suggest you check with DSO, if you can travel when you applied OPT and get their advice. Rules keep changing and DSO is the best person to advice you on travel.
Actually i came here in august 8th and i m not comfortable here and i want to go to india in december after completion of my 1st semester so can i go to india for 1 month for my new year and christmas????
Yes, you can go back whenever you want. First, book your ticket otherwise you will pay way too much because of the holiday season. Second, during Nov or in Dec (around your final exams), go and meet someone in the international office and tell them you are going back home (ex- India) for 3-6 weeks (depending on your Uni- some give 3 weeks break, and some give 6 weeks- mine is 6 weeks :P). You must have got 3 page i20…so take the 2nd page that has been signed by the international officer of your university to the international office of your Uni. They will give you a new I20 and you have to carry that new I20 along with that signed 2nd page to India. These are the docs that custom officer will ask for when you return. Basically, you will have every doc that you had when you first arrived…only thing that will change is your i20(new one). If I remember correctly, 1st page is the regular I20, 2nd page is the one that you need, 3rd page consist of instructions.
If you University did not give you that 2nd page, then it is better to go to them right now and tell them about your plans. You can book your return ticket whenever you want and custom officer will not ask you any question. When you’ll come back i.e in jan/feb, USA custom officer will just verify your docs…i.e 2nd page signed by the uni officer.
Hi,
Im on my semester break this fall.My question is can I come back to USA before my break ends.That is somewhere in October.Is there a procedure to be followed .Please help me in this situation.
hello all,
i am on f1-visa come to USA for this fall-2015,,, and am satying with my friends…but unfortunetly i am unable to stay in usa. so, i am decided to leave usa with out reporting in theuniversity…do i have any process to follow, reply wolud be appreciated…..
Jay, you need to inform the University DSO about your departure to avoid issues in the future.
Jay how much time u stayed in usa??
Hey hai…. I am doing my masters and done spring 2015 semister and summer and now I want to take fall 2015 semester break and go back to my country beacause my marriage has been fixed. So what the process to go back to india and after marriage i want to continue my masters from where i have stopped. Do i need to visa interveiw again? My studen solution center officer said that he gave me one form and said to submit this while leaving the country so that your i20 will be deactivated and send supporting documents like financial statements so that we reveiw it and send your activated i20 is this goes good? Once we step out of country will they really send my new i20?? Please reply.
Roja, There is an option in school system to take a semester break. You do not need to attend visa interview, if your current F1 is valid. Speak to your DSO and get the break approved. I know few people who have taken semester break and visited home country for various reasons like medical help, family situations, etc. It is quite possible to take a break.
Thank you ?
Hi I got finished with first semester and now I am going to transfer to another school which starts in October ,so I want to go back to india for one month.will it be any problem at immigration ??someone reply me as soon as possible …
It should not be an issue. You need to speak to your DSO before you travel and seek opinion on what is the best way to transfer, i.e before or after. Speak to the DSO at the new University you plan to transfer.
I am on F1visa pursuing my masters. I have completed my 2 semisters. I going to complete my masters by december 2015.
I am on vaccation from may25th,2015. I came to my motherland. My return ticket was on july 27th. I want to postpobe my ticket till august 25th. I just want to know is there any problem if i postpobe my ticket till august 25. It would be 3months that i am on vaccation.* Is any problem for my OPT if i stay in my motherland for 3months.??? * Will there be any questions in immigration.?? * Is there any problem for my visa status. ??
Some my frnds are saying there would be a problem. Some are saying no worries. Could you please give me a correct information. Thank you 🙂
I am on F1 visa pursuing my masters, completed my 2 semisters. I am going to complete my masters in december 2015, So i am on vaccation from may 25th. My rerurn ticket was on july 27th. I want to postpone my ticket till august 25th. And my classes going to start from august 28th. Is there any problem if i stay in my mother land for 3months.??
Would be any problem for my OPT..?? Are there any questions in immigration.???
Some of my friends are saying there would be a problem. Some are saying there is no problem. Could you please give me a correct information.
Hi guys,
Im planing to back my home country as soon as possible. But i have some afraid. Because i was come here to study SCCC but i just study there for only 1 semister, then i studied at PSU for 2 semister. Now im planing to study LACC after travel my homecountry. What should i do, and are there any problame to comeback USA.
Please give me answer as soon as possible ^_^
I will be going to U.S. For Ms this august(2015). I want to come back India after completing my first semester i.e December ending and I will return to u.s. After a month .Is it possible or will there be any problem?
Its possible. No worries!!!
Hi Kumar,
Your article is useful.
I have a query, am graduating this summer semester (aug 8th 2015) and i have a travel plan from june 27th to july 24. I have enrolled for 4 courses for this semester 2 courses will be completing on june 25th and one is online course will be active till aug 8th and other is individual project work will be there till aug 8th. Can you please suggest me is is safe to to travel ?? what documents i need to carry? i have applied for OPT on june 1st and it is pending .
please suggest me..thanks
Santhosh, You should be fine to travel out of the country as long as you have a valid visa for re-entry. It is good to carry all your documents like your OPT application, etc. Speak to your DSO, he will give you a new I-20 and suggest on the required documents that you need to carry.
Thank you..
Hello,
I am on vacation to India and have 10 days left to go to usa, I don’t have a new I20 but I got the travel signature from the International advising office.
Thank you.
Hi..I am visiting US this august on a B-1 visa for 20 days . I also have plans to do my masters this December. Will my B-1 visa have an effect on my F-1 stamping. I will attend my F-1 stamping in November in India. Any help with this would be appreciated.
Hi,
I want to go to my home country due to an emergency for 11 week. how does it will effect my f1 status ? can i go for 1 week?
reply me asap.. Thank u…
Actually am a full student in a X university and i want to go back to my country for a break after i finish my semestre in December 2014. But i want to transfer to another university and start in March. I have a F1 visa and it still valide till May 2015. What do i need?
Hi,
I am on F1 visa status and my visa got expired. Unfortunately i had to visit INDIA in emergency and got stuck here. I went for the visa interview for extension and they cancelled my visa. My question is can i apply for visiting visa and go back to usa .
hello,
I have come for fall,but I would like to visit my hometown(country) after the 1st semester.Is it a good option to visit my hometown.
regards,
nikita
Nikita,
yes you can visit. All you need is take a new Travel I20 from your college and you can use it to enter US again.
I came on a visit visa that is b1/b2, I changed my status to F1 here. It’s been almost a year now that I have been living here. My question to you is about going back to my home country. I have heard from people that once you come here and change your status to F1, you do not get a permission to go back to your country and come back. Like once you go back, you will need to schedule an interview to come back to U.S. Is that true?
Muhammad,
This is being discussed in the Q&A blog.
does anyone know ?i have been to us for almost 4 years and i just study ESL only and my visa is gonna expired in mei 2014 .now , i decide to visit my country (indonesia) for 3 weeks .can i go back indonesian and came back here ? can anyone answer ASAP!!! thank
My Wife is on H4. Currently she is doing MS . Got F1 visa recently. F1 visa start date is on Dec 4th. Can she travel to india and return before Dec on H4 visa without stamping F1?
Please suggest
Hello,
I just got my break for spring quarter so I’m going back to my homecountry and stay there for 14 days than I have a scheduled fly to korea but the problem is, my flight is here in new york, can I come back to new york just to get my flight or I will have problems ?
I’m current with F-1 visa, and I signed the paper that I would like my break, in the botoom of the paper was written that I couldnt come back to NYC till my spring quarter is done, so does that mean that I can catch a Flight here in NYC JFK ?
Thank you.
Anderson.
Hi sir,
I’m currently doing my MS in one of the universities in California. Presently I am on H4 visa planning to convert the status to F1 visa.Can I go to Canada for stamping ?What do you recommend? Can I travel to India without taking a semester break? Please suggest
Thanks in advance!
Shruthi,
To convert from H-4 to F-1, you don’t need to go out of US. You can file COS from H-4 to F-1 and once approved you will be on F-1 status. No stamping is required as long as you continue to be in US. You will need to get F-1 visa stamped only when you travel out of US next.
hi guys
anyone can help me.
can we travel INDIA from USA after taking immediate transfer from ESL college to some X-university for 2nd semester, after taking long break of 12months in ESL.
already have X-university 5yrs visa and also completed 1st semester there.
need to go INDIA urgently……………………. i will have transfer I-20 of X-university in next month and travel INDIA in NOV… so is there any chances of problem related to transfer of college at AIRPORT ENTRY.
PLS SOME ONE HELP ME OUT
Dear Sir,
Please give me fully details of F1 Visa in my mail id.
Thank & Regards
Ravi Lohani
Be more specific on what you want Ravi. Post your questions in Forum.