Unless you are a Canadian citizen, all F or J visa holders must have a valid visa to enter the U.S. The F or J visa determines when and how often you can enter. However, you may remain in the U.S. after the expiration date of your visa as long as your immigration status and Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20 or DS-2019) are still valid. You will need to renew your visa if you plan to travel outside the U.S. and will not have a valid visa by the time you return to continue your program of study.
It is not possible to renew your F or J visa inside the U.S. Visas are only processed by a U.S. embassy or consulate, which are all located outside the U.S.
How to Apply for a Visa Renewal
Submit an application for a visa (Form DS-160), then set an interview appointment with the U.S. embassy or consulate in the country you plan to visit for the visa. Depending on your location, the process may take several weeks or longer so plan your travel accordingly.
Students who submit a visa renewal application may be contacted about their eligibility for a visa interview waiver. Visit the U.S. embassy or consulate you plan to renew your visa at for more details on interview waiver eligibility requirements.
Applying for a Visa in a Third Country
The ISS office recommends that students apply for a visa renewal in their home country. However, you can choose to apply for a U.S. visa renewal in a location that is not your country of citizenship or legal permanent residence. This is referred to as “applying in a third country.”
The U.S. embassy or consulate will list if there are any limitations or guidelines for third country applicants on their website. Other factors to consider:
- Do you need a separate visa to enter this country (e.g. tourist or other)?
- The U.S. consul will keep your passport while processing a visa renewal
- There’s always a possibility of Administrative Processing, which has no estimated timeline for completion
- If you’ve been subject to Administrative Processing in the past, you may be impacted by policies that limit visa renewal in a third country or may be subject to another Administrative Processing timeline
- Once you submit a nonimmigrant visa renewal application, you are no longer eligible for Automatic Revalidation while waiting for a decision