Can I Stay in The US After My F1 Visa Expires? - EBETEC Language Academy

An F1 visa is an international student visa that allows students to travel and study in the United States of America. But what should happen when one is holding f-1 visa students? And can you still be a resident of the country? Alright, to know more about this let’s dive a little deeper into it and see what you are in a position to do.

1. F1 Visa as opposed to Duration of Status (D/S)

F-1 Visa Students

F1 is your visa ticket to get into the United States of America. But this is not the only component that determines how long you can have the status for. Upon arrival in the United States, an immigration officer issues you the ‘Duration of Status’ (D/S) stamp. It also means that you can await your green light inside the USA as long as you’re still in school, which is an F1 visa. If your visa has expired, you are legally allowed to stay as long as your D/S is still intact.

2. Life in the United States

When Do You Have to Leave? When you finish your program, you are normally allowed 60 days before you are required to depart the U.S. This is what is referred to as the grace period. Within these 60 days, the student can arrange to go back to his home country or transfer to another school and apply for a change of visa status. However, you cannot study or work during this period if you don’t have another permit or approval.

3. What if my visa still expires before I complete my study?

If your F1 visa expires while you are still a student, you don’t have to panic. It is legal to be in the U.S. for as long as the person holds a valid D/S permit. However, if you leave for another country other than the United States and your F1 visa has expired, you will need to apply for a new one in order to return to the United States.

4. The Rights You Get After Completing Your Program

OPT means the opportunity to work in your field of study for up to 12 months after your course completion. For example, if you are a STEM student, you can add 24 months to this period. Change of Status: Yes, one can apply to relocate from an F1 visa to some other visa, such as an H1B working visa or a business or tourist visa (B2). This process has to be initiated before your D/S expiration date. Start a New Program: Another F1 visa option is to apply for a new educational program to enroll for another F1 visa. This can be in the same school or even in a different school depending on the circumstances.

5. Staying in the U.S. 

Without Legal Status As a general rule, if your status is D/S and your D/S visa runs out, you are prohibited by law from remaining in the U.S. while maintaining the same D/S status. If you remain in the USA beyond your permitted time, then you will be ‘out of status’. Nonimmigrants may find themselves out of status and may be subject to deportation or a future bar on reentering the United States. It is very imperative to obey all the regulations and stay legal in the United States of America.

Conclusion

It is legal to remain in the United States after the expiration of the f-1 visa students for as long as the D/S is still in existence. But you should make sure to stick to these laws and not overstay your legal bud. If you want to remain in the USA after your academic course is over, then it will be advised to go for OPT, change your visa type, or enroll in another program. However, before you can make any changes, make sure to seek permission from your school’s designated school official (DSO) or any licensed immigration lawyer. Know more at EBETEC Language Academy.