American F- 1 Visa Renewal Strategy

The U.S F/ 1 visa is valid for one year, but your F/ 1 in the U.S is determined by the date on I/20.

renewal process

After your one-year visa expires, if you plan to go abroad (leave the United States) and return to other countries and regions outside China or Canada, you must renew your F- 1 visa in China or a third country before you can return to the United States. After the renewal, you will get a new visa, valid for one year. And so on.

Preparation before updating

Before you leave the United States, you must take your I-20 to the international student office (OISS, OIS or OIA) of your school and stamp it. Each stamp is valid for six months. You can only renew it if you have stamps.

Visa validity period

If you don't plan to leave the United States after four years of college, your expired visa plus your I-20 is the document for your legal residence in the United States.