Can I return to the US with expired I-20 and valid F-1 visa?
I have a plan to travel outside of the US in April 2019 in an emergency. I have my I20(CPT second Masters) which is expiring in March 2019. But I have a valid F1 visa till June 2019, I am planning to come back in April itself which is a very short trip. I will also receive an I20 from the university for next 2 years. But that will be a different course. How safe it is to travel in this case? Do I need a visa stamp while returning back to US since my I20 is expired? or is it ok as I have a valid visa till June 2019?
Please let me know your opinions.
Thank you!!
Best Answer
You need a valid I-20 to return to the US with a valid student visa. Your SEVIS record needs to be in Active status. You may be refused entry or denied boarding with an expired I-20/terminated SEVIS record. If you are not able to obtain the new I-20 before you leave the US, you should have it sent to you at wherever you are traveling outside the US.
The USCIS web site advises:
If you need to travel on a terminated record, you must first visit your DSO. If your school has requested a correction request or data fix, the DSO will put your correction request or help desk ticket number on your Form I-20 and report your pending travel to SEVP.
There is no guarantee that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will readmit you to the United States if you travel on a terminated record. In most cases, CBP inspectors will allow you to reenter the United States if you are otherwise admissible and your DSO has properly annotated your Form I-20. It is likely, however, that the CBP officer at the port of entry will send you to secondary inspection while they determine whether you are eligible to return to the United States.
If you have an expired visa and a terminated record, SEVP advises you not to travel outside the United States until your SEVIS record shows that you are in Active status. If you do travel, you may not be able to renew your visa or return to the United States.
Pictures about "Can I return to the US with expired I-20 and valid F-1 visa?"
Can I enter the US if my I-20 is expired?
The I-20 indicates the institution in which you are permitted to study, your program of study, and the dates of eligibility. The I-20 must remain valid at all times.Can I travel back to the US with an expired visa?
Many nonimmigrants will need to reapply and be reissued visas to reenter the U.S. when their existing visas have expired, even if they are in possession of valid admission stamp or paper Form I-94, because automatic revalidation applies to limited categories of travelers.How long can I stay in the US after my I-20 expires?
The 60-day grace period should be calculated from the date of completion. Students authorized for post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) have a 60-day grace period beginning from the date the OPT expires (as noted on the Employment Authorization Card).Can I use my previous but still valid F-1 Visa with a new I-20 form and sevis number from the same institution?
Therefore, even if your visa has different (previous) SEVIS ID number (starting with N which can be found in your Form I-20), than your new I-20, you are not required to renew it as long as it is valid.Can I Stay In The US With An Expired F-1 Visa? | Immigration Law Advice 2021
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Element5 Digital, Gotta Be Worth It, Karolina Grabowska, Karolina Grabowska