Can I transit through the US with an expired F-1 visa?

Can I transit through the US with an expired F-1 visa? - Black worker with smartphone waiting for subway at metro station

I'm an international student doing a PHD in the USA. Currently my F-1 Visa expired but I have a new I-20 to renew it in my home country Colombia. I have a trip for an India conference for 10 day starting June 10 and ending June 20. My plan is to go to India from the US and then return to Colombia to renew my Visa but from India to Colombia the flight makes a stop in Newark, and I understand you must have a transit visa to do this. My question is, can I do it with my expired F-1 visa?



Best Answer

There's no such thing as 'transit' for the US, unfortunately, you need a legal visa to enter. However, there are some caveats for this.

Firstly, is your visa expired? If so (as yours is), you need a new one:

If your visa is expired or you have already used the number of entries you are allowed, you will need to apply for a new F-1 visa in order to re-enter the U.S.

However, if you are just passing through to visit certain countries, there are some exceptions:

If you are traveling only to Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean (except Cuba and Bermuda) for fewer than thirty days, you may return to the U.S. with an expired F-1 entry visa in your passport

I went hunting to see what they defined the 'Caribbean' as, but unfortunately, it's not Colombia.

If your U.S. F-1 or J-1 visa has expired...limited to only U.S. territories, Canada, Mexico and adjacent islands of the Caribbean, and your combined visits to these countries must be limited to less than 30 days.

U.S. Territories in the Caribbean include Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John).

Adjacent islands of the Caribbean (as defined in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations at 8CFR 286.1(a) include:

Anguilla, Antigua, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Barbuda, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Curacao, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Jamaica, Marie-Galante, Martinique, Miquelon, Montserrat, Saba, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Christopher, Saint Eustatius, Saint Kitts-Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Maarten, Saint Martin, Saint Pierre, Saint Vincent and Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, and other British, French and Netherlands territory or possessions bordering on the Caribbean Sea.




Pictures about "Can I transit through the US with an expired F-1 visa?"

Can I transit through the US with an expired F-1 visa? - Public railway station with clock in center
Can I transit through the US with an expired F-1 visa? - Railway station with clock in classic building
Can I transit through the US with an expired F-1 visa? - Cable car against modern district in city



Can I transit through USA with expired visa?

Do not make final travel plans or buy tickets until you have a visa. Unless canceled or revoked, a visa is valid until its expiration date. Therefore, a valid U.S. visa in an expired passport is still valid.

Can you transit through USA without visa?

In general, travelers in transit through the United States require valid C-1 visas.

How long can I stay in the US after my F1 visa expires?

You may return to the US after an absence of no more than five months. You must have a new F1 visa if your original one has expired. Have your designated school official sign your I-20 before leaving the US.

Can I stay in US with expired passport but valid visa?

Your visa has to be valid on the old passport that expired. It has to meet the purpose of the travel. The visa on old passport should not be damaged and in good condition. You need to carry both of your passports \u2013 the current valid passport and the old passport with valid US Visa.



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: Ketut Subiyanto, Charlotte May, Charlotte May, Charles Parker