[parikhvh]

Dear Expert,

My student visa is issued on Jun 2006 and expires on May 2011. I studied MBA in US from Aug 2006 to Dec 2008 on F-1 visa.
I came back to home country in Jan 2009 after finishing MBA. Since then I am working in my country and never visited United States. My out of USA stay would be more than 1.5 year when I will go back for study.
I am planning to go back for MS Program in August 2010. I have two questions.

1) Do I need to apply for F-1 visa renewal before itS expiry as it is valid for only 6 month at port of entry? I definitely need I-20 from that school.

2) Can this student visa valid for university other than original issued university in visa page?


I look forward for the response.
Thanks and regards,
Vishal

[lawanwadee]

When you leave US for more than 5 months, you must apply for a new F-1 visa, there is no renewal.

Get a new I-20 and appy for a new F-1.

[parikhvh]

[QUOTE=lawanwadee;2114624]When you leave US for more than 5 months, you must apply for a new F-1 visa, there is no renewal.

If, I go to same university with new I-20 before the visa expires, do I need to apply again? I am outside US for more than 5 months.
Get a new I-20 and appy for a new F-1.

[lawanwadee]

Yes..