H1-F1 conversion / general student visa questions

Alright. My question is simple, and I guess the problem too is simple...
I'm doing my MS right now. Visa is valid until 2013. Starting with MBA this fall (Class of 2012).
So, I presume all I have to do is - Get the new I20. Change the annotation on Visa. Is that right? And what is the procedure to change the I20 on Visa?

Hey Guys,

My immigration attorney mentioned changing I-140 to Consular Processing instead of canceling I-140. Am a bit confused, I was under the impression that canceling I-140 would be the best approach. What did you immigration attorney recommend?

You're thinkin' what I'm thinkin'

I am hoping to get my H1B (with approved I140) to H4 conversion and go to school on H4. Anyone else in this situation? Is H1B to H4 less riskier than H1B to F1?

Has anyone already withdrawn their I 140? My lawyer says that it might take USCIS several months to acknowledge the cancellation of I 140. Did anyone already start the process?

Link which explains about the CoS procedure from H1 to F1.

https://www.isso.cornell.edu/immigration/f1/h1tof1.php

forgive me guys if I'm posting in the wrong place!!

Could any Visa applicants from Bangalore PM me? We could discuss the pretty confusing Visa process and apply for a Visa together, maybe....

Thanks

Guys,

Just wanted to run this plan by u all. I am planning on flying to India on may 27 and will schedule a visa interview to get an F1 visa (post dated). U can apply for and F1 120 days in advance, but u cannot enter the US 30 days prior to the Univ start date. So, assuming they stamp the visa, I can come back on my H1-B and resign from work (after working for a month or 2).I will still need to exit the country (maybe visit canada) and come back on the new F1.

What do u guys think? For the record, I have an approved I140. I spoke with USCIS and they said that I should speak with the VO in person and they will in all probability not have an issue with the GC process. I would need to make a compelling argument though.

(https://www.immigration-information.com/ ... #post16841)

Just bumping the thread.

Hello, I have lived in the US for 10 years on F-1 and then H1-B visas. Now I am accepted to a MBA program, I need to apply for a new F-1. In my home country, it takes 2 months to process the visa because of background check and high volume of student visa applicants in the summer. This entirely screws up my travel plan for the summer (they hold my passport during that 2 months) therefore, I am thinking to go to Canada to get my F-1 visa.

Have anybody had experience like this? Notice, that this is not a F-1 visa extension, this is switching from H1-B to F-1 in canada as a third country applicant.

I don't want to take too much risk on the visa just to make my travel plans, at the same time i have been under legal status and traveled frequently back to my home country throughout my 10 years in the States. I also have solid prove of financial support to pay for school, and also reasons to return to my home country after graduation.

Please advise. I really need to decide asap!!

so I am guessing you are either from India or China
you sure about the background check thing? MBA does not fall into the sensitive major catagory. You want to be a little careful with third country change of status, if your case is prone to background check, you can get background check anywhere, even in Canada. And then it means you get stuck there for 2 months... or so, it's possible that the visa officer will return you to your home country because they highly recommend people to apply to new type of visa in home country. If you are really concerned about this, doing a COS within the states is the safetest way I suppose.

COS as Change of Status? But that means i have to remain in the states, right? if i leave the US, i have to apply for the F-1 again, because i need to be stamped? The whole point of going to canada is because i need to travel overseas (non home country, non US).

Please let me know what does COS means exactly? and what does getting a F-1 stamp mean?

On the background check, there is a chance that i can get my visa quickly in my country, but it says on their website "highly recommend apply 2 months before travel dates". In canada, it takes 4 days to process, I just called them......

So, any advise? Thanks!

please read the previous posts on this thread for COS information, and yes, if you plan to travel out of country, you will need F1 stamp to come back.

do u mean to say u are gonna keep the I-140 and go to india to try and get a F1?
all the lawyers i talked to suggested withdrawing i-140 first. no consensus on whether CoS while in usa or visiting consulate in home country is better. i might just adopt the CoS approach and then stamp the F1 once I start school.

Yes. The fact that you had applied for a GC establishes intent in anycase. So, the likelihood of not getting the F1 based on GC app is always there regardless of whether u withdraw ur 1-140 or not. It boils down to the VO in both cases. Please note that this is what I am planning to do and wouldnt necessarily advise others on doing the same.

Do consulate people answer questions on the phone?

Please post your strategy. I already withdrew my I 140. Anyone else doing the same?