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Thank you so much for sharing the update!

Dumb question - you had to leave the US to go to an embassy to do this? Did you go to your home country or somewhere else?


Shlgpt90210
Hi All - just wanted to share a quick update that I was able to get my F1 visa yesterday (with an approved I-140).

IMO, It was a fairly smooth process versus how the lawyers had made it out to be. The counselor did point out that I had a pending immigration petition but was super understanding, partly because A) there is a still a decent amount of time for my priority date to be current and B) I'm going to a top 5 school. Beyond that it was pretty much a regular visa interview.

Happy to answer anything specific in case there are any questions!

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Yes, had to go out as the change of status process within the country takes 9-12 months which makes it impossible!

I didn’t go to my home country - I went to one of the Caribbean islands.

bb
Thank you so much for sharing the update!

Dumb question - you had to leave the US to go to an embassy to do this? Did you go to your home country or somewhere else?


Shlgpt90210
Hi All - just wanted to share a quick update that I was able to get my F1 visa yesterday (with an approved I-140).

IMO, It was a fairly smooth process versus how the lawyers had made it out to be. The counselor did point out that I had a pending immigration petition but was super understanding, partly because A) there is a still a decent amount of time for my priority date to be current and B) I'm going to a top 5 school. Beyond that it was pretty much a regular visa interview.

Happy to answer anything specific in case there are any questions!

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Thank you so much for posting your experience.
That's very helpful and reassuring.
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Getting into top 5 colleges indeed help a lot in visa process. May I know which college you got in ?

Shlgpt90210
Hi All - just wanted to share a quick update that I was able to get my F1 visa yesterday (with an approved I-140).

IMO, It was a fairly smooth process versus how the lawyers had made it out to be. The counselor did point out that I had a pending immigration petition but was super understanding, partly because A) there is a still a decent amount of time for my priority date to be current and B) I'm going to a top 5 school. Beyond that it was pretty much a regular visa interview.

Happy to answer anything specific in case there are any questions!

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Shlgpt90210
Yes, had to go out as the change of status process within the country takes 9-12 months which makes it impossible!

I didn’t go to my home country - I went to one of the Caribbean islands.


Got it. Thanks! Makes sense. I went to Canada. But it makes for quite a risky transition, especially today and now with closures and travel bands and everything else 😬

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Yes, for sure - I entered back on my H1B visa but will be going to Canada border to re-enter on F1 in a few weeks :) This whole process has been a doozy but we are finally getting there!

bb
Shlgpt90210
Yes, had to go out as the change of status process within the country takes 9-12 months which makes it impossible!

I didn’t go to my home country - I went to one of the Caribbean islands.


Got it. Thanks! Makes sense. I went to Canada. But it makes for quite a risky transition, especially today and now with closures and travel bands and everything else 😬

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Shlgpt90210
Yes, for sure - I entered back on my H1B visa but will be going to Canada border to re-enter on F1 in a few weeks :) This whole process has been a doozy but we are finally getting there!

bb
Shlgpt90210
Yes, had to go out as the change of status process within the country takes 9-12 months which makes it impossible!

I didn’t go to my home country - I went to one of the Caribbean islands.


Got it. Thanks! Makes sense. I went to Canada. But it makes for quite a risky transition, especially today and now with closures and travel bands and everything else 😬

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Congrats! I do have a question regarding your visa. Do you have both H1B and F1 stamp on your passport now? And when you pass the custom, did they ask anything about your F1 visa and I assume you can still work legally now in US?
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Yes, I do have both stamps but you can only be in the US on one status. I exited the country, went to Canada and entered on F1 - now I can only study and not work.

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Shlgpt90210
Yes, I do have both stamps but you can only be in the US on one status. I exited the country, went to Canada and entered on F1 - now I can only study and not work.

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Got it thanks!

So when you came back with H1B, did custom ask anything on the F1? Or you can tell them which visa you want to use?... Sorry about so many questions, I am on the same boat now..
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All good - customs just ask you what you are here for and you just mention work or F1, whichever you are entering on. I’m not a lawyer so take it for what’s it worth but in case a question comes up, you could say that your program is starting on xyz date and you will renter at that point.

If you are worried, I would definitely suggest speaking with an immigration lawyer.

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Shlgpt90210
All good - customs just ask you what you are here for and you just mention work or F1, whichever you are entering on. I’m not a lawyer so take it for what’s it worth but in case a question comes up, you could say that your program is starting on xyz date and you will renter at that point.

If you are worried, I would definitely suggest speaking with an immigration lawyer.

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This is super helpful thanks!
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Shlgpt90210
All good - customs just ask you what you are here for and you just mention work or F1, whichever you are entering on. I’m not a lawyer so take it for what’s it worth but in case a question comes up, you could say that your program is starting on xyz date and you will renter at that point.

If you are worried, I would definitely suggest speaking with an immigration lawyer.

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Hello again! Sorry I have one more question..did they mention anything about revoking your H1B while you were interviewing F1? or it's legally allowed to have both visas on one passport?
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I believe we can have multiple visas (eg F1 and H1B) but only one status in the country. But again, please ask a lawyer about all these things - easier to consult an expert.

tomorrowrich
Shlgpt90210
All good - customs just ask you what you are here for and you just mention work or F1, whichever you are entering on. I’m not a lawyer so take it for what’s it worth but in case a question comes up, you could say that your program is starting on xyz date and you will renter at that point.

If you are worried, I would definitely suggest speaking with an immigration lawyer.

Posted from my mobile device
Hello again! Sorry I have one more question..did they mention anything about revoking your H1B while you were interviewing F1? or it's legally allowed to have both visas on one passport?
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Shlgpt90210
I believe we can have multiple visas (eg F1 and H1B) but only one status in the country. But again, please ask a lawyer about all these things - easier to consult an expert.

tomorrowrich
Shlgpt90210
All good - customs just ask you what you are here for and you just mention work or F1, whichever you are entering on. I’m not a lawyer so take it for what’s it worth but in case a question comes up, you could say that your program is starting on xyz date and you will renter at that point.

If you are worried, I would definitely suggest speaking with an immigration lawyer.

Posted from my mobile device
Hello again! Sorry I have one more question..did they mention anything about revoking your H1B while you were interviewing F1? or it's legally allowed to have both visas on one passport?

Thanks again!
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I'm in the same boat. Just to Summarize the whole thread.

1. Got Approved to M7 school while on H1-B
2. COS is taking time 8-9 months, so OP opted for f1 stamping
3. Just to be on safe side, Since H1b Stamp is expired, you got that renewed by going to nearby country but not your home country
4. Once H1B is approved, you came back on H1b to states
5. You got your F1 stamped going to nearby country but not your home country, but came back to states on H1B. At this point you have both stamps valid
6. Right before your start of school, you exited and came back on f1.

Please correct me if I posted anything wrong. Thank you.
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mbawizard
Hi All,

I was hoping I would be able to get the contact of someone who went through this process in previous years.
I am currently in the US on a H1B Visa with an approved I-140.
I have a b-school admit but I am told that "Change of Status" to F1 while I am in the US takes 11-12 months.
The other option is to go for F1 Stamping which is again risky because I have an approved I-140 (intent to immigrate).
Is anyone else in the same boat?



Moderator note: the OP successfully navigated the process and received an F1 and started school
https://gmatclub.com/forum/yale-som-vs- ... l#p2227960
Did you go for stamping?

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Likely and likely had to leave the country to enter on a new status? 🤷‍♂️

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