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Students

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  • If I previously studied on a student visa in the United States (and that visa is still valid), do I need a new F-1 visa to return to the United States to attend a different school?

    If I previously studied on a student visa in the United States (and that visa is still valid), do I need a new F-1 visa to return to the United States to attend a different school?

    • If more than five months have elapsed between the time you left fulltime student status and/or the United States, and the time you intend to re-enter the United States, you must apply for a new student visa.  If it has been or will be less than 5 months, you can enter on your current, facially valid F-1 visa, even if the visa is annotated for a different school than is listed on your I-20.  Be sure to present a valid I-20 for the new school in combination with your F-1 visa annotated for the previous school.
  • When should I apply for student visa renewal?

    When should I apply for student visa renewal?

    • As soon as possible, but the earliest we can issue a student visa is 120 days before the start of your studies as listed on your I-20.  You may not need a new visa (see question 1).  If you do, it’s never too early to schedule an appointment.  You can even schedule your appointment while you’re still in the United States.  You do not have to wait until you return to Saudi Arabia to schedule your visa interview.
  • Can I renew my student visa in the United States?

    Can I renew my student visa in the United States?

    • No. Visas can only be obtained at U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad.
  • Can my brother/sister/mother/father accompany me to the United States as a dependent?

    Can my brother/sister/mother/father accompany me to the United States as a dependent?

    • Only your spouse and children (unmarried, under the age of 21) can accompany you to the United States as dependents, usually on F-2 visas.  If qualified, your close family members who don’t qualify for F-2 visas may be able to accompany you on a B1/B2 business/tourism visa.  However, their stay is generally restricted to six months and they would need to apply for an extension with the immigration service (USCIS) in the United States if they wish to stay longer.
  • I’m also a U.S. citizen. Can I get an F-1 student visa? And/or can my wife and children receive an F-2 dependent visa?

    I’m also a U.S. citizen. Can I get an F-1 student visa? And/or can my wife and children receive an F-2 dependent visa?

    • No, a U.S. citizen cannot receive a visa to the United States.  U.S. citizens must enter and depart the United States using their U.S. passports.  The spouse and children of a U.S. citizen may not receive F-2 visas.  As a U.S. citizen you may file a petition to begin the immigration process of acquiring permanent residency for your spouse and children.
  • Can I bring my maid on a visa with me to the United States if I’m going on a student visa?

    Can I bring my maid on a visa with me to the United States if I’m going on a student visa?

    • No, we strongly discourage it.
  • What if my F-1 visa expires while I’m in the United States?

    What if my F-1 visa expires while I’m in the United States?

    • You are free to remain in the United States for the period of time indicated on your I-94.  For students, this is typically indicated as “duration of status” which means that you may remain in the United States for the length of your studies.  However, if you depart the United States after your visa expires, or if your visa expires while you are abroad, then you will need to apply for a new visa to re-enter the United States.
  • When must I renew my F-1 visa?

    When must I renew my F-1 visa?

    • You must renew your F-1 visa if you decide to travel outside the U.S. and your current F-1 visa will expire before you re-enter the United States to continue your program. If this is the case, you will need to apply for another F-1 visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
  • How early can I enter the United States on my F-1 visa?

    How early can I enter the United States on my F-1 visa?

    • Thirty days before the start date indicated on your form I-20.
  • How long can I remain in the United States on my student visa after I complete my studies?

    How long can I remain in the United States on my student visa after I complete my studies?

    • If you have completed your academic program and have not applied for another academic program, or post-graduation training, you can remain in the United States up to 60 days after your studies have ended.  During this time, you may travel around the United States, but you may not re-enter on your student visa once you have departed, even if it is within 60 days of completing your academic program.
  • Can I enter the United States on my F-1 visa after the date of study listed on my I-20?

    Can I enter the United States on my F-1 visa after the date of study listed on my I-20?

    • For your initial entry, you cannot enter after the date of study listed on your I-20.  If the start date on your I-20 has already passed, you will need to get a new I-20 with a start date in the future.
  • If I enter the United States on a tourist visa, can I later change my status to a student visa in order to begin my studies?

    If I enter the United States on a tourist visa, can I later change my status to a student visa in order to begin my studies?

    • Yes, but if you already have a student visa in your passport, you may depart and re-enter the United States to initiate that status.  A change of status within the United States must be done with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and it takes time to complete.
  • What if the Embassy keeps my passport, but I don’t hear anything for weeks? Is the visa still being processed?

    What if the Embassy keeps my passport, but I don’t hear anything for weeks? Is the visa still being processed?

    • While the majority of visas are processed within a few weeks, occasionally a visa will take longer to be issued.  While the processing is ongoing, you may take back your passport by sending an email, along with your passport number, to RiyadhNIV@state.gov, or DhahranNIV@state.gov or JeddahVisas@state.gov (depending on where you had your interview).  When the processing is complete, we will contact you to send in your passport so that the visa may be printed.
  • Can I go on vacation to Mexico and return to the United States to study on my F-1 student visa?

    Can I go on vacation to Mexico and return to the United States to study on my F-1 student visa?

    • If you travel to a contiguous territory (including Canada and Mexico) and are there for less than 30 days, you do not need to have a valid F-1 visa to re-enter the United States. You must be in valid F-1 status, have a valid I-20, an unexpired passport and a valid I-94. Please contact the Mexican Embassy and Canadian Embassy for information on visa requirements for those countries for Saudi citizens.
  • If I change schools, do I need to get a new visa?

    If I change schools, do I need to get a new visa?

    • If you change schools before you make your first trip to the United States as a student, you will need to get a new visa. However, if you are changing schools after you have started your studies in the United States, you do not need to get a new visa, unless you have been outside of the United States for more than five months. Please be sure to contact your student advisor at the ‘old’ school to transfer your SEVIS registration to the ‘new’ school.  Before traveling to the United States to start a new school, please contact your student advisor to ensure that your SEVIS status is in "initial" or "active" status at the new school.
  • My academic program is starting very soon but there are no more appointments available this month. What should I do?

    My academic program is starting very soon but there are no more appointments available this month. What should I do?

    • Please make an appointment for the earliest available date, even if it is after the date you need to be in the U.S.  At the end of this process you will be able to request an emergency appointment.  You must explain briefly what your emergency is, give your SEVIS number and I20 start date, and give two or three dates that are convenient for you to come in for the interview.
  • It is three days before the start date on my I-20 and my visa is still being processed. What should I do?

    It is three days before the start date on my I-20 and my visa is still being processed. What should I do?

    • Please contact your school and request an extension letter or a new I-20.  Inform them that your visa is still being processed.  When you receive your extension letter or new I-20, please send a copy to the Embassy immediately.  Please remember, visa processing cannot be expedited.
  • I am already in the United States studying but my spouse would like to apply for a visa and join me here. What does she need to bring to the interview?

    I am already in the United States studying but my spouse would like to apply for a visa and join me here. What does she need to bring to the interview?

    • In addition to the standard required documents, your spouse should bring an I-20 (for dependents), a copy of your F-1 student visa and a copy of your marriage certificate.
  • I am an unmarried female student going to study in the United States. Can my father (or my brother) receive a student visa to accompany me to the United States?

    I am an unmarried female student going to study in the United States. Can my father (or my brother) receive a student visa to accompany me to the United States?

    • For F-1 students studying in the United States only children under 21 and spouses qualify for accompanying F-2 status.  Other family members who wish to accompany the student must apply for a Business and Tourism (B1/B2) visa. This means that the family member will not be able to live in the United States for the full term of your F-1 visa, and must exit the country within the time given by the Customs and Border Protection officer. Most visitors on a B1/B2 visa are admitted for six months, after which they must depart or seek an extension from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).
  • How long will the student visa be valid for?

    How long will the student visa be valid for?

    • The visa is valid for five years, but you must remain in status as a fulltime student.
  • Will my student visa still be valid if I do not travel when I originally intended to?

    Will my student visa still be valid if I do not travel when I originally intended to?

    • You must be in the United States by the start date on your I-20 for your visa to be valid.  If it is close enough to your start date you may show a letter of extension from your school at the Port of Entry or a new I-20 with a new start date.  You will need a new visa if the new I-20 has a different SEVIS number, or if you have missed the original start date by more than 4 months.
  • If I want to go earlier than 30 days prior to the start date on my I-20, can I go in on my tourist visa (B1/B2), leave the United States by crossing an international border, then come back into the United States on my student visa?

    If I want to go earlier than 30 days prior to the start date on my I-20, can I go in on my tourist visa (B1/B2), leave the United States by crossing an international border, then come back into the United States on my student visa?

    • Yes.
  • If I transfer to another school or from English Language Study (ELS) to my university, how do I change the visa?

    If I transfer to another school or from English Language Study (ELS) to my university, how do I change the visa?

    • You usually do not need to change the visa.  Make sure you have an updated and correct I-20 and that your designated school officials in both schools keep the SEVIS system updated. You will need a new visa if you have finished your course of study and will have been out of class or outside of the United States for more than five months.
  • My dependent (F-2) is thinking about studying in the United States. Do they need a different visa?

    My dependent (F-2) is thinking about studying in the United States. Do they need a different visa?

    • If they are studying fewer than 18 hours a week, they do not need to change status. If they are studying full time or more than 18 hours, they will need an I-20 and a change of status to F-1 by filing form I-539 with USCIS. This can be done in the United States.  However, if they leave the United States they will need a new visa to re-enter and should apply through standard procedures.
  • Should I still come in for the visa interview if I don't have my I-20 or SEVIS fee receipt?

    Should I still come in for the visa interview if I don't have my I-20 or SEVIS fee receipt?

    • Yes, but doing so is likely to cause delays as it’s harder to conduct the visa interview without the I-20/SEVIS fee receipt.  Both are necessary for the visa to be issued.  Be prepared to answer questions about possible schools you'd like to attend and what your long term educational plans are.  Once you obtain your I-20 and SEVIS fee receipt, send them in as soon as possible the visa cannot be printed without them.
  • I want to switch schools. What should I do?

    I want to switch schools. What should I do?

    • Before the interview: either bring in the I-20 for your new school, or inform the consular officer about the change during the interview.

      After the interview: If the visa is not printed, inform the consular office and send the I-20 to us. If the visa is printed: check the SEVIS number. If it is the same, you do not need a new visa. If the SEVIS number is different, you will need a new visa and must reapply.
  • My wife and son are going with me. Will they have to pay the SEVIS fee too?

    My wife and son are going with me. Will they have to pay the SEVIS fee too?

    • No, but they do need their own I-20 showing dependent status so they can get F-2 visas.  Contact your school for this.
  • I am a KASP Scholar. Do I have to bring in a financial guarantee, or do you already have my name and number on a list?

    I am a KASP Scholar. Do I have to bring in a financial guarantee, or do you already have my name and number on a list?

    • The Consular Section does receive a list of names from the Ministry of Higher Education. However if you have your ID card or KASP number, please bring it with you to the interview.  This is very helpful in finding your name on the list.