Visa Renewal
If your F-1 or J-1 visa has expired, or if your visa has been damaged or mutilated, you must apply for a new visa before you return to the United States. Visa applications may take up to several months to process; you should contact the U.S. embassy or consular office where you intend to apply to ask about processing time and application requirements. A list of embassies and consular offices is available on the Department of State travel website.
About the Visa Renewal Process
A visa interview appointment at the U.S. embassy or consulate is usually required to renew your visa. In general, you will need the following documents to renew your visa:
- Passport valid for the next 6 months
- Form I-20 signed by an advisor at ISSS for travel within the last 9 months, or Form DS-2019 signed by your program sponsor within the last 6 months
- Documents proving ties to your home country (e.g. ownership of property, investments, inheritance, or a job to return to after completion of study)
- Documents proving financial support for the next 12 months
- Transcripts showing full-time enrollment every term of the academic year (and less than full-time approval forms, if any)
- Notarized copy of diplomas earned, if any
If your F-1 or J-1 visa is valid but punctured, crossed out, damaged or mutilated in any way, you may be required to obtain a renewal of your visa.
