I was issued an F-1 visa to attend a master’s programme at West Virginia University. Now, I have an offer from the University of Cincinnati. The master’s program at West Virginia University begins in the summer while the one at the University of Cincinnati begins in the fall. Can I change my F1 visa from WVU to UC? What procedure should I follow?
Students are required to apply for a new visa if there is a change in their SEVIS number. Visit www.ustraveldocs.com/in for more information.
I am currently in the U.S. on a J-1 visa which is valid until 2016. Although the visa stamped on my passport recently expired, I maintain a lawful J-1 status. I plan to apply for a waiver of the two-year home residency requirement with a no objection letter from my home country later this year. I plan to visit India next year. If I happen to get a waiver before my visit to India, can I still renew my current J-1 visa in India for the same programme and institution in which I am currently enrolled? Could you please give me details on this restriction?
As long as you do not leave the U.S. and your SEVIS is in status, you can continue without renewing your visa. Once you depart the U.S., you will need to set up another interview to determine whether you qualify for a renewal. If the residency requirement is for the J-1 programme you are currently involved with, it will have no bearing on a visa application for return to that same programme.
Please note: a no objection letter from your home country is one part of the waiver application process, but it does not constitute a waiver of the two-year requirement. Please visit www.ustraveldocs.com/in for information on scheduling an appointment for a visa interview.
I finished my master’s degree in the U.S. and obtained a H1B through my employer in 2008. Since I had to change my visa status from F1 to H1B, I came back to India for visa stamping. However, I did not go to the U.S. after getting my visa stamped. Can I go to the U.S. on my approved H1 visa? Do I fall into the cap-exempt category? Can a company file for a cap-exempt petition?
As long as neither the visa nor the petition has expired, you can travel on your current visa. If either has expired, or you no longer work for the company in the U.S., it is not a valid visa for entering the U.S. For information on cap-exempt petitions, visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website www.uscis.gov or contact the USCIS unit at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi at cis.ndi@uscis.dhs.gov .
I intend to attend my son’s graduation ceremony at Southern Illinois University. I have an invitation letter from the University. Earlier I was rejected a visitor’s visa in 2012. Would that hamper my chances of obtaining a visa if I apply now?
All non-immigrant visa applications are given every possible consideration consistent with U.S. immigration law. There is never a guarantee that any applicant will have his/her visa application approved. Individuals whose nonimmigrant visa applications were refused are eligible to reapply. We do not recommend that applicants reapply, however, unless they are able to present significant new evidence that addresses the previous grounds for refusal.
I would like to finish my high school (eleventh and twelfth grades) in the U.S. Can I attend a private high school in the U.S. by obtaining an F1 visa?
If the private high school in the U.S. has authority to issue I-20 forms for foreign students and they furnish you the I-20 showing your admittance to the school, you may apply for a student visa. For information on requirements for a student visa, please visit www.ustraveldocs.com/in .
I have no last name on my passport and educational certificates. So I requested the university to which I am admitted in the U.S. to issue my I-20 with FNU as my first name and the rest as my last name. But they issued an I-20 splitting the two words in my name - one as my last name and the other as my surname. The university advised me to get a notification done in my passport, but such a service is unavailable. I am advised to explain my situation to the visa officer during my visa interview. Will it be a problem?
You will not have a problem due to your name format in your passport as long as it is clear that your passport and I-20 are referring to the same person.
NOTE: The best place to find answers to your visa and general consular questions is on our official website at http://hyderabad.usconsulate.gov.
In this column, we do not normally respond to or comment on questions relating to specific visa cases or refusals. We will, however, answer general questions about visas and items of general interest.
If you have specific visa case questions, please contact support-india@
ustraveldocs.com
