₦airaland Forum

arama2022:
Hi, thank you for responding. I would like to re-enroll and continue my studies and I also don't want to be stuck in the US unable to travel while I am studying. My interview in Dominican Republic is in April, do I wait a bit longer (May/June) to renew since it's closer to resumption date.

biikeys:
Not the best time to renew after graduation. The question will be why do you need a visa since you already graduated right? Better to look at H1b/EB GC of if you want, you re-enroll afresh for a Masters or PhD and then go get a renewal.

JohnZak:
Hi,
First off, I do not think this is a good idea to start renewing your visa while on OPT, especially as you are renewing in January 24 for enrollment in Fall 24. I think you are risking a lot by doing this. Have you been admitted for Fall 24 enrollment for a new school or program? If you have, your I20 will ensure that you remain in status so this should not be an issue. Obviously if you have not been admitted or enrolled, you can't renew. I only renewed when it was absolutely necessary for me to travel because sometimes you can never tell what kind of day a VO is having. My advice is to avoid renewing now and wait until after you have completed OPT and have your new 120. If you renew and the VO annotates your visa for a start date in the Fall 24, you may not be able to come back to the US until 30 days before resumption even with your OPT. Your OPT is work authorization and not a visa. Again, if you have to renew, I suggest that you wait until the Fall semester is just about to commence before doing so.

I renewed some years ago in Canada and Mexico when I was a student so things may have changed now. Then there was not a long wait. I got a date pretty quickly. The interview was pretty straightforward. On all occasions, they just collected my I20 and asked what I was studying and that was it. One time, one VO was from the same state that I was studying in and just asked about how I liked the state, the football team etc. It was more of a social conversation. They never even asked about proof of funding, transcripts, enrollment verification etc. even though I had all that. Personally, I think the risk of rejection is low. As long as you have not fallen out of status or have a criminal record here in the U.S. I think you will be fine. My friend had a DUI and he had trouble renewing but he eventually came back after missing one semester.

Prinxly:
I renewed while I was a student a few years ago so some things may have changed. However, if you plan on renewing in Canada and you have a Nigerian passport (or a passport that requires a Canadian visa for travel), you must start by getting a Canadian visitor visa. This is an easy process. At the time I did it, I completed the form online, paid the Canadian visa fee, and submitted some documents including my bank statement, passport photos, purpose of my visit (i.e. renew my student visa), and a copy of the appointment letter from the US embassy. I was a student on the three occasions that I applied and had between $2500–$3500 in my account. They reviewed my documents and asked me to send my passport along with a return envelope to the Canadian VAC in NY. I believe the location of the VAC depends on your state. The Canadian visa lasts for the entire duration of your passport validity so you can always go to Canada again for a vacation if you want.
The website below has information on how to apply for a US visa in Canada. Make sure to scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on apply

https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ca/niv

Select the consulate where you want to apply it. I was pressed for time whenever I applied so I just applied to the consulate with the earliest availability – twice in Ottawa, once in Toronto, and once in Halifax. Someone said that Halifax discontinued student visa application but confirm this when you apply. Ottawa, Toronto, and Vancouver definitely do though.

I found the visa process to be smooth and easy, unlike my experience in Nigeria. The Consular Officers are more polite, light-hearted, and willing to even joke with you and ask you about your course and career trajectory study. However, it is still an interview so be prepared. I went with my form I20, academic transcripts, bank statements, pay stubs for GA/RA, scholarship letters showing funding, enrollment verification letter obtained from my university, student ID, letter from my program director, and driver’s license. Despite all the documents that I went with, they only asked for my form I20 on all the occasions and the interviews were brief. In my opinion, most U.S. residents get their visas renewed, however be prepared. Typically, the rejections I observed were from non-Canadians in Canada who wanted to visit the US. Except things have changed, they will mail your passport to you at an address that you provide when you applied. You also have the option to ask DHL to hold your passport for pickup. I always used the latter option because it was more convenient for me. The entire process takes about 3–4 days whether in Canada or Mexico. I would fly in on Sunday evening, visit the embassy on Monday morning and would get an email from the Consulate on Tuesday afternoon that passport is ready for pickup. DHL would then tell me to come pick it up on Wednesday or Thursday. I would then fly back to the US on Thursday evening.

It also goes without saying that if you have ever been arrested or convicted, make sure to go with the final Court disposition. Some people say if you have ever had a ticket, go with proof that you paid it. I believe you can get these records at the Court.

I renewed once in Mexico. I did not require a visa to Mexico because folks on certain visas (F1, J1, H1, LI etc) could go to Mexico with an unexpired US visa. If you want to go the Mexico route, make sure you go before your visa expires, not after. The process is like Canada. I had my interview at US consulate in Tijuana. I was in San Diego at the time so it was convenient for me.
The website below has information on how to apply for a US visa in Mexico. Make sure to scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on apply

https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-mx/niv

Although the chances of a renewal are high and the Consular Officers appear nice (definitely way nicer than in Nigeria), this is still an interview so be prepared. If your visa is unfortunately not approved, you can’t’ come back to the US. Finally, I would suggest Canada as an option because of language and safety concerns in Mexico.
Hope this information helps and good luck.

MizAlero:
Good day,
Please I need information in terms of renewing my F1 via. It expires in June. Do I return to Nigeria for renewal or try neighboring countries like Canada or Dominican Republic for renewal? What can I expect if renewing from either of these two countries?

Any information will be very much appreciated. Thanks

Taal17:
Hello JohnZak, thank you for the insightful information. I have a couple of questions. Do I have to be currently enrolled in a school for me to renew my F1visa? I graduated last year and on OPT. I intend to start a new semester in fall. Is there a long queue before getting an interview date and what could be grounds for refusal? Need to say, I already have my canadian visit visa.

JohnZak:
Hi KeniOaks,

Hello JohnZak, thank you for the insightful information. I have a couple of questions. Do I have to be currently enrolled in a school for me to renew my F1visa? I graduated last year and on OPT. I intend to start a new semester in fall. Is there a long queue before getting an interview date and what could be grounds for refusal? Need to say, I already have my canadian visit visa.

I renewed while I was a student a few years ago so some things may have changed. However, if you plan on renewing in Canada and you have a Nigerian passport (or a passport that requires a Canadian visa for travel), you must start by getting a Canadian visitor visa. This is an easy process. At the time I did it, I completed the form online, paid the Canadian visa fee, and submitted some documents including my bank statement, passport photos, purpose of my visit (i.e. renew my student visa), and a copy of the appointment letter from the US embassy. I was a student on the three occasions that I applied and had between $2500–$3500 in my account. They reviewed my documents and asked me to send my passport along with a return envelope to the Canadian VAC in NY. I believe the location of the VAC depends on your state. The Canadian visa lasts for the entire duration of your passport validity so you can always go to Canada again for a vacation if you want.
The website below has information on how to apply for a US visa in Canada. Make sure to scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on apply

https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ca/niv

Select the consulate where you want to apply it. I was pressed for time whenever I applied so I just applied to the consulate with the earliest availability – twice in Ottawa, once in Toronto, and once in Halifax. Someone said that Halifax discontinued student visa application but confirm this when you apply. Ottawa, Toronto, and Vancouver definitely do though.

I found the visa process to be smooth and easy, unlike my experience in Nigeria. The Consular Officers are more polite, light-hearted, and willing to even joke with you and ask you about your course and career trajectory study. However, it is still an interview so be prepared. I went with my form I20, academic transcripts, bank statements, pay stubs for GA/RA, scholarship letters showing funding, enrollment verification letter obtained from my university, student ID, letter from my program director, and driver’s license. Despite all the documents that I went with, they only asked for my form I20 on all the occasions and the interviews were brief. In my opinion, most U.S. residents get their visas renewed, however be prepared. Typically, the rejections I observed were from non-Canadians in Canada who wanted to visit the US. Except things have changed, they will mail your passport to you at an address that you provide when you applied. You also have the option to ask DHL to hold your passport for pickup. I always used the latter option because it was more convenient for me. The entire process takes about 3–4 days whether in Canada or Mexico. I would fly in on Sunday evening, visit the embassy on Monday morning and would get an email from the Consulate on Tuesday afternoon that passport is ready for pickup. DHL would then tell me to come pick it up on Wednesday or Thursday. I would then fly back to the US on Thursday evening.

It also goes without saying that if you have ever been arrested or convicted, make sure to go with the final Court disposition. Some people say if you have ever had a ticket, go with proof that you paid it. I believe you can get these records at the Court.

I renewed once in Mexico. I did not require a visa to Mexico because folks on certain visas (F1, J1, H1, LI etc) could go to Mexico with an unexpired US visa. If you want to go the Mexico route, make sure you go before your visa expires, not after. The process is like Canada. I had my interview at US consulate in Tijuana. I was in San Diego at the time so it was convenient for me.
The website below has information on how to apply for a US visa in Mexico. Make sure to scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on apply

https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-mx/niv

Although the chances of a renewal are high and the Consular Officers appear nice (definitely way nicer than in Nigeria), this is still an interview so be prepared. If your visa is unfortunately not approved, you can’t’ come back to the US. Finally, I would suggest Canada as an option because of language and safety concerns in Mexico.
Hope this information helps and good luck. Sorry for the long-winded response!