Visa Renewal

If you will be traveling outside the U.S. and plan to return to your program at Emory, take a look to see if your visa needs to be renewed. If your visa has expired, you will need to apply for a visa renewal outside the U.S. at a U.S. Consulate. Keep in mind that you are not required to exit just because your visa is expired. The visa stamp does not determine how long you may stay in the U.S. If it expires while you are here in the U.S., you can check your I-94 card and most recently issued immigration document (the Form DS-2019; the I-797 Approval Notice; or the Form I-20 and if applicable, Employment Authorization Document for F-1 Post-completion Optional Practical Training) to help determine if you have time remaining in the U.S. As long as your immigration document has not expired and you are otherwise maintaining your immigration status, you are safe to continue your program and remain in the U.S. But if you need to travel outside the U.S. and plan to return to your program after the expiration date on your visa stamp, you will need to plan on getting a visa renewal to do so.

You may read the details of visa renewal requirements on the following State Department website. http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1268.html

Check with the embassy or consulate where you plan to apply for your visa for instruction. The precise documentation requirements and procedures vary from consulate to consulate. At minimum, all applicants applying for renewals must submit:

• A passport valid for at least six months;
• An application Form DS-156, together with a Form DS-158. Both forms must be completed and signed. Some applicants will also be required to complete and sign Form DS-157. Blank forms are available without charge at all U.S. consular offices and on the Visa Services website under Visa Applications Forms;
• A receipt for visa processing fee. A receipt showing payment of the visa application fee for each applicant, including each child listed in a parent’s passport who is also applying for a U.S. visa, is needed;
• For F-1 and J-1 status holders, may need to show proof of SEVIS fee payment;
• Current and previously issued immigration documents: The Form DS-2019 with travel endorsement no older than 6 months at time of re-entry to U.S.; the I-797 Approval Notice; or the Form I-20 with recent travel endorsement, and if applicable, Employment Authorization Document for F-1 Post-completion Optional Practical Training.

Student applicants applying for renewals should also be prepared to submit:

• A certified copy of your grades (transcripts) from the school in which you are enrolled;
• Financial documents from you or your sponsor, showing your ability to cover the cost of your schooling.

F-1 students on Optional Practical Training should consult with their international student advisor for additional information.

Check the ISSP website for information on traveling outside the U.S. where the issue of visa renewal is discussed:

F-1 Students - http://www.emory.edu/ISSP/students/f1/travel.htm

For more information on obtaining a visa, please visit ISSP’s website at http://www.emory.edu/ISSP/students/prearrival/newsletter/immigration/obtain.html

For information on the Consular Interview, please go to http://www.emory.edu/ISSP/students/prearrival/newsletter/immigration/interview.html

J-1 Exchange Visitors - http://www.emory.edu/ISSP/scholars/j1/travel.htm

H-1B Employees - http://www.emory.edu/ISSP/scholars/h1b/travel.htm

Department of State Visa Services page - http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis