F-1 Visa Renewal: Process

There are two ways to renew an F-1 visa: in-person interview and mail-in application. This article explains the application process and important considerations for each approach.

In-Person Interview

The process for renewing an F-1 visa is the same as for the initial application. It is important to ensure that the information on your new DS-160 matches that on your previous DS-160.

Mail-In Application (Process may vary by country)

Eligible Applicants

To qualify for this option, you must:

• Have previously held a U.S. visa and traveled to the U.S.

• Be physically present in your home country.

• Be continuing your studies at the same school and in the same program as specified on your previous F-1 visa.

• Have a visa that expired within the last 12 months.

• Have been 14 or older when the original visa was issued, and have had your fingerprints taken.

• Have been granted the maximum validity period for your visa under the reciprocity schedule (5 years for F-1 visas).

Application Materials

• Passport (must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay in the U.S.)

• DS-160 confirmation page

• Previous visa page

• Visa photo

• Signed interview waiver confirmation letter

• All previous and current I-20s

• Study plan

• The name and email address of your school advisor or department chair

• Personal statement (including education and work experience)

• Transcripts

• Any additional supporting documents

Application Process

1. Fill out Form DS-160 and print the confirmation page.

2. Schedule an appointment and answer questions. The system will automatically evaluate if you qualify for the interview waiver.

3. If eligible, pay the visa fee and print the interview waiver confirmation letter.

4. Place all required materials in an envelope and mail it to the relevant authority.

5. Choose a location to receive your passport.

6. Keep the submission receipt.

7. The relevant authority will forward your documents to the embassy/consulate.

8. When your documents and passport are ready for pickup, you will receive an email with a tracking number.

Important Notes

• Using the interview waiver service does not guarantee that your visa application will be approved. If the visa officer has any questions about your documents or intends to verify certain information in person, you will still need to go to the embassy/consulate for an interview.

• If your passport containing the original visa has been lost, regardless of whether the visa is still valid, you cannot use the interview waiver service.

• When filling out Form DS-160, you need to select the embassy/consulate based on your location.