F-1 Visa Renewal: Renewal during OPT and CPT

This article discusses how to renew an F-1 visa during OPT and CPT, including the procedures and required materials.

Renewing F-1 Visa During OPT

Generally, it is advisable to renew your visa when there are more than 6 months left on your OPT. If the remaining time on your OPT is short, you may have a higher chance to encounter administrative processing.

Renewal Process

• Before renewal, you need to update your employment information in the SEVP Portal.

• The renewal process is the same as for a regular F-1 visa.

Documents for Interview

• ID card

• Current I-20 (with the school's travel signature and your own signature)

• All previous I-20s

• Passport including your previous F-1 visa (your passport should be valid for at least 6 more months)

• DS-160 confirmation page

• Appointment confirmation letter

• EAD card

• Visa photo

• SSN

• Your resume

• Your supervisor's resume

• Job offer letter

• Job description

• Recent 3 paystubs

• Employment verification letter

• W-2 (if available)

• Copies of undergraduate and master's degree certificates

• Transcripts

• Employer information

Common Interview Questions

• Why do you need to renew your F-1 visa?

• How many years of OPT do you have? Which year are you in now?

• How did you get your job?

• Where do you work?

• What does your company do?

• What is your job position? What are your job responsibilities?

Interview Tips

• Do not demonstrate your intention to stay in the U.S. permanently.

• Emphasize that you have a job that complies with immigration regulations and is related to your field of study.

• Mention that you have a clear work plan and need to return to the U.S. to complete your work.

• Emphasize your ties to your home country (you can mention family/career plans/assets, etc.).

• If asked about your plans after OPT, be honest about the possibility of staying in the U.S. It is common for international students to apply for an H-1B during OPT, so dodging this topic might raise suspicions. However, it is important to make it clear to the visa officer that if you do not secure an H-1B, you will leave the U.S. and will not overstay your visa.

Renewing F-1 Visa During CPT

In general, we do not recommend renewing your F-1 visa during Day 1 CPT, as there might be a risk of receiving administrative processing or a denial. This is because long-term full-time work conflicts with the purpose of an F-1 visa, which may lead visa officers to question intention to study.

For the interview, in addition to the basic materials for F-1 renewal, you should also prepare the following documents:

• Detailed information about your current program, including the school's program structure and specific requirements for internships;

• CPT application materials (such as CPT agreement, offer letter, and evaluation form);

• Documents proving the relevance of your major to your work (such as job description and syllabuses);

• Transcripts showing you have met academic requirements during your studies;

• Next semester's course schedule.

Common Interview Questions

• What university do you attend? Where is it located?

• What is the course structure of your program? What courses does it provide?

• How much do you know about your professors?

• Why did you choose this major? (Make sure your answer aligns with the natural progression of your education)

• Why did you choose this school?

• Why are you using CPT to work while studying? (Emphasize the connection between your coursework and job)

• How many hours do you work per week? What is your salary?

• What company do you work for? What is your position? What are your job duties?

• Where do you live in the U.S.? (Provide a reasonable explanation if you live far from school)

Interview Tips

• Do not get nervous if asked about CPT; using CPT is a legal right for F-1 students.

• The main purpose of F-1 students is to study, so you need to downplay the importance of your work while emphasizing your educational goals.

Q&A

1. Can I renew my visa without an interview?

Yes, you can, but you must qualify for the interview waiver. Processing usually takes 1-2 weeks, but it can take up to a month during busy times. If your documents do not convince the visa officer, you may still be required to attend an interview. If you are short on time, it is best to schedule an interview as soon as possible.

2. Does having CPT on my I-20 lower my chances of visa renewal?

Visa officers know about Day 1 CPT schools and may ask questions regardless of whether CPT is on your I-20. To reduce the risk for denial, you can emphasize that CPT work is merely part of your studies.

3. Can I renew my F-1 if my I-140 is approved?

Yes, but there is about a 50% chance of denial because the I-140 indicates immigrant intent, which conflicts with the non-immigrant nature of F-1 visa. However, a convincing explanation might still get you approved.

4. Does it matter if my school is non-profit or for-profit?

No, it does not matter.

5. Will my F-1 renewal be denied if I won the H-1B lottery during OPT?

If you won the H-1B lottery and submitted the petition to USCIS, your F-1 renewal may be denied. The F-1 is a non-immigrant visa, while the H-1B allows for immigrant intent, which causes a conflict.

One option is to wait for your H-1B approval and then apply for an H-1B visa at a consulate. If you need to travel during the H-1B pending period while your F-1 is expiring, you may consider renewing your F-1 before the H-1B lottery in April. This way, you can use a valid F-1 for travel while your H-1B is being processed.

6. Can I renew my F-1 if I have used up the OPT unemployment days?

No. If you use up the OPT unemployment days, your OPT status will be automatically terminated. You cannot renew your F-1 student visa for that school unless you change to another status before reaching the 90-day unemployment limit.