Alex251 Posted June 8, 2011 Posted June 8, 2011 Hi there Does someone know how much it will cost me to renew my F1 visa for one year? I have already paid almost $400 for the Optical Practical Training file and I was wondering if I would have to pay even more for other stuff (F1 renewal or SEVIS). I'd be grateful if some experienced Gradcafé user could share the info! Thanx
eklavya Posted June 8, 2011 Posted June 8, 2011 Hi there Does someone know how much it will cost me to renew my F1 visa for one year? I have already paid almost $400 for the Optical Practical Training file and I was wondering if I would have to pay even more for other stuff (F1 renewal or SEVIS). I'd be grateful if some experienced Gradcafé user could share the info! Thanx First of all, there's no such thing as 'renewal' for F1 visa. You need to reapply if you want a visa that doesn't immediately expire. The cost is about the same as getting a new visa, because in essence, you are getting a new visa. I paid 140$ (pre-) + 200$ (post-visa) last month to get mine. They stamped a new visa which won't expire till 2016. You don't have to pay for SEVIS while getting a new visa.. even when you move schools, the SEVIS gets transferred, so no need to get a new one. But why do you need a new visa? If you are in the OPT, I believe you can stay in the States till your OPT termination date. However, if you are traveling abroad, and your visa has expired, you will have to get a new one before you can return to the States.
Alex251 Posted June 9, 2011 Author Posted June 9, 2011 But why do you need a new visa? If you are in the OPT, I believe you can stay in the States till your OPT termination date. However, if you are traveling abroad, and your visa has expired, you will have to get a new one before you can return to the States. That's precisely my problem:I'd like to travel but my F1 has just expired, so I'm legal in the US, but I can't come back if I go abroad. Thanks a lot for your very clear answer!
Strangefox Posted June 9, 2011 Posted June 9, 2011 I paid 140$ (pre-) + 200$ (post-visa) last month to get mine. They stamped a new visa which won't expire till 2016. You don't have to pay for SEVIS while getting a new visa.. even when you move schools, the SEVIS gets transferred, so no need to get a new one. And what is this post-visa payment?
eklavya Posted June 9, 2011 Posted June 9, 2011 And what is this post-visa payment? The US embassy makes you pay 140$ just for scheduling a visa interview date. Whether you get a visa or not, that 140$ is going bye bye. If you get a visa, they charge you 200$ more, which is the actual visa processing fee. So, if you get a visa, you pay 340$ in total. If not, you pay 140 each time you appear for a visa interview (i.e. till you get a visa). And I think they charge the same amount worldwide.
Strangefox Posted June 9, 2011 Posted June 9, 2011 The US embassy makes you pay 140$ just for scheduling a visa interview date. Whether you get a visa or not, that 140$ is going bye bye. If you get a visa, they charge you 200$ more, which is the actual visa processing fee. So, if you get a visa, you pay 340$ in total. If not, you pay 140 each time you appear for a visa interview (i.e. till you get a visa). And I think they charge the same amount worldwide. Straaange... I have never heard about that. As far as I know, I paid $140 + SEVIS ($200) and that will be all! But we'll see what they'll tell me at the interview... But I've read all info about getting F-1 on the website of my city's embassy and it says nothing about post-visa $200. Has anyone also paid $200 post-visa?? $140 pre-visa + $200 post-visa + $200 SEVIS = Strangefox is broke!!!
eklavya Posted June 9, 2011 Posted June 9, 2011 $140 pre-visa + $200 post-visa + $200 SEVIS the amount of money also depends on your country. there is a visa reciprocity clause that the US government has with other countries, and this determines how much you will be charged. for example, most of the EU countries and Canada aren't charged anything at all.. except the SEVIS fee. perhaps what you paid is enough already and they won't charge you more.
Strangefox Posted June 9, 2011 Posted June 9, 2011 perhaps what you paid is enough already and they won't charge you more. I hope!
newms Posted June 9, 2011 Posted June 9, 2011 Straaange... I have never heard about that. As far as I know, I paid $140 + SEVIS ($200) and that will be all! But we'll see what they'll tell me at the interview... But I've read all info about getting F-1 on the website of my city's embassy and it says nothing about post-visa $200. Hey Strangefox, that's what I paid as well - $140 + SEVIS ($200).
Alex251 Posted June 9, 2011 Author Posted June 9, 2011 I inquired a bit further on the topic and indeed it seems that $140 would be all I would have to pay to get a new F1. (I am from the EU). No mention of additional fees if my SEVIS gets transferred. Sorry for those who have to pay more...
Bukharan Posted June 9, 2011 Posted June 9, 2011 Due to my citizenship/residency status, I researched the procedure of getting the US visa in two different EU countries. I haven't heard of the post-visa fee of $200 either. Just $140 and the SEVIS fee.
newms Posted June 9, 2011 Posted June 9, 2011 Straaange... I have never heard about that. As far as I know, I paid $140 + SEVIS ($200) and that will be all! But we'll see what they'll tell me at the interview... But I've read all info about getting F-1 on the website of my city's embassy and it says nothing about post-visa $200. Has anyone also paid $200 post-visa?? $140 pre-visa + $200 post-visa + $200 SEVIS = Strangefox is broke!!! Hey Strangefox, I looked up the $200 reciprocity fee and it's applicable only to some countries as bhikhaari says. You can check for your country here: http://travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_3272.html
eklavya Posted June 9, 2011 Posted June 9, 2011 Hey Strangefox, I looked up the $200 reciprocity fee and it's applicable only to some countries as bhikhaari says. You can check for your country here: http://travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_3272.html exactly. 5 years ago, when i paid for the SEVIS, they charged me 100$ for the SEVIS. then the 140 + 200 for F1. this time, it was 140 + 200. but looks like the SEVIS fee has gone up, as you guys are paying 200.
Strangefox Posted June 9, 2011 Posted June 9, 2011 Hey Strangefox, I looked up the $200 reciprocity fee and it's applicable only to some countries as bhikhaari says. You can check for your country here: http://travel.state..../fees_3272.html Thanks! It seems I won't have to pay extra $200!
Strangefox Posted June 10, 2011 Posted June 10, 2011 Ok, now that I know that I will get visa I have started wondeing if I will have to get a new one when I come home next summer. I know that I need to wait just a couple of days to see if my F-1 will be for 1 year or longer! But I am impatient So Bhikhaari, you are saying that they gave you a new F-1 for 5 years! And the first one? For what period was it? I used the link that Newms had given in this thread (http://travel.state..../fees_3272.html) and for my country it says that the validity period is 12 months... So it means that I will have to get a new visa each year??? For five years??? (I am planning to go home each summer.)
eklavya Posted June 10, 2011 Posted June 10, 2011 (edited) Ok, now that I know that I will get visa I have started wondeing if I will have to get a new one when I come home next summer. I know that I need to wait just a couple of days to see if my F-1 will be for 1 year or longer! But I am impatient So Bhikhaari, you are saying that they gave you a new F-1 for 5 years! And the first one? For what period was it? I used the link that Newms had given in this thread (http://travel.state..../fees_3272.html) and for my country it says that the validity period is 12 months... So it means that I will have to get a new visa each year??? For five years??? (I am planning to go home each summer.) From what I have heard, they generally give out F1 visas for a period of 5 years. But I don't know a whole lot about immigration laws between US & other countries (except mine, of course), so please dig around. When I got my first F1 visa 5 years ago, the expiration date was some day on the first week of June 2011 (I received that visa in June 2006). I hadn't seen my family in a while, so I went home in May this year and got a new one that won't expire till May 2016.. so again, they gave me a new visa that will last for 5 years. My previous visa as well as the current one allows me to travel multiple times without having to get a new visa, as long as the visa duration has not expired and I have a valid I20. On the travel.gov link, the duration of visa is listed '60 months' when I open my country's page. So if it says 12 months in your case, it could be possible that you will have to get a new visa after a year. You will have to wait it out till you receive your visa and see what it says on the visa stamp regarding the expiration date. But I really hope you get it for 5 years too!! Edited June 10, 2011 by bhikhaari
Strangefox Posted June 10, 2011 Posted June 10, 2011 On the travel.gov link, the duration of visa is listed '60 months' when I open my country's page. So if it says 12 months in your case, it could be possible that you will have to get a new visa after a year. You will have to wait it out till you receive your visa and see what it says on the visa stamp regarding the expiration date. But I really hope you get it for 5 years too!! I hope too! But being realistic I think it will be only for one year... Oh, well, it would be better if I paid extra $200 dollars but got the visa for 5 years intead of only one... But of course it's not something to be really worried about I got the visa!! I am coming to the US!!! Yay!!!
newms Posted June 10, 2011 Posted June 10, 2011 I hope too! But being realistic I think it will be only for one year... Oh, well, it would be better if I paid extra $200 dollars but got the visa for 5 years intead of only one... But of course it's not something to be really worried about I got the visa!! I am coming to the US!!! Yay!!! Congrats Strangefox! Hope they give you 5 years. My visa was approved too, and it went pretty much like everyone has been saying here.
Strangefox Posted June 10, 2011 Posted June 10, 2011 Congrats Strangefox! Hope they give you 5 years. My visa was approved too, and it went pretty much like everyone has been saying here. Thanks and congrats to you, too!
Alex251 Posted June 10, 2011 Author Posted June 10, 2011 As bhikhaari said, they usually give 5-year visa. There is no reason they would give you a shorter visa, unless your program is shorter or there is a particular problem with your country. Good luck! Bukharan 1
Strangefox Posted June 10, 2011 Posted June 10, 2011 As bhikhaari said, they usually give 5-year visa. There is no reason they would give you a shorter visa, unless your program is shorter or there is a particular problem with your country. Good luck! Ok, we'll see I will let you all know
Strangefox Posted June 15, 2011 Posted June 15, 2011 So as I've thought they gave me F-1 for one year only. Could be better... but certainly not a tragedy
eklavya Posted June 15, 2011 Posted June 15, 2011 So as I've thought they gave me F-1 for one year only. Could be better... but certainly not a tragedy kinda sucks, but as you said, not bad. there are people out there who are denied the visa. so, congratulations!
Strangefox Posted June 15, 2011 Posted June 15, 2011 kinda sucks, but as you said, not bad. there are people out there who are denied the visa. so, congratulations! Thanks
newms Posted June 15, 2011 Posted June 15, 2011 So as I've thought they gave me F-1 for one year only. Could be better... but certainly not a tragedy Definitely not a tragedy, but an inconvenience for sure. Will you be able to renew it next year from the US or will you have to return home to do so?
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