- International Students & Scholars
Valid Visa and Visa Renewal
The student visa in your passport is a travel document that permits you to request entry to the U.S. It must be valid at the time of entry.
Remaining in the U.S. with an Expired Visa
- Once you have arrived in the U.S., the visa in your passport does not need to remain valid.
- You may remain in the U.S. with an expired visa as long as your I-20/DS-2019 (EAD if on post-degree OPT) remains active and you have not violated the terms of your status. The visa is a travel document only, needed for entering the U.S.
- If your visa expires while you are inside of the U.S., you must renew it when you leave the country to be allowed to re-enter.
Visa Renewal
In most cases, applying for a new F-1 or J-1 visa must occur outside of the U.S. Please review the instructions provided by the U.S. Department of State.
Remaining in the U.S. with an Expired Visa
- Once you have arrived in the U.S., the visa in your passport does not need to remain valid.
- You may remain in the U.S. with an expired visa as long as your I-20/DS-2019 (EAD if on post-degree OPT) remains active and you have not violated the terms of your status. The visa is a travel document only, needed for entering the U.S.
- If your visa expires while you are inside of the U.S., you must renew it when you leave the country to be allowed to re-enter.
Visa Renewal
In most cases, applying for a new F-1 or J-1 visa must occur outside of the U.S. Please review the instructions provided by the U.S. Department of State.
The Pennsylvania State University 2023
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