ur status has changed, so u need to apply/get visa.

V2001 · Feb 18, 2010 6:57 PM

I have also same situation and I am same phase....still confused...

chiya_tea · Feb 18, 2010 7:03 PM

This is what i found in Murthy.com It might help you guys a lit bit. Client:   I am currently on H1B and going to transfer to F1 visa. just wanted to know if my transfer gets approved from USCIS, is it necessary for me to leave the country for stamping or I can still live on F1 status without stamping. I would really appreciate if somebody could help me with this. Attorney:   you do not need a valid visa to be in valid status in the U.S. In addition, if you travel to Canada or Mexico, you may be eligible for automatic visa revalidation so long as you had a valid nonimmigrant visa when you initially entered the U.S., has maintained your status, was absent from the U.S. for 30 days or less, has a valid passport, and is admissible otherwise. In that case your visa would be extended and converted to the new category for which you had your change-of-status application approved. However, when you travel to other countries, you would still need to apply for a new visa to re-enter the U.S. Regards.

nissan2006 · Feb 18, 2010 7:45 PM

Still dint get the answer from the someone who actually did the way I needed. I know many who went to f1 from H1 but dont know whether they went back to nepal and come back or not?  If they did, did they apply for new visa or used the old one?

gc1488 · Feb 19, 2010 12:08 PM

I've seen 2 options though i'm not a lawyer, so do some more research. Either u need to change your status from H1B to F1 here inside, or Leave US and come back fresh with new F1 visa (new I-20). The old one doesn't exists any more since it already got changed to H1B. You need to leave the country within 60 days. And make sure you will not be in the status next day you leave your job so got to be careful, and should talk to the employer about the scenario just to bridge the gap. Regards.

nissan2006 · Feb 19, 2010 12:24 PM