If your visa will expire before the date of your return, you must apply for a new visa at a U.S. consulate or embassy while you are out of the U.S.
Please make sure to schedule your visa appointment well in advance (before you depart the U.S. if possible) so that you can plan your dates of travel.
We would advise against leaving the US for a short trip if your F-1 (or J-1) visa or passport has expired if you will not have sufficient time to renew your document before your return.
Renewing your F-1 visa to come to the U.S. to study is a multi-step process. Follow these step-by-step instructions:
Prepare for your visa interview:
- Find a local U.S. embassy or consulate near you and review its website for instructions about getting an F-1 visa.
- Complete the DS-160 application form online and print the confirmation page.
- Schedule your interview.
- Gather all necessary documents.
- SEVIS fee receipt
- DS-160 confirmation page with the barcode
- Current Form I-20 (with recent travel signature)
- Financial documents (bank statements)
- Proof of continued full-time enrollment
- Letter from Emerson College
- Acceptance
- Scholarships
- Deposit Confirmation
- Passport (valid for at least 6 months into the future)
- 2 passport photos
Attend your visa interview:
Be ready to answer questions about your intentions behind studying in the U.S., plans for post-graduation, etc to document your "non-immigrant intent".
In reviewing your DS-160 application for a visa, U.S. Department of State consular officials may conduct a review of your social media history and digital footprint.
If approved for your visa, you will then be able to begin preparing for your travel to or return to the U.S.
For additional information review:
Travel Under “Automatic Visa Revalidation”
In limited circumstances, F-1 and J-1 students and other non-immigrants to the U.S. with an expired U.S. visa may be eligible to reenter the US after a “meaningful entry” to Canada, Mexico or adjacent islands under Automatic Visa Revalidation. Please make sure to read the full details of this provision prior to departing the U.S. You may also wish to discuss your travel plans with an OISA advisor to better understand possible risks.
To be eligible, (1) travel must be solely to Canada, Mexico or adjacent islands and for 30 days or less, (2) the non-immigrant must have a valid (unexpired) Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record, endorsed by DHS, and (3) the traveler cannot apply for a new U.S. visa while in Canada, Mexico or the adjacent islands, and cannot have a pending or denied visa application.
Use of “automatic visa validation” is not available to nationals from certain countries, to students who have traveled to Cuba, or who have traveled to other countries outside of Canada, Mexico or the adjacent islands.
The provision of “automatic visa revalidation” applies to travelers returning to the U.S. after short-term travel. However, travelers seeking entry to Canada, Mexico, or adjacent islands must also make certain they have the necessary permission to enter that country as a visitor, including a visitor’s visa, if required.