Visa Renewal

Do I need a valid visa to stay in the U.S.?

  • A valid F-1/J-1 visa is only required for ENTRY into the U.S.
  • You may remain in the U.S. after your visa expires if:
    • Your F-1/J-1 status is valid, and
    • Your Form I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1) is active.
  • You will need a valid visa stamp in your passport if you travel abroad and want to re-enter the U.S. (except Canadian citizens).

Where can I renew my visa?

  • In your home country or country of residence: U.S. Embassies & Consulates – U.S. Department of State
  • As of September 2025, U.S. policy requires F-1 and J-1 students to schedule visa renewal appointments at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of citizenship or legal residence.
  • U.S. Visa stamps are issued only by U.S. Embassies or Consulates abroad, NOT inside the U.S.
  • Renewal in a third country (outside your home or residence) is generally not allowed, except in rare emergency situations.

How to apply for visa renewal

  1. Complete the DS-160 visa application form. 
  2. Pay the visa application (MRV) fee
  3. SEVIS Fee I-901 fmjfee.com 
    • Most continuing students do NOT need to pay again if your SEVIS record/ID is the same.
    • You must pay again only if:
  • You start a new academic program with a new SEVIS record, OR
  • You transfer to a new SEVIS record, OR
  • You have been outside the U.S. for more than 5 months and your SEVIS record was closed. 
  1. Schedule a visa interview in the U.S. Embassy/Consulate in your home country or residence: Global Visa Wait Times. 
  2. Prepare and bring required documents:
    • Valid passport
    • I-20 or DS-2019 (recently signed for travel)
    • Financial evidence
    • Any other required documents, as specified by the embassy or consulates
  3. Attend your visa interview. Processing times vary, so plan ahead.

Automatic Revalidation (Special Case)

In limited situations, students may be able to re-enter the U.S. with an expired visa through a process called Automatic Revalidation. This applies only if your travel is 30 days or less to Canada, Mexico, or adjacent islands (excluding Cuba), you have a valid I-94 record, and you maintain valid F-1 or J-1 status. You cannot apply for a new visa during this trip. Before making travel plans, please schedule an appointment with an ISS advisor to review your eligibility and discuss potential risks: www.hawaii.edu/issmanoa   

Things to keep in mind

    1. Administrative Processing: Security/background checks can delay visa issuance with no set timeline.
      Administrative Processing – travel.state.gov
    2. Social Media Vetting: As part of the screening process, consular officers may review your public social media profiles. Honesty and consistency across your application and your online presence are critical.
      1. What They Look For: Consulate officers are generally verifying the information you provided on your application (e.g., your background, activities, and identity). They are also screening for any potential security risks or information that contradicts your stated purpose for entering the U.S.
      2. What You Provided: On the DS-160 visa application form, you are required to list the social media handles you have used in the past five years. It is crucial to be truthful and complete on this question. Hiding or omitting information can be considered misrepresentation.
  • Actionable Advice:
      1. Review Your Public Profiles: Look at your social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.) from the perspective of a stranger. What is visible to the public?
      2. Ensure Consistency: Make sure your public information does not contradict the details in your visa application (e.g., employment history on LinkedIn, your stated field of study).
      3. Be Mindful of Content: While your personal expression is your own, be aware that posts, images, likes, or shares related to illegal activities, violence, or extremist views could be misinterpreted and negatively impact your case.
      4. Do Not Delete Accounts: Suddenly deleting your social media accounts before an interview can be viewed as a red flag. The best approach is transparency.
  2. Passport Hold: Your passport will be kept by the U.S. Embassy/Consulate during processing.
  3. Travel Risks: It is strongly recommended that you do not book non-refundable travel (flights, hotels, etc.) until your new visa is approved and your passport is physically back in your possession.
  4. Similarly, be cautious about confirming inflexible start dates for jobs, internships, or other commitments, as a visa delay could impact your ability to begin on time.

ISS Recommendations

Updated September 2025. Always check official U.S. government websites for the most up-to-date information: U.S. Embassies & Consulates – U.S. Department of State