Travelling Back Home to Renew Your F-1 visa.

Disclaimer: This blogpost provides information relating to the United States Customs & Immigration Services (USCIS) and U.S. Department of Homeland Security(DHS). The words and content provided in this blog, and in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as true or absolute. If the reader requires the truth or absolute advice, he/she/they should consult with an appropriately-licensed immigration attorney or in the case of a non-immigrant student – students on F-1(academic) visas of which are the intended audience – with their Designated School Officer (DSO). Do not disregard expert immigration/student services’ advice, or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this blogpost or in any linked materials. The views expressed on this blogpost and website have no relation to those of any academic, political, religious and government institutions or any other institutions with which the author(s) is/are affiliated; all views are ours. Thank you!

For International Students:

1. Contact the Office of Global Learning/International Student services in your school to schedule time with a Designated School Officer (DSO) and inform them of your intentions to renew your F-1 visa in your home country.
2. While discussing with them – via email, phone call or video conferencing- give detailed information of your issue as cases/scenarios vary by student. This will ensure they give you the best advice for your own case. 
3. Once they’ve confirmed that you’re all set to travel to travel home (or to your preferred country), follow this link to begin plans on how renew your visa/schedule a [new] visa appointment – ustraveldocs.com
4. Find the name of your home/preferred country by clicking on the first letter of the country.
5. Click on your home/preferred country. 
6. Choose a visa category (Non-Immigrant visa category for F-1 visas)
7. Click on ‘’How To Apply’’
8. Follow Steps 1-6 to successfully apply for an F-1 visa appointment 
   1. Read the details for each step thoroughly, especially Steps 1-3, to complete your application
   2. Also important to note that once you start filling out the DS-160 form, don’t forget to save or write down your form number. It will usually look like this AA09…..89. A low-key hack though, once you have the form number, even without completing the form, you can start applying for a visa appointment! However, you’d need to have paid the visa application/MRV fee of $160 or so. If in doubt, follow steps in #7 above.
9. Log in to schedule your visa interview or dropbox appointment at portal.ustraveldocs.com (Note: Dropbox appointments are usually only offered to students whose visas have expired not more than 24 months/2 years ago)
10. Again, confirm you have followed all the steps here to ensure a foolproof application.

For International Students from Nigeria:

1. Contact the Office of Global Learning/International Student services in your school  to schedule time with a Designated School Officer (DSO) and inform them of your intentions to renew your F-1 visa in your home country.
2. While discussing with them – via email, phone call or video conferencing- give detailed information of your issue as cases/scenarios vary by student. This will ensure they give you the best advice for your own case. 
3. Once they’ve confirmed that you’re all set to travel home (or to your preferred country), follow this link to begin plans on how renew your visa/schedule a [new] visa appointment – ustraveldocs.com
4. Click on ‘N’ to find our country Nigeria or on the first letter of your preferred country (e.g. C for Canada or M for Mexico, etc.)
5. Click on ‘Nigeria’ or on your preferred country
6. Choose a visa category (Non-Immigrant visa category for F-1 visas)
7. Click on ‘’How To Apply’’
8. Follow Steps 1-6 to successfully apply for an F-1 visa appointment 
   1. Read the details for each step thoroughly, especially Steps 1-3, to complete your application.
   2. Also important to note that once you start filling out the DS-160 form, don’t forget to save or write down your form number. It will usually look like this AA09…..89. A low-key hack though, once you have the form number, even without completing the form, you can start applying for a visa appointment! However, you’d need to have paid the visa application/MRV fee of $160 or so (NGN equivalent amount fluctuates based on FX rates). If in doubt, follow steps in #7 above.
9. Log in to schedule your visa interview or dropbox appointment at portal.ustraveldocs.com (Note: Dropbox appointments are usually only offered to students whose visas have expired not more than 24 months/2 years ago)
10. Again, confirm you have followed all the steps here to ensure a foolproof application.

For International Students studying at Cornell University (including Alumni):

1. Contact the Office of Global Learning/International Student services to schedule time with a Designated School Officer (DSO) to inform them of your intentions to renew your F-1 visa in your home country. Generally, you can contact them here.
2. While discussing with them- via email, phone call or video conferencing- give detailed information of your issue as cases/scenarios vary by student. This will ensure they give you the best advice for your own case. 
3. Once they’ve confirmed that you’re all set to travel home (or to your preferred country), follow this link to begin plans on how renew your visa/schedule a [new] visa appointment  – ustraveldocs.com
4. Find the name of your home/preferred country by clicking on the first letter of the country.
5. Click on your home/preferred country. 
6. Choose a visa category (Non-Immigrant visa category for F-1 visas)
7. Click on ‘’How To Apply’’
8. Follow Steps 1-6 to successfully apply for an F-1 visa appointment 
   1. Read the details for each step thoroughly, especially Steps 1-3, to complete your application
   2. Also important to note that once you start filling out the DS-160 form, don’t forget to save or write down your form number. It will usually look like this AA09…..89. A low-key hack though, once you have the form number, even without completing the form, you can start applying for a visa appointment! However, you’d need to have paid the visa application/MRV fee of $160 or so. If in doubt, follow steps in #7 above.
9. Log in to schedule your visa interview or dropbox appointment at portal.ustraveldocs.com (Note: Dropbox appointments are usually only offered to students whose visas have expired not more than 24 months/2 years ago)
10. Again, confirm you have followed all the steps here to ensure a foolproof application.

Relevant links for Cornell Students or Alumni:

• myStatus – Portal to request updated I-20
• OPT STEM Extension | International Services – To see required steps to take to extend your OPT to OPT-STEM/ apply for a STEM EAD card.
• Schedule Link to contact a DSO

Other relevant links for International Students newly resuming/applying for their student visa(s):

• Education USA – Applying For a Student Visa
• USA F1 Student Visa Application And Interview | Things You Must Know!
• How I Got a Bachelors, Masters, and PhD with NO Student Loans
• The Non-Immigrant Student Podcast