Entry as a Tourist While Holding a F1 Visa
Hello! My situation is kind of weird and I am not sure where to find the answer, I hope you could help me out with this!
I am currently on a F1 visa (expiration date: June 1 2013) I graduated from college in May and was planning to go to grad school. I applied and got accepted. But I recently found I would rather attend U of Denver in the spring, so I am planning to drop out from the accepted college and going back to my country (hong kong) on August 27th to wait for DU.
If things go well, I should get accepted from DU for the spring. But I would really like to come back around october since my american sister is getting married and would like me to be one of the bridesmaid. Is there any possible way I could come back in October even though school may not start until spring? Is it like I will have to change my status to visitor and then change it back to F1? I have no clue.
I appreciate for all your help! Thank you!
Re: Entry as a Tourist While Holding a F1 Visa
Per the State Department,
Quote:
Quoting Validity of Student Visa During a Break in Studies
An individual admitted in F-1 or M-1 status to study in the United States who is transferring between schools or programs is no longer regarded to be in student status if classes are not resumed within five months of the date of transferring out of the previous school or within five months of the date of program completion, whichever is applicable. No formal finding of loss of status needs to be made. In order for that student to restore lawful status, he or she must apply for reinstatement of student status with the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
You appear to be stating that you are returning home, want to visit as a tourist during a seven month break, and then want to reenter as a F1 student for the spring semester. Given that by all appearances your F1 status would lapse anyway, I'm not seeing that your visit as a tourist would have a material impact on your reinstatement of your F1 status when you reenter for school.