Question about F-1 Auto Revalidation to Re-enter the US

[help_seeker111]

Hello everyone,

I have a plan to have a short land in Toronto and be back to the US very soon. Just a question about the F1 auto revalidation policy, and my case is quite special so any help or experience shared by you is highly appreciated!

My case:
1) F-1 visa, but expired 5 years ago. Moreover, the expired F1 visa is attached to an expired passport.
2) Valid I20 now, but the name of the university on the I20 is not the same as the one on my old F1. I attended different universities.
3) Cannot print my I94 online anymore because all records cleared after 5 years. Even though the time allows me to stay shown as "D/S", I only have the I94 printed in last year, which has an expired date as May 2019.

Anyone had/heard some insights similar to my case? Or whether you suggest me to have an attempt?

 

[mbaleine]

The best bet would be to ask the international office at your university. Also, have their emergency contact number (for reaching after hours) with you when you re-enter the US (just in case).

 

[help_seeker111]

The best bet would be to ask the international office at your university. Also, have their emergency contact number (for reaching after hours) with you when you re-enter the US (just in case).

The international office staff just says "there could be some risk, but we are not the right person to give you any official interpretations of the policy ......", to be honest, their suggestions are not useful ...... That is why I am looking for some real experience from you all here. Anyway, thank you man!

 

[mbaleine]

Even though the time allows me to stay shown as "D/S", I only have the I94 printed in last year, which has an expired date as May 2019.

This doesn't sound right. Online I-94 does not have an expiration date. If you meant it said "Admit Until Date : May 2019", then I'm afraid you have been out of status and overstaying in the US since May. If that were the case, you most definitely would not be able use auto revalidation, and may even be subject to entry ban due to being out of status for more than a certain amount of time. Your most recent I-94 needs to say "Admit Until Date : D/S". It doesn't matter what your I-94s in the past said; the only one that matters is your most recent I-94.

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1218/~/automatic-revalidation-for-certain-temporary-visitors

CBP clearly states that in order to use auto revalidation one has to be "Non-immigrants with a valid (unexpired) admission stamp or paper from I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, endorsed by Department of Homeland Security (DHS)."

 

[help_seeker111]

This doesn't sound right. Online I-94 does not have an expiration date. If you meant it said "Admit Until Date : May 2019", then I'm afraid you have been out of status and overstaying in the US since May. If that were the case, you most definitely would not be able use auto revalidation, and may even be subject to entry ban due to being out of status for more than a certain amount of time. Your most recent I-94 needs to say "Admit Until Date : D/S". It doesn't matter what your I-94s in the past said; the only one that matters is your most recent I-94.

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1218/~/automatic-revalidation-for-certain-temporary-visitors

CBP clearly states that in order to use auto revalidation one has to be "Non-immigrants with a valid (unexpired) admission stamp or paper from I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, endorsed by Department of Homeland Security (DHS)."

Thank you for the comments, but there is an expiration date for online I-94.

Actually, I just have a question of what does a "valid I-94" mean. On my most recent I-94, "Admit Until Date" is "D/S", but at the corner, there is something like "OMB #XXX" and "Expiration Date XXX".

I know my status should be totally fine even after that expiration date because I have the "D/S", but could I still use that I-94 (i.e., is it still valid)?

 

[mbaleine]

Gee. Those tiny prints at the right bottom corner? I've never even noticed them until I went to scrutinize the print-out just now. God knows what those are about. I wouldn't think twice about them as long as there's "Admit until D/S".

 

[mbaleine]

Here you go -- definitive answer: https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/502386 - I-94 Fact Sheet_OFO.pdf

"This number is the OMB form expiration date. All government forms have OMB expiration dates. This date is NOT the expiration of a traveler’s status"

 

[help_seeker111]

Here you go -- definitive answer: https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/502386 - I-94 Fact Sheet_OFO.pdf

"This number is the OMB form expiration date. All government forms have OMB expiration dates. This date is NOT the expiration of a traveler’s status"

Thank you my friend for the information. I have read the same fact sheet before. All I'm sure about is my status is totally valid, but still, is my I-94 with the "expiration date" passed valid? It is impossible for me to print a new one since the records are all cleared after 5 years ......

 

[help_seeker111]

OK, I have just confirmed that expired F1 on expired passport should not be a problem. The I94 should not be an issue just if there is "D/S" there. The only question remaining is whether the university name show on expired F1 is different from my current university matters. Anyone has any insights/experience? Greatly appreciate!

 

[CanamPR]

Hello everyone,

I have a plan to have a short land in Toronto and be back to the US very soon. Just a question about the F1 auto revalidation policy, and my case is quite special so any help or experience shared by you is highly appreciated!

My case:
1) F-1 visa, but expired 5 years ago. Moreover, the expired F1 visa is attached to an expired passport.
2) Valid I20 now, but the name of the university on the I20 is not the same as the one on my old F1. I attended different universities.
3) Cannot print my I94 online anymore because all records cleared after 5 years. Even though the time allows me to stay shown as "D/S", I only have the I94 printed in last year, which has an expired date as May 2019.

Anyone had/heard some insights similar to my case? Or whether you suggest me to have an attempt?

Were you able to use automatic revalidation?
I am planning to travel to Canada to activate my PR via road from Seattle. Your experience would really help me in preparing for my travel. Sharing your experience would really help people like me and others who are in the same boat.

Arun