Lost job on H1, planning to re-enter on current F1

USA H1B Visa
1

I was working on H1 since Oct 2012 and lost my job in Nov 2012. I am back in India now as I did not want to stay in the US without any status. I took admission in a good university and received the I-20. I have already paid the SEVIS fee for the new I-20. My current F1 visa (from previous univ) is valid for 2 more yrs.

My question is: Can I re-enter the US on F1 without any problems , or will I need to go for F1 visa stamping again?

Please help. Thanks

2

I don’t think you can use the old school’s visa stamp for an entry to new school. However, you can check w/ your DSO or sudeeptravels might know.

3

Thanks Saurabh . I was reading on the US government website and got confused: please see their answer to question 2L:

http://www.ice.gov/sevis/travel/faq_f2.htm#_Toc81222040

Does that apply to me or is it only for people who were working on OPT?

Thanks

4

Your case looks more complicated as you moved to H-1 in b/w and then moving back to F-1. Did you get a chance to talk to attorney/DSO about this?

5

I have booked a date for my F1 visa interview. From what I have understood from all the inputs from different online sources (including avvo.com) , my F1 status(and visa) became void as soon as I went on H1 status. So the fact that the US consulate gives us a 5 yr F1 visa, it does not mean that it will be valid for 5 yrs no matter what. It will be valid only as long as we maintain F1 status at the same university AND THE SAME PROGRAM.

Thank you all for your help.

6

Good luck w/ the stamping.