Will I need a second F1 Visa?

[WalterSobchak]

I entered the US on an F1 Visa issued in 2021 to pursue a masters degree. I graduated in 2023, worked until April of 2024 when I had to return to my home country because of poor health.

I now wish to pursue an Associates degree at a community college in a field unrelated to my bachelor’s and masters study in the hope that it will allow me in the future to be accepted to a PhD program in the new field I wish to pursue.

Now my question is: Do I need to apply for a new F1 Visa? Or can I still enter the US using the F1 Visa that was issued for my masters degree (it is valid till 2026).

Note: My SEVIS was “completed” (according to ISO at the US University where I got my masters) at the time I left the US in April 2024. 8 months would have passed by the time I begin associate degree studies in Jan 2025 since leaving the US in April 2024.

[DanMichellB]

Sounds pretty logical. Thanks for sharing!

[Ariana_A]

hope you feel better now

[PoleWann]

My F1 visa stamp is valid until 2026, but my SEVIS was closed after my master’s. Do I need a new visa to start an associate degree in 2025?

[Dave_896]

Since your SEVIS record was marked as “completed” when you left the U.S., your previous F1 status is no longer active. Even though your visa stamp is still valid until 2026, you’ll need a new Form I-20 from the community college for your new program.
If the new school issues you a new SEVIS ID, you’ll usually need to apply for a new F1 visa before returning to the U.S. However, in some rare cases—if the new program starts within 5 months and you transfer your SEVIS—you could use the same visa.

Because you’ve been outside the U.S. for about 8 months, your SEVIS record can’t be reactivated. So, you’ll need to apply for a new F1 visa using your new I-20 before traveling back.