having both f1 and visitor visa stamped if I use the B1 status will I lose the f1?

[hamzarayes]

Dear Mr. Ahmad;
hi any help will be appreciated
I applied for an F1 VISA for course of study for an exam (USMLE STEP3) which is one of the requirements for postgraduate training in USA however you do can apply with out it but less chances of getting a position. Anyway I applied for the F1 on August and was put under processing since then. During that period I decided to apply for postgraduate training with out doing USMLE step3 exam and it went well and I got interview invitations. As the F1 was still underprocessing I decided to apply for a visitor visa to catch up with the interviews. and I was successful to get the visitor visa issued meanwhile just a couple of days before the visitor visa is issued the F1 visa also was approved and they are asking me to send the passport for VISA issuance.

Q1 can I have both visas stapmed?
Q2 my interviews are on January till 6th Feb. then I plan to start my studies. I know that I can not have two status at entry, so which status which I chose. I thought of using the Visitor status to attend my interviews then change to F1 status but in this was will my student visa be of any help on this? or I will have to apply for a new F1 VISA which is going to be another headache. or should I enter USA with F1 status from the beginning a month before my studies to attend the interviews?

Thanks

[peace999]

Depends on your plan;

1.For step3 , are you joining a coaching course like kaplan? What is the duration of course preparation ?( from which month to which month?)
and when do you plan to take step3?
2.If you get selected in your interviews in Jan, you will have to start your residency in June/july. On what visa do you plan to do that?
J-1 ? or H-1 after taking your step3?

[hamzarayes]

thanks for your reply

Depends on your plan;

1.For step3 , are you joining a coaching course like kaplan? What is the duration of course preparation ?( from which month to which month?)
and when do you plan to take step3?
2.If you get selected in your interviews in Jan, you will have to start your residency in June/july. On what visa do you plan to do that?
J-1 ? or H-1 after taking your step3?

1. yeah I am doing a kaplan center based course for step3 which is 3 months to 6 or 9 months extension. from February to May. and I plan to take the exam during or after that period when I feel ready.

2. If I get a position for residency I am fine with J1 or H1 no difference. but I prefer H1

[peace999]

It is upto the officer if he leaves your B1 /B2 intact.

Also if you plan to start residency in June, how can you continue with F1?
You will have to change to J1 or H1 if you have passed step 3 before june.

Student status will be better as it will give you more time till June to change status to J-1 .
If you enter on a B1 , there is a risk they may just give you 3 months stay at entry, then you will have to return and enter again on your F-1

H-1 is always better than J-1. You won't need a waiver for 2 yr home residency requirement after your residency.
But
You can opt for an H-1 only if you have step3 passed. so , if you can complete step3 and get your results before june, you can
ask your program to petition you for an H-1.

[hamzarayes]

It is upto the officer if he leaves your B1 /B2 intact.

Also if you plan to start residency in June, how can you continue with F1?
You will have to change to J1 or H1 if you have passed step 3 before june.

Student status will be better as it will give you more time till June to change status to J-1 .
If you enter on a B1 , there is a risk they may just give you 3 months stay at entry, then you will have to return and enter again on your F-1

H-1 is always better than J-1. You won't need a waiver for 2 yr home residency requirement after your residency.
But
You can opt for an H-1 only if you have step3 passed. so , if you can complete step3 and get your results before june, you can
ask your program to petition you for an H-1.

that is crazy mannn I had an F1 visa which was underprocessing and just a couple of days ago they sent me an email asking to send back the passport for VISA issuance but today the status changed to:

(READY Your case is open and ready for your interview, fingerprints, and required documents. If you have already had your interview, please check your status after two business days. If no interview was required, please check back in two business days for the status of your application).

This coincided with the issuance of my visitor visa today.