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Automatic Visa Revalidation (AVR) to enter USA

momemon

Star Member
Aug 17, 2017
185
57
Hello,

I am new to the ARV process. I am in the US and I have a valid F1 Visa and I just got my status changed from F1-OPT to H1B. How does the ARV apply to me and what are my options to travel outside the country? I know I can always get an H1-B stamped from Canada or ideally my home country, but that may require at least a couple of weeks of travel, if not more. Would going to Canada and getting the ARV help me in future travels outside of North America?
 

lampbreaker

Champion Member
Apr 7, 2015
1,733
376
Hello,

I am new to the ARV process. I am in the US and I have a valid F1 Visa and I just got my status changed from F1-OPT to H1B. How does the ARV apply to me and what are my options to travel outside the country? I know I can always get an H1-B stamped from Canada or ideally my home country, but that may require at least a couple of weeks of travel, if not more. Would going to Canada and getting the ARV help me in future travels outside of North America?
No, AVR is automatic visa revalidation. It means if you travel to Canada or Mexico and return to the US within 30 days, you can return without having a valid Visa. But if you travel to any other country or longer than 30 days, you will need a Visa of the appropriate class to return.
 

momemon

Star Member
Aug 17, 2017
185
57
No, AVR is automatic visa revalidation. It means if you travel to Canada or Mexico and return to the US within 30 days, you can return without having a valid Visa. But if you travel to any other country or longer than 30 days, you will need a Visa of the appropriate class to return.
Got it. Thanks. So since my status in the US has changed (even though I have a valid visa), I can travel to Canada and return with the AVR correct? Also, is there a limit to how many times you can do it? Say, I want to travel to Canada a few times in the next six months or so until I get H1-B stamped?
 

lampbreaker

Champion Member
Apr 7, 2015
1,733
376
Got it. Thanks. So since my status in the US has changed (even though I have a valid visa), I can travel to Canada and return with the AVR correct? Also, is there a limit to how many times you can do it? Say, I want to travel to Canada a few times in the next six months or so until I get H1-B stamped?
Your valid Visa is not the same class as your latest I-94, so it is 'invalid' in that sense. You can use AVR any number of times, there is no restriction.
 

PatwaBobby

Star Member
Mar 7, 2019
107
24
My h1b application is pending which might get denied before my last entry date to Canada, I am on F1 which is expiring within 6 months. Hence trying to go for AVR. In the rules I read the person should not have a pending visa application or a rejected visa application. Wanted to confirm the h1b petition is considered as visa application in this case?

Thanks, waiting for your reply :)
 

harirajmohan

VIP Member
Mar 3, 2015
6,149
1,660
Category........
Visa Office......
Sydney, NS
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
29-May-2015
Doc's Request.
30-Dec-2015 ReminderEmail(PCCs, NewPassport via cse 31-Dec-2015)
Nomination.....
SK 22-Apr-2015
AOR Received.
11-Aug-2015
Med's Request
23-Dec-2015
Med's Done....
20-Jan-2016
Passport Req..
26-May-2016 (BGC In Progress 25-May-2016)
VISA ISSUED...
PP Reached Ottawa:27-May-2016, Received:10-Jun-2016
LANDED..........
PR: 09-Jul-2016, PR Card: 17-Aug-2016
Wanted to confirm the h1b petition is considered as visa application in this case?
No. Its the application for visa stamp they talk about which we apply at the consulate.
 

PatwaBobby

Star Member
Mar 7, 2019
107
24
Oh I thought so, thank you very much for your quick response. I believe I am good to enter USA through AVR, although I might to research on the risks of travelling outside USA while H1B is pending
 

harirajmohan

VIP Member
Mar 3, 2015
6,149
1,660
Category........
Visa Office......
Sydney, NS
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
29-May-2015
Doc's Request.
30-Dec-2015 ReminderEmail(PCCs, NewPassport via cse 31-Dec-2015)
Nomination.....
SK 22-Apr-2015
AOR Received.
11-Aug-2015
Med's Request
23-Dec-2015
Med's Done....
20-Jan-2016
Passport Req..
26-May-2016 (BGC In Progress 25-May-2016)
VISA ISSUED...
PP Reached Ottawa:27-May-2016, Received:10-Jun-2016
LANDED..........
PR: 09-Jul-2016, PR Card: 17-Aug-2016
Oh I thought so, thank you very much for your quick response. I believe I am good to enter USA through AVR, although I might to research on the risks of travelling outside USA while H1B is pending
Is your coursework/studies over at the university? If so then it will be a problem with some officers without approved H1 or pending courses.
 

harirajmohan

VIP Member
Mar 3, 2015
6,149
1,660
Category........
Visa Office......
Sydney, NS
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
29-May-2015
Doc's Request.
30-Dec-2015 ReminderEmail(PCCs, NewPassport via cse 31-Dec-2015)
Nomination.....
SK 22-Apr-2015
AOR Received.
11-Aug-2015
Med's Request
23-Dec-2015
Med's Done....
20-Jan-2016
Passport Req..
26-May-2016 (BGC In Progress 25-May-2016)
VISA ISSUED...
PP Reached Ottawa:27-May-2016, Received:10-Jun-2016
LANDED..........
PR: 09-Jul-2016, PR Card: 17-Aug-2016
No it is valid and it is valid till Aug 2020
I am not talking about your F1 I94 validity. I am asking if you studies are over.
it doesnt matter if you have valid visa while reenetering. Have you enrolled in courses currently which are yet to be completed or not?
 

PatwaBobby

Star Member
Mar 7, 2019
107
24
I am not talking about your F1 I94 validity. I am asking if you studies are over.
it doesnt matter if you have valid visa while reenetering. Have you enrolled in courses currently which are yet to be completed or not?

Yes my course is valid till Aug 2020, I am in a 2/3 courses now and will register 2/3 in the next sem
 
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lampbreaker

Champion Member
Apr 7, 2015
1,733
376
Yes my course is valid till Aug 2020, I am in a 2/3 courses now and will register 2/3 in the next sem
Irrespective of AVR, if you are enrolled in a shady day one CPT type university, then you could face more scrutiny and potential denial of entry at any time.
 

vineverlas

Newbie
Aug 3, 2019
4
0
[URGENT REQUEST]

I am in Canada to complete PR process. I am an F1 student with expired Visa and I was planning to use AVR. But without complete knowledge of AVR, booked Visa interview for F1 renewal. Is there any way I can still use AVR? Does cancelling the interview helps?

Please respond as my interview is next week.

Thanks in advance.
 

harirajmohan

VIP Member
Mar 3, 2015
6,149
1,660
Category........
Visa Office......
Sydney, NS
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
29-May-2015
Doc's Request.
30-Dec-2015 ReminderEmail(PCCs, NewPassport via cse 31-Dec-2015)
Nomination.....
SK 22-Apr-2015
AOR Received.
11-Aug-2015
Med's Request
23-Dec-2015
Med's Done....
20-Jan-2016
Passport Req..
26-May-2016 (BGC In Progress 25-May-2016)
VISA ISSUED...
PP Reached Ottawa:27-May-2016, Received:10-Jun-2016
LANDED..........
PR: 09-Jul-2016, PR Card: 17-Aug-2016
[URGENT REQUEST]

I am in Canada to complete PR process. I am an F1 student with expired Visa and I was planning to use AVR. But without complete knowledge of AVR, booked Visa interview for F1 renewal. Is there any way I can still use AVR? Does cancelling the interview helps?

Please respond as my interview is next week.

Thanks in advance.
You are already in Canada but interview is next week?
Yes cancel the appointment. It should be fine.
 

vineverlas

Newbie
Aug 3, 2019
4
0
You are already in Canada but interview is next week?
Yes cancel the appointment. It should be fine.
Yeah, it is a long story. My interview is on Friday. I wanted to try entering US on Thursday. If they allow me I can ignore the interview.

But if I cancel it and they dont allow me, then I do not have interview opportunity. I already used the expedite interview option too.

So I want to be careful. So, are you sure cancelling should be fine for AVR?
Secondly, what happens if I go without cancelling and they deny entry? Will that have an impact on interview?