Is F1 Student Visa renewal required, even after OPT approval & EAD? If yes, process?

[Ashish A]

Hello Experts, my daughter, an International Student (on F1 Visa) is finishing her Bachelor's in US this month. However, her 5 year F1 Student Visa is expiring next month (end-July). Based on her OPT approval, if she gets a Job within the 60 day 'Grace Period', would she need to get her F1 Visa renewed? OR would the EAD Card suffice as the extension of Visa and travel to-and-fro US-India? If the F1 Visa would need to be renewed, what would be the process? I'll really appreciate your kind thoughts and insights. Thanks

 

[02111982]

would she need to get her F1 Visa renewed? no
OR would the EAD Card suffice as the extension of Visa and travel to-and-fro US-India? yes opt card
If the F1 Visa would need to be renewed, what would be the process?  Can’t renew 

[Attorney_8]

A visa stamp is a travel document which needs to be valid to travel to the U.S. after a trip abroad. However, it does not need to be valid while the person is in the U.S. and continues to maintain their nonimmigrant status.

Also, once OPT is approved, the 60-day grace period no longer applies as the approval extends the student's F-1 status for the duration of the OPT EAD. The student in this case becomes subject to the 90-day unemployment maximum and should make sure that their cumulative unemployment time during the first-year OPT does not exceed the maximum allowed.