| Username |
Post |
| ranga6913 |
Posted
on 07-Jul-03 10:51 AM
Hey guys how are you all doing this summer? I am thinking of going to Nepal and stay there for like 3 months and come back for the spring semester. have you or has anyone that you know have done this before? I have visa for 5 yrs but i'm worried about the entry port. I talked to my cousin today and heard that they give hard time at the entry port. Please post if you have any idea abou tthis...
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| NepaliThito |
Posted
on 07-Jul-03 12:10 PM
Hi Ranga,
Since you have 5 yrs visa you are free to go to nepal and stay there for 3 months or more than that. If you are out of US then there is nothing to do with your status, you dont need to worry about. Wish you wonderful stay in NEPAL.
Have fun. ...
Cheers.
NepaliThito
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| jaya_nepal |
Posted
on 07-Jul-03 12:18 PM
There should not be any problem if your I-20 is valid and you did not have any bad records while your previous stay in the United States. One of my friends from Bombay (India) took the Spring semester off. He just had to re-instate in his university. Otherwise, he did not have problems. Also, you may wanna seek an approval from the International Center of your university. Have a nice and safe trip back to Nepal.
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| Arnico |
Posted
on 07-Jul-03 02:20 PM
Hi,
I took a semester off during college... and more recently have often been outside of the US for several months at a time for research work. I am still on an F-1 visa, and have NEVER had ANY problems at the entry port. To reenter the US, you will need
(1) a VALID visa, which you have.
(2) a VALID I-20 form. (see below).
One thing to note: you should get your I-20 signed/endorsed by your international student officer a few weeks before you leave. The signature is valid for something like 5 months. If you are away for more than 5 months or so (I was once gone for 8), your I-20 automatically expires regardless of the date on the front of it, and you will need to have your school send (preferably by Fedex or somethng safe like that) a new I-20 form. As long as you are entitled to a new I-20 (finances/financial aid all set, etc.) then that should be no problem except possibly for a small fee depending on your school.
As long as your finances / finacial aid are all set for when you return then I actually STRONGLY RECOMMEND (to any undergrad) taking a semester off and spending it in Nepal. Your studies so far will give you an improved perspective and understanding of things in Nepal while you will have time to reflect about what you want to do in the future. You will also be there long enough to get a REALISTIC sense of what is and what is NOT frustrating about working in Nepal, and a REALISTIC sense of how long it takes to get things done (i.e. you will not just "give up" about the bureaucracy or whatever the way you might if you were there for just a few weeks). And you will return to college all refreshed and with a clearer sense of what you want to do. Meanwhile, you get to have lots of fun in Nepal and to reconnect with friends, family, the guava tree in your yard (or its equivalent), the barking dogs at night, and the sunset view of snowy mountains.
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| ranga6913 |
Posted
on 07-Jul-03 02:38 PM
Thanks Arnico, i appreciate your suggestion and information very much. I can't offord to stay here for a semester becuase of the financial difficulties and i don't want to be illegal and ruin myfuture either. however, mypassport is expiring in November. The new one will not have a visa on it. Can i use the 5 yr-valid visa on old passport? please let me know.. also could i have your email address please.
Sincearly,
M.B
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| Arnico |
Posted
on 08-Jul-03 07:20 AM
Hi Ranga.
Yes, for the US (not for most other countries though), a valid visa in an expired passport is still a valid visa. You will have to travel with both passports when you return. If possible try to get something to that effect in writing (even if just a web page print out), just in case Nepali immigration (exit) or airline check-in staff don't know the rules.
If you want to e-mail me you can double click on my name.
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| caliguy1 |
Posted
on 12-Jul-03 04:49 PM
Ranga
I had one semister break .. and almost had to go back..
do a brief research before you decide to go and stay there for whole fall..
I would not recommend
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| saday |
Posted
on 13-Jul-03 12:36 AM
Hi Caliguy, Would you please email me. my cousin wants to do the same thing. I would appreciate it very much.
thanks
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