Found an issue on this page? Let us know and we will look into it as soon as possible.
Holding two US Visas at the same time?
Anonymous2 views4 answers
I am in the process of applying for college in the US so hopefully soon I will be applying for a F-1 visa and have been asked by friends to go and visit them for the holiday perdiod before I begin my studies. I am aware that I get 30 days prior to begining my studies to enter the country on a F-1 but that is not enough, so was wondering if I can apply for a B2 visa now, and hold both visa's at the same time? I am aware that I would need to be in my country for an interview for my F-1 visa, but just want to be able to head over to the US sooner than 30days before.
If anyone could offer me some help on this I would really appreciate it so I can start applying for my visa, I just dont want to jeopardize my F-1 by applying for a B2 if this is not ok.
Thank You in advance.
tuart Jonas ReichImmigration AttorneyNew York, NY ·
I agree with my colleague - you can only have one visa status in the U.S. at a time, though you can have more than one uncancelled visa stamp in your passport at a time. You can apply for the B-2 and the F-1, just be careful to clearly explain your intentions so the consulate doesn't cancel the earlier one when issuing the later one.
There is something of a half-exception where someone on an H-1B can have H-1Bs in place for more than one employer at a time, but even this is still just one status.
