Renewing an F1 visa while on Day 1 CPT has always been a complex process, but with the recent shift to a more conservative and immigration-unfriendly administration, the challenges have grown significantly. Under the new presidency, the risk of additional scrutiny—or even outright rejection—has increased.
Today's blog is contributed by a CPTDog student. It shares a real student's experience and success story, providing a practical guide to navigating the F1 visa renewal process while attending Day 1 CPT universities.
Student Background:
Ashley reached out to us about two years ago. She is currently enrolled at one of our partner day 1 universities, Westcliff University, while working as a marketing specialist at a local firm in California. Ashley’s previous F-1 visa, valid for five years, is set to expire in early 2025. Although she maintains legal and stable status to study and use CPT for her internship in the U.S. with an active I-20 from Westcliff University, she wanted to retain her ability to travel freely in and out of the country.
To achieve this, Ashley decided to take a leave of absence from her program before completion, return to her home country, and renew her F-1 visa. While she was initially surprised to face administrative processing during her visa renewal interview, she promptly provided the additional documentation requested by the consular officer. The very next day, her visa was approved, granting her another five-year F-1 visa.
During the administrative processing phase ("check"), she reached out to CPTDog again, for guidance. Now, after successfully obtaining her visa, she is eager to share her experience with our community.
How to Book Your F1 Visa Appointment
Essential Documents & Supporting Documents
Interview Quesitons & How to Answer: Common questions & Day 1 CPT Related Ones
What to Do If Your F1 Visa Is Rejected or Flagged for "Check"
Steps to Take After Receiving a 221(g)
Strategies for Handling an F1 Visa Rejection
FAQs for Day 1 CPT Students Renewing F1 Visas
Book your visa appointment as early as possible to allow time for potential delays, such as administrative processing (221(g)), here’s the how:
There’s a flaw in the system design: when completing the DS-160 form, you’re required to select a consulate or embassy location for your interview. However, the location you choose may not have availability when it’s time to book your appointment. If that happens, you’ll need to file a new DS-160 form. Be prepared for this possibility, as interview slots in India are often tight and difficult to secure. Remember, you can always revisit the form and resubmit it if you find an earlier appointment at a different consulate than your initial choice.
For more FAQs about the DS-160, visit the U.S. State Department’s FAQ page: DS-160 FAQs
Before your visa appointment, ensure you have all the required documents prepared:
The following four questions are ones that almost every student applying for visa renewal will be asked：
Remember to focus on your role as a student. Explain your program, and coursework, and how they relate to your professional aspirations in detail. Avoid emphasizing CPT-related aspects unless directly asked.
At the end of your interview, the consular officer will issue one of three possible outcomes:
* In her case, Ashley received the Administrative Processing and asked to submit additional documentation.
Ask the officer which specific concerns led to the 221(g) and what additional documentation is required. If they only provide you with a vague explanation, try to recall the questions they asked you during the interview and guess what could be the main reason for visa rejection. Be sure to prepare documents to address their concerns.
The most common reasons could be: understanding your coursework, understanding the relevancy between your CPT internship and your course, understanding whether you maintain your F1 visa status, etc.
Send an email to your international advisor and request assistance, e.g. enrollment letter, proof of onsite attendance, grade, etc.
While waiting for a resolution, continue gathering any additional evidence that may strengthen your case. Stay in communication with your university’s international office for support.
If your visa is rejected outright, reflect on the interview. What questions seemed to raise the most concern? Was it a lack of clarity about your coursework or funding?
Contact your school’s international office immediately. Many universities have resources to help students handle visa-related issues, such as providing additional documentation or connecting you with legal counsel.
Reapplication is possible but requires careful preparation. Address the reasons for the initial rejection and prepare stronger supporting materials to ensure a better outcome.
Renewing an F1 visa with Day 1 CPT can be challenging, but with careful preparation and a focus on your student identity, success is achievable. Even in the face of rejection or administrative processing, staying organized, proactive, and positive can make all the difference.