I don’t have visa stamping from sometime (but valid and current I-797 is there) so when I travel back to India I will need a consulate appointment to get my visa stamped and valid. When I last had my visa I was on H4. But I am thinking of changing visa to F1 to start in Jan. I will be going to India in December sometime. Is it better to get my F1 approved through I-539 change of status around November, and then get stamping of F1 in India around December? Or another option is to get I-20 from my college around November and then apply for the F1 visa in India through consulate . And what would be the pros and cons of either … Get I539 Approved and then Consulate Stamping OR alone Consulate visa process for F1.
It does not matter how you do it as both serve separate purposes.
F1 COS within the US is meant for people who do not want to travel.
If you travel, an F1 visa stamp in your passport is mandatory to enter the US.
So, it is your choice. If you are traveling in Dec, then an F1 visa stamp will be required to return to the US anyway.
So, better save money by not filing F1 i539 in the US.
@anil_am22 Thank you
Is it better chances to get F1 approved if I539 change of status already approved?