You've just found out that your passport containing your US student visa was lost or stolen. Ouch! We understand how nerve-wracking that can be as a foreigner living in the United States.
In this article you will learn what to do in this unfortunate circumstance as a US international student on an F1 or J1 visa status.
What Should I do if I Lost my US Student Visa
Your responsibility as a foreigner in the US is to be in possession of your official travel documents such as your passports, visas, and arrival/departure records.
These travel documents are needed to prove your country of citizenship and your legal status in the United States.
But sometimes, life happens and you might be the victim of a stolen or lost US visa. So, here are 5 things you should know and steps you can take if you lose your US student visa.
For an engaging summary of the best steps to follow if you lost your US student visa, watch this video below.
1. Contact Your Local Police Department
Once you find out that your US student visa is lost, immediately contact any lost and found desk or office in the location where you suspect your passport containing your US student visa was lost or stolen.
If they don’t have your documents, you should immediately contact the local police department and report your documents lost or stolen. Also make sure to obtain a copy of the official police report.
2. Replace Your Passport Containing Your US Visa
You will need to contact your home country’s embassy or consulate nearest to you to obtain a new passport. Each country has a different procedure in place for replacing lost/stolen passports, so consult your respective embassy or consulate for the best guidance.
If you're in the United States, you can find the nearest consulate representing your home country here.
3. Consider Your Authorized Period of Stay in The United States
Understand that legal foreign nationals who are temporarily in the US and lose their US visas can remain for the duration of their authorized stay. This legally authorized period of stay can be found on the admission stamp, electronic I-94 or a paper Form I-94 if you received one.
For example, an international student who loses his/her F-1 or J-1 US student visa while in the US is allowed to remain in the US and continue their studies as long as their immigration status is maintained.
You can find your period of authorized stay by accessing your electronic Form I-94 on the customs and border patrol website, a link is in the description section below.
In the case that you received a paper form I-94 and this was lost or stolen, you will need to immediately replace it.
You would be required to file an application for replacement of your I-94 with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. You can find a link to the USCIS website in the description section.
4. Report Lost Visa to the US Embassy
If your US visa is lost or stolen, you will need to report this to the embassy or consulate that issued your visa.
US visas are issued by the United States Department of State which operates outside of the United States, thus you can’t replace your US visa while in the US.
So, if you will be traveling outside of the US, you would need to re-apply for a new US visa to re-enter the US.
Also remember to bring a copy of the police report with you when re-applying for this new US visa.
5. Obtain a State Approved Identification for Future
To reduce the risk of a lost or stolen US student visa, where possible, it’s best to obtain a state ID or a driver’s license and to use this as your primary identification document, while keeping your passport containing your visa and other travel related documents safely at home.
Check out our helpful guides on how to obtain a State ID or a Driver's license as a US international student.
DISCLAIMER: This article and any content on this website is designed for general information only and is NOT legal advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy or validity of any legal information in this article. If you need personalized legal advice, you should seek the counseling of a licensed attorney.
