Hello,

I'd be extremely grateful if someone could answer this question for me. I'm a foreign student in the US, currently on an F1 visa. I've been studying for about two years, but I'm now breaking off my studies for one semester (about five months), and then resuming them in January.

The problem is, I need to stay in the US for those five months. I realize I then do not qualify as a student in the strictest sense of the word. I also know I only have 90 days as a tourist, and since I need about 150, that's no good either. I would definitely be resuming my studies after the five months, but how could I stay in the US in the meantime?

Thank you very much for any advice you can offer.

Before dropping your full courseload, SPEAK TO THE DSO AT YOUR SCHOOL OR AN IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY! In order to ensure that you maintain valid status and are able to return to your studies, you have to make absolutely sure that you take all of the appropriate steps. It may be necessary for you to switch from F-1 status to B-2 and then back to F-1.

Attorney Edward Weiner
http://www.immigration-aux-usa.com