質問: アメリカ留学中の一時帰国について。現在アメリカのコミュニティカレッジに留学していて来年の五月から七月の中旬まで日本に滞在しようと思っています。
回答: F-1ビザでの再入国の方法は連邦規則8CFRに規定されています。 (4) Temporary absence. An F-1 student returning to the United States from a temporary absence of five months or less may be readmitted for attendance at a Service-approved educational institution, if the student presents: (i) A current SEVIS Form I-20 (or, for readmission prior to August 1, 2003, a current Form I-20ID which was issued prior to January 30, 2003), properly endorsed by the DSO for reentry if there has been no substantive change to the most recent Form I-20 information; or (Revised effective 1/1/03; 67 FR 76256 ) (ii) A new SEVIS Form I-20 (or, for readmission prior to August 1, 2003, a new Form I-20ID which was issued prior to January 30, 2003), if there has been a substantive change in the information on the student's most recent Form I-20 information, such as in the case of a student who has changed the major area of study, who intends to transfer to another Service approved institution or who has advanced to a higher level of study. (Revised effective 1/1/03; 67 FR 76256 ) 現在のI-20若しくは変更した内容のI-20を提示する必要があります。トランスファーするカレッジのI-20を提出する必要があります。初回入国時は授業の始まる30日前から入国可能ですが再入国時にはそのような制限がないので30日以上前から入国可能です。 現在のカレッジに辞める事を伝え春学期が終わってから15日以内に出国しないと入国時にトラブルになります。 >一応古い方の方も必要でしょうか? 現在のカレッジのI-20を提出すると今のカレッジに通うことになります。間際らしいものは持参しない方が良いでしょう。 (i) A student who is maintaining status may transfer to another Service approved school by following the notification procedure prescribed in paragraph (f)(8)(ii) of this section. However, an F-1 student is not permitted to remain in the United States when transferring between schools or programs unless the student will begin classes at the transfer school or program within 5 months of transferring out of the current school or within 5 months of the program completion date on his or her current Form I-20, which ever is earlier. In the case of an F-1 student authorized to engage in post-completion optional practical training (OPT), the student must be able resume classes within 5 months of transferring out of the school that recommended OPT or the date the OPT authorization ends, whichever is earlier. An F-1 student who was not pursuing a full course of study at the school he or she was last authorized to attend is ineligible for school transfer and must apply for reinstatement under the provisions of paragraph (f) (16) of this section, or, in the alternative, may depart the country and return as an initial entry in a new F-1 nonimmigrant status. (Revised effective 1/1/03; 67 FR 76256 ) 春学期が終わってすぐにトランスファーの手続きが出来れば新しいカレッジから再入国用のI-20を取得できれば15日以内にこだわらずにいつでも出国できるようです。カレッジのDSOに確認してください。