F1 expires at similar time as I-20

[prabaltiwari93]

My F-1 visa expires on July 30, 2020 and my I-20 expires on August 15, 2020. I am going home to India in December 2019 and wanted to renew my F-1 since I will be staying in US on OPT status after completing my studies. I was wondering if I can apply for renewal in December 2019. My worry is that right now I don't have any official proof that I will be able to stay in the United States post degree completion. I understand that I can probably apply for renewal after I get the OPT approval in 2020 and when I go back after that but I would prefer to renew it in now in December 2019 because of two reasons: I have heard that it is hard to renew visa on OPT (don't think it's true), secondly, it will be harder to get vacation on OPT since I will be working for a company or as post-doc.

Appreciate your feedback

[newacct]

Wouldn't the fact that it would harder to get vacation mean that you wouldn't need to travel outside the US, and thus not need a visa?

[Mogu]

There is a 15 day difference between your F1 and I-20 days. You're not going to get a visa beyond the I20 date. But you may open up yourself to new scrutiny. That is all that'll happen - you have no basis for a visa beyond your I-20 date.