I traveled to my home country after my i140 was approved. I did not face any challenges at all. However, I had a valid visa at the time. I think your biggest worry isn't reentry but rather a getting your visa approved.

in this situation as you will apply for new F1 visa, applying for a new visa might reveal that you applied for the NIW ("to be citizens"), which conflicts with your current visa category “ that you will apply when you come back”("temporary"). This could pose a high risk if you are unable to return back. However, for NIW applications, you can switch the case to the U.S. embassy in your home country after approval.

I traveled outside and renewed my f1 visa while’s my I140 was pending and had no issue with visa and re-entering the country.

It’s a complex challenge because : 1. On what basis should your F1 be renewed? Do you have a current I-20, active SEVIS or enrolled in school or on OPT? 2. Does your wife’s F1 fit same questions I raised in 1 above? 3. Whose F1 are your kids F2 dependent on ? Yours? Your wife’s? If your pending I-140 is against an inactive SEVIS or I-20 ( meaning your status as a student has long elapsed), you may not be able to justify why the consular must issue a new F1. These are critical issues you should naturally consider before leaving the U.S.. Off the top of my head I think it’s a risk packing off that way. I pray for your father’s full recovery, but I would recommend you weigh your options before packing off.

hi Jayden, I hope your father gets better. I’m a similar situation. My F-1 visa will expire in August 2026, I have a valid I-20 and still prossuring my PhD. I want to renew my visa to be able to travel to visit my family and also because of some conferences trips. however, I talked with my lawyer and he mentioned that he doesn’t recoment trying to renew the student visa with the I-140 pending. however, I think if I don’t renew and wait for my GC, can take years without seeing my family or having my business trips. I really don’t know what to do. any advice?

@Big $€£F when did you do it? After Jan 2025?

January 25th

@SM A My wife and I are both active students going for the 4th year of our PhD program. My oldest kid is a F2 dependent of my wife and the youngest is Native American. Our F1 visa expired while ago and we will all need to renew our visas before reentry.

@Jayden Chloé I guess if interview appointments are not that challenging in your home country then , you may use the to renew your visas then .

@Ana Sousa I renewed my visa on 4th January and returned to the state on the 9th. I again travel during summer and return peacefully. with this I will say since your i140 is not approved you are good to go and the consulate don’t know anything about that. so you are good to go

I think I’ll take the chance too. Hopefully everything goes okay. The thing is that the imigration process is getting worst and worst this year, with visa cancelations and etc, so I’m always afraid about what is going to happen.@Big $€£F

@Ana Sousa I was contemplating too. but someone told me I won’t have a problem if my application is under review and also since I haven’t applied for status change. so based on this I risk it and it was successful. Good luck though

@fam p Hell NO. why will I? lol

if u mentioned AoS during I 140 application, you may have an issue @Ana Sousa

what is AoS @PD Jan 2024 ?

I485 @Ana Sousa