I entered the US with a F1 visa a few years ago. Then I finished school and worked for two years on H1 (no visa stamp, just the INS change of status paper, ie, I never left the US while on H1). Now I am back to school (a different school) with a F1 (again change of status by INS, not visa stamp obtained in China). So the only visa stamp on my passport is my first F1 visa. If I travel to Canada or Mexico, and I do not apply for a visa there, can I return to the US (within 30 days) with the automatic visa revalidation?
I know that if I had a F1 visa, then change my status to H1, and then travel to Canada or Mexico I can enjoy the revalidation (as long as I don't apply for a new visa in Canada or Mexico and I return to US within 30 days). But now my situation is that I have an extra layer, F1 -> H1 -> second F1, and the only visa stamp is for the first F1 (which for a different school). Does anyone know any policy on this or have any similar exprience?
Thanks very much!!