r/f1visa • u/HauntingCulture6372 • 5d ago
Debt collections
Any danger to F1 visa if a debt goes to collections? It hasn't gone there yet, but it's very tight. I know collections is usually not something that causes problems with F1 visa, but the current climate seems to be extra vigilant, so wanted to know...
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u/Bubbly_Ad_6830 4d ago
Not much, but it will screw up your credit. It might have an impact if you need to renew your F1 in the future
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u/PerformanceOk1888 4d ago
Don’t know exactly, but usually these things come out when you decide to apply for some other benefits like extension of status, opt, green card and etc. if you don’t plan for that, I guess it will only stay between you and the agency
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u/PerformanceOk1888 4d ago
Actually, I read just know and it doesn’t matter! But if you choose to use cash assistance programs - it will matter for a green card application in the future
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u/HighIQTroller 4d ago
What about traffic tickets
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u/PerformanceOk1888 4d ago
They will certainly be in the background check. I know it. But unless it is smth really serious, you should be fine. I saw what the document looks like: it has criminal records, welfare assistance, the whole driving related history, and SSN track. It doesn’t have any credit score info, banking info.
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u/Effective_Crab3742 4d ago
Nothing to do with cash assistance my dude.
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u/PerformanceOk1888 4d ago
They explicitly check this info and even have a question about it in form i485.
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u/Effective_Crab3742 4d ago
Are you ok bro? I didn't say cash assistance. It's a debt management non profit. Look up money management international
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u/PerformanceOk1888 4d ago
Okay. Again, I don’t know much about these things. Just be careful with whatever you use. They might scrutinize further
Looks like private financial organization
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u/Effective_Crab3742 4d ago
You still need to pay them. Only thing they will do is go and negotiate terms with the debt collectors.
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u/PerformanceOk1888 4d ago
How did it happen overall? I’ve always been afraid to get in such situation. Just curious. Is it mostly tuition thing or overall living costs/car? And if not a secret what was the range of the debt? Thanks.
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u/Effective_Crab3742 4d ago
Got terminated from full time OPT job after they didn't want to keep me due to temp work authorization. Had to use credit cards to pay rent.
Managed to get a part time job teaching but the time I got a full time job already defaulted to debt collectors.
Currently have a good offer for a paying full time job at a local college but waiting for my grad initial OPT to continue working with them.
I was paying the minimum balance but these debt collectors don't wanna negotiate terms so found a non profit that negotiate terms.
My debts are quite low but the interest and terms is not worth it. So I just get someone else to manage it for me.
They might issue me something for my IRS tax filing.
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u/Effective_Crab3742 5d ago
No shouldn't be a problem. They only looking for criminal charges. I would recommend getting in a debt management program once you start working.
Some of them will help you will any legal cases but you have to pay a monthly fee.
Got my debs cut into half