Dear Community,
I hope you’re doing well; I have question regarding myself, my current master will end next May 2026 and I am wonderingif I can get enrolled in the same university for Day 1 CPT and continue working as I wasn’t picked in the H1B lottery. So is it legal to be enrolled in a third master and how about the Visa, Do I need to go back during winter break to extend it as mine will expire April 2026.
Please advise.
Thank you
yes, you can enroll in a 3rd master’s, but you have to make sure it has >50% courses are different from your previous 2 master’s.
If your F-1 visa is going to expire in April 2026, you don’t need to travel abroad for the visa. To make sure your status is legal, what you need to do is apply for a school before May 2026 graduations and get your i-20 before graduation.
Yes, it’s legal to enroll in a third master’s, there’s no limit on how many degrees you can pursue under F1, as long as the program is legit and SEVP-approved. But keep in mind, USCIS does look more closely when you go for a second or third master’s, especially if it’s Day 1 CPT. So make sure it’s related to your field and that you’re not just enrolling for the work benefit.
Yep, it’s legal to do a third Master’s under F-1 as long as you get admitted into a new program and stay in good academic standing — no official limit on how many degrees you can do.
That said, USCIS might look closer if it seems like you’re just “degree hopping” to stay in the U.S., so make sure the new program makes sense for your background and job (especially if you’re using Day 1 CPT).
About your visa — if your F-1 stamp expires in April 2026 but your SEVIS stays active and you don’t leave the U.S.， you can stay legally. But if you travel after April 2026, yes, you’ll need a new visa stamp to re-enter.
Best to time that winter trip carefully
i would say go for a doctor program
Not sure if it fits your background, but have you thought about a DBA program? Some use that as an option
A third master is acceptable yet kinda risky, depending on how you can justify the distinctions between your degrees. You can consider enrolling in a doctoral program if you want a safer option. This article might be helpful: Can I Take Multiple Degrees for Day 1 CPT?
yeah 3 masters is kinda sus lol
It should be legal but it just can’t be a duplicate with your previous course. I also have known people who have their 4th master’s degree and don’t have problems going in and out of the United States, so choose the right program, and it won’t be a problem.
Totally agree with this! 
Yes — pursuing a third master’s on F-1 is technically legal, but that doesn’t mean it’s risk-free. USCIS and CBP are definitely more cautious now, especially when it comes to Day 1 CPT programs or repeated degree levels. If your academic history starts to look like a pattern of staying for work rather than study, it can raise red flags.
The safest move is to make sure your new degree has a clear academic progression or is genuinely tied to your career goals. And definitely keep solid documentation — course relevance, advisor notes, job duties — just in case you need to justify it later.
Smart to stay informed and intentional. Appreciate you laying this out so clearly!