return with original valid visa after school transfer

E

esl_person

New Member
I applied for an F1 visa to an ESL school A. I got a 1 year visa, and the annotation states "school A". I completed the 1 month course, but I still need to improve my english, so I got admitted and transferred to ESL school B.
My question is:

can I go back home, and come back to the US with my original valid F1 visa and my new I-20 from school B? or do I have to apply for another Visa that is issued for school B?
 
esl_person said:
I applied for an F1 visa to an ESL school A. I got a 1 year visa, and the annotation states "school A". I completed the 1 month course, but I still need to improve my english, so I got admitted and transferred to ESL school B.
My question is:

can I go back home, and come back to the US with my original valid F1 visa and my new I-20 from school B? or do I have to apply for another Visa that is issued for school B?
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Based on my experience, you should be fine. No need to get another visa. Just make sure you carry your I-20 with you when comming back. That's very important. Also, make sure your F-1 visa is a multi-entry and not a one time one.
 
esl_person said:
Thanks Zuzkin for your reply. I have a multiple entry visa.
Did you have your "school A" written in the annotation?
Click to expand...

Before you decide to leave the country, you need to go to your school's DSO and he/she will do the necessary docummentation for you. The DSO will put a stamp in your I-20, which will alow you to come back with no issues.

My wife was an F-1 student and I did all the I-20 formalities for her. Can't change anything in your visa. If the IO at the port of entry asks you about it, just tell him/her that you transferred to another school. They look at your I-20 more than at your Visa. As long as the visa hasn't expired, you are fine. If your I-20 is not properly documented, then you are in trouble.
 
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