Transfer University

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visa-aspirant

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Once in the U.S on a student visa how can I transfer to another school assuming I have an I-20 from the other school. How long will the process take? If it takes long do I have to register for classes and pay the tuition fee at the University I came first.

Please help.
 
I think you have at least attend one semester at the original university before transferring. Your new university officials will help you with the transfer.
 
Thanks. I didn't know that. Does it mean that I have to definitely attend the University for at least semester before transferring. What if I obtain admission from a better University after I obtain the visa. Is there not a choice?
 
kabkaba is right. You have to enroll and complete at least a semester from the school that you got your visa through before you are ellegible to transfer to another school.
The school on your VISA is where you have to report to, irrespective of how many other Universities that you have been addmited to afterwards.
However if you do like another school, then you must go back to the consulate in your country and reapply for a visa/change of schools before leaving. If you can't do that, then you are bound to your previous school. Offcourse you must be aware that even this process comes with a risk, because you could get denied which would cancell your initial visa issuance, SO BE VERY CAREFUL.
Now on the other hand, some schools do not accept international students for transfer with less than a years work in the US and others do not accept international students starting spring semesters, while others require atleast 30 credits to be qualified for transfer scholarships. So it will really depend on the school that you are intending to transfer to.
So your best best is stay atleast a year, 2 semesters in your first school, complete 30 credits, and at the end of the spring semester start applying to schools you want to transfer to. Remeber you will have to go through the same process you went through with your first school, with submiting all the required documentation like evidence of sponsorship, bank statements, affidavits etc. depending on your schools requirement.
In all I have heard some international students say that "transfering schools while in the US seems more difficult for an international student than sticking it out at your initial school."
Good luck.
 
Hello,

Thanks all. I am confused though, I spoke to my friends and they said they know someone who transferred Universities within the first semester, i.e a few days after coming to the U.S. Anyway, I will count on attending the University that I get the visa for.
 
You have to attend the university whose I-20 you use while entering the US, university mentioned on visa stamp is irrelevant.
 
Can I get Visa on a univ and attend diff university

Let's say I get visa on UNIV-A and then when I come to USA, I show I-20 from UNIV-B and then attend B, is that possible. Do I need to attend the university on my VISA for one semester and then transfer.
In Short can I transfer even before I attend one semester.
 
NNReddy said:
Let's say I get visa on UNIV-A and then when I come to USA, I show I-20 from UNIV-B and then attend B, is that possible.
Click to expand...

Then the I-20 from UNIV-A will need to be presented at the Port of Entry (immigration hall at airport). So no, you can't use the UNIV-B I-20 yet, but keep it with you in a safe place until you report to UNIV-A.

NNReddy said:
Do I need to attend the university on my VISA for one semester and then transfer.
In Short can I transfer even before I attend one semester.
Click to expand...

Yes, I posted a link above, which is a guideline offered by the USCIS to school DSO on how to handle initial transfer request. There is NO REQUIREMENT of attending one semester at UNIV-A. In fact, UNIV-A cannot hold your SEVIS record! SEVIS record is considered Federal Government Property, not UNIV-A's property.

Read section 2.4, 2.4.1 and 2.6, print a copy out in case UNIV-A is trying to give you problem. Here are the steps:

1) MAKE SURE THE PROGRAM AT UNIV-B STARTS WITHIN 30 DAYS OF TRANSFER RELEASE DATE.
2) You will report to UNIV-A after getting admitted into the USA.
3) You tell them you have another offer and I-20 (make sure you have that with you already!!!) from UNIV-B and you want to transfer.
4) UNIV-A DSO will make your record "active" and release your SEVIS record to the transfer-in school (UNIV-B).
5) Report to UNIV-B.

Hope this helps.
 
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