How Hard Is It to Change Universities on an F-1 Visa?

If you get an F1 visa and later decide to join a different university, the process depends on whether you want to change schools before or after arriving in the US.

• Before arriving in the US – You cannot use the visa issued for one university to enter and study at another. You would need a new Form I20 from the new school and may have to reapply for a visa or at least update your SEVIS record. In some cases, you might need a new visa interview.

• After arriving in the US – You can transfer to another SEVP-approved school by working with your current school’s Designated School Official (DSO) to release your SEVIS record and get a new I20 from the new school. This is a standard process and usually not very difficult.

In short, changing schools after arrival is relatively simple, but changing before arrival can require a new visa process.