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Visa questions about changing school
I am a PHD student with F1 visa. After one year's study, for some reason, I might have to transfer or reapply to another university this year, with a master degree from my current university. My questions are:
1. Since I am changing my university, I will need new F1 visa and I-20 form. Do I have to go back to my country for the new visa? Can I do everything in U.S.? (My old visa has expired.)
2. It seems that I must inform USCIS ahead of time about changing my school. How early should that be? I am just trying to reapply to other universities now and if I can’t get good offers, I will stay at my current school and won’t change anything. Thus, I can’t decide whether I will really change my school until I receive offers in January or February 2014 and I will enter my new school in September. Will it be too late to inform USCIS that I am transferring in February?
3. I plan to be an intern with OPT or CPT during 2014 summer, which is the gap between my old and new F1 visas. Is it possible and legal?
Many thanks!
1. Since I am changing my university, I will need new F1 visa and I-20 form. Do I have to go back to my country for the new visa? Can I do everything in U.S.? (My old visa has expired.)
2. It seems that I must inform USCIS ahead of time about changing my school. How early should that be? I am just trying to reapply to other universities now and if I can’t get good offers, I will stay at my current school and won’t change anything. Thus, I can’t decide whether I will really change my school until I receive offers in January or February 2014 and I will enter my new school in September. Will it be too late to inform USCIS that I am transferring in February?
3. I plan to be an intern with OPT or CPT during 2014 summer, which is the gap between my old and new F1 visas. Is it possible and legal?
Many thanks!
