Procedure to change the university after starting the visa process for USA

Question

If you are an international applicant for the bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral program in the United States, then you will most definitely require an F1 visa to enter the country. To apply for an F1 visa, a student must have an i-20 form from the university he is admitted to. A standard time for an i-20 or DS-190 to get delivered is approximately 2-3 business weeks.   
    
  When you fill out the DS-160 form, you will need to give the details such as the SEVIS ID from your i20 form. A situation may arise that a student needs to change the university mentioned in the US embassy student visa appointment application.   
    
  Scenario 1: DS-160 is submitted. The SEVIS fee is paid. Visa payment is not made. The visa interview date is not booked. The Visa interview is not done.   
    
  1. You will have to transfer the SEVIS fee from one university to another through fmjfee website.  
  2. Log in to the fmjfee website(Department of homeland security website). Check your I-901 status. If there is a valid record of your I-901 fee, you will see a transfer button. You just need to click it. The FAQ section on the fmjfee website has the details on how to transfer.  
  3. The website will prompt you to fill in the SEVIS ID and the school code of the new university.   
  4. You will get a confirmation email for the transfer request. If rejected, the reason will be mentioned in the email.   
    
  Scenario 2: DS-160 is submitted. The SEVIS fee is paid. Visa payment is made. The visa interview date is booked. The Visa interview is not done.   
    
  1. Create a new DS-160, fill it with the new SEVIS ID from the new university and submit it.   
  2. Log in to the CGI federal website.   
  3. Update the information on it by changing the DS-160 number and SEVIS ID. As you have already paid the SEVIS fee, you do not have to pay the SEVIS fee again. Instead, just follow the steps of scenario 1.   
  4. There is no need to pay the visa fee again as you have not attended the visa yet.   
  5. If you are not able to update the SEVIS ID on CGI federal website, contact them directly via email or call. Carry the old and new DS-160 confirmation pages for your interview. Explain the situation, the officials will update the details.  
    
  Scenario 3: DS-160 is submitted. The SEVIS fee is paid. Visa payment is made. The visa interview date is booked. The Visa interview is done.   
    
  If you have appeared for the interview and the F1 visa is approved. After that you receive an acceptance letter from a better university then you will have to start the visa process again.  
  1. Get an i-20 from your new university.  
  2. Transfer SEVIS fee (steps in scenario 1)  
  3. Fill and submit a new DS-160 with the details from the new university.  
  4. Pay the visa fees again.  
  5. Schedule and attend the visa appointment a second time.   
    
  Important note - The SEVIS fee is $200 and you need to carry its payment receipt during your visa interview. SEVIS fees have nothing to do with scheduling your visa appointment. You can pay it anytime before your visa interview.  
    
  This information was written as of mid-April 2022. The visa process might change anytime, if you have any new information, please add it in the comment section below.   
    
  #masters #bachelors #ms #phd #applicationprocess #studyabroad #studentvisa #studyguide #studyinusa #USA

Rush Kent · Answer

Thanks bro , it's really helpful

A D · Answer

No problem. Glad you found it helpful.

A D · Answer

Thanks

A D · Answer

Thanks

A D · Answer

Hi,
Technically, you can apply if permitted for a transfer after arriving at the 1st university but the probability is next to 0 for getting accepted. USCIS is not even involved. Each university has its own rules and eligibility criteria for a transfer student. A student can inform the original university that he wishes to transfer his I-20. You can transfer if and only if all the eligibility criteria are met by both universities. You would need to consult the international graduate advisors of both universities. Request multiple authorizations. Pay any financial dues if any. Request a new i20. Go through all the policies of both universities for transferring. Keep all copies of documents from both universities. Contact the Department of Home Affairs and provide an electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) certificate from your new institution.
Note - Do not let any university terminate your i20, then you will have to leave the USA to re-enter with a new I-20. A valid medical reason like medical treatment for a chronic disease needed near the 2nd university will allow you to change. or something like - you got into an accident, lost a leg in the USA. Other than that for an international student, university change is difficult.

A D · Answer

Oops :) Thanks for updating. My mistake.

A D · Answer

28th April Update: SEVIS fee is $350 not $200

A D · Answer

Just updating DS 160 on intended travel date and DSO according to the new i20 generated for the next semester. You can do it as late as 3-5 days before the biometric

A D · Answer

Hi,
Scenario 4: DS-160 is submitted. The SEVIS fee is not paid. Visa payment is made. The visa interview date is booked. The Visa interview is not done.
1. Ask your new university for a i20. 
2. Create a new DS-160, fill it with the new SEVIS ID from the new university and submit it.
2. Log in to the CGI federal website.
3. Update the profile information on it by changing the DS-160 number. 
4. There is no need to pay the visa fee again as you have not attended the visa yet.
5.  The SEVIS fee is $350 and you need to carry its payment receipt during your visa interview. SEVIS fees have nothing to do with scheduling your visa appointment. You can pay it anytime before your visa interview atleast 3-4 business days before to be on the safer side.

A D · Answer

You will have to get in touch with your university regarding this. Every university has its own rules. Personally, I won't recommend to postpone your intake after a visa interview. Some universities allow you to defer your admit while some universities don't.

Sujith Kumar · Answer

Can you elaborate the steps for deferred admits who are yet to attend visa interview? I mean we have the same SEVIS ID. Is filling out new DS 160 and updating information on cgi website enough?

nikhil srirangam · Answer

Thanks for this, really helpful

sourav walke · Answer

Really helpful !

sai preetham · Answer

Can’t we go to the university and apply transfer to the new university why of attending interview again

babu madhu · Answer

I am also having the same doubt. In fact, I am thinking about doing it

Bonthu Joseph · Answer

Ds-160 not submitted in the first place. Booked a visa slot with x university but haven't yet attended visa interview. Later I received I-20 from Y university, updated sevis number of Y university in DS-160 and submitted Ds-160 for the first time. Now theirs's no need to change DS-160 Application number on Cgi federal, but how to update sevid Id and University name of Y university on cgi federal.

Mythresh Maddina · Answer

Sevis fee:350usd

Sai Nikhilesh · Answer

Can you emphasize more on how to apply for transfer after completing 1st semester?

Mitesh Mitesh · Answer

Nice

Mitesh Mitesh · Answer

Helpful

Mitesh Mitesh · Answer

Good

DeeKay Goswami · Answer

Good guide!

aditya ind · Answer

Can we postpone intake after visa interview (same university)