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If an alien student
advances to a new educational program at the same academic institution, there
is no required notification procedure. However, USCIS has recommended that in this
situation, the foreign student advisor adhere to the procedure of notification
so that the student's new expected date of completion for his academic program
could be entered into the USCIS database. Such information is of great importance
in determining whether the student's duration of status remains valid or, alternatively,
if the student has to file an extension of stay on account of a failure to complete
the current academic program within the expected period of time, plus the allotted
grace period.
If an alien student changes
majors within the same educational program and the same academic
institution, no notification is required. However, when changing
a major field of study, a new Form I-20 has to be issued to the
student should the student decide to make a temporary trip abroad
and desire to return to the U.S. This is because the change of major
or field of study invalidates the original I-20 for re-entry purposes.
Therefore, when an alien student is changing from one academic program
to another at the same school, the following steps should be undertaken:
1. The student should obtain a new Form I-20 for the new academic
program;
2. The student should complete the student portions of the Form
I-20 and submit it to the foreign student advisor within 15 days
of starting the new academic program;
3. The foreign student advisor returns the "student copy"
pages (pages 3 and 4) of the Form I-20 to the student; and
4. The foreign student endorses page 1 of the Form I-20.
For more information on F-1, please
click on the following links:
Description
Application for an F-1 Visa
Obtaining an F-1 Status at the port of entry
Change into F-1 Status in the U.S.
Eligibility for change into F-1
Status in the U.S.
Maintaining F-1 Status
Transfer of School
Transfer of Major
Time limitation of F-1 Status
Extension of F-1 Status
F-1 Status reinstatement
Employment in F-1 Status where
explicit USCIS approval is not necessary
Employment in F-1 Status where explicit
USCIS approval is necessary
Optional Practical Training(OPT)
Travel abroad in F-1 Status
Change from F-1 Status to H-1B
Change from F-1 Status to immigrant status
F-2 Visa and Status
Frequently Asked Questions about F-1
Attorney and filing fees
The Impact of I-140 Filing on F-1 Students
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