How to Change University After Scheduling a US Visa Appointment?

Pursuing higher education in the United States is a dream for many international students. The prospect of studying in renowned institutions, experiencing diverse cultures, and advancing one's academic and career goals attracts students from around the world. However, life is unpredictable, and situations can change. What if you've scheduled a US visa appointment but then receive a more enticing offer from another university? Or perhaps, you've booked your visa interview but realized your dream college has extended an acceptance letter. In these scenarios, changing your university in your US visa application becomes necessary.

This comprehensive guide delves deeper into the process of changing universities after scheduling a US visa appointment. We'll explore the reasons behind such changes, the steps involved in different scenarios, and valuable tips to help you navigate this intricate journey.

Before we discuss the details on how to change your university of choice in your US visa application, it's crucial to understand the fundamentals of US student visas. The United States offers three primary categories of student visas:

• F1 Visa: This visa is designed for students pursuing academic programs at the bachelor's, master's, or doctoral levels.
• J1 Visa: Intended for individuals approved to participate in work-and-study-based exchange visitor programs.
• M1 Visa: Tailored for students enrolling in technical or vocational programs.

To initiate the US student visa application process, you'll generally require specific documents such as Form I-20 for F1 and M1 visas or Form DS-2019 for J1 visas. These documents are generated through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), a critical platform used by the US government to monitor and track international students.

Before we explore the intricacies of changing universities, let's briefly outline the standard steps in the US visa application process:

• Receive an Acceptance Letter: The journey begins with receiving an acceptance letter from a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified US college or university.
• SEVIS Fee Payment: To initiate your visa application, you must pay the required Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee online through the fmjfee website.
• Obtain Form I-20 or DS-2019: You'll receive Form I-20 (for F1 and M1 visas) or Form DS-2019 (for J1 visas) from the college or university you're admitted to. These forms contain essential information regarding the type of visa you should apply for.
• Complete DS-160 Form: You'll need to complete the DS-160 application form, providing detailed information about yourself and your intended stay in the United States.
• Visa Fee Payment: Pay the necessary student visa fees.
• Schedule Appointments: Schedule appointments for the Offsite Facilitation Center (OFC) and the US student visa interview.
• OFC Appointment: Attend the OFC appointment, where you'll submit biometric information.
• Visa Interview: Attend the visa interview, where a consular officer will assess your eligibility for a US student visa.

Now that we've established a fundamental understanding of the US student visa application process, let's explore how to navigate changing universities in your visa application when circumstances demand it.

Changing universities within your US student visa application is a process that varies depending on your specific situation. We'll break down the procedure into three common scenarios:

Scenario 1: The SEVIS Fee Is Paid, DS-160 Is Submitted, But Visa Payment Is Not Made

In this scenario, you've initiated the visa application process but have not yet paid the visa fee. Changing universities at this stage is relatively straightforward:

1. Visit the Department of Homeland Security's Official Website: You'll use the fmjfee website to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee.
2. Check Payment Status: Fill in the required details on the website to access your payment status.
3. Transfer the SEVIS Fee: If there's a valid record of your I-901 fee payment, you will see a transfer button. Click on it.
4. Provide New University Details: The website will prompt you to enter the SEVIS ID and school code of the new university. Ensure you enter the correct details and submit.
5. Confirmation and Approval: You will receive an email confirming your transfer request. A second email will either confirm the transfer or explain the reason for rejection. If approved, print the new SEVIS details for later use.
6. Update DS-160 Form: With the new SEVIS number in hand, complete the following steps:
   
   • Fill out a new DS-160 form with the details of your new university.
   • Submit the new DS-160 and print the confirmation.
   • Book a visa appointment and take the new DS-160 confirmation page with you.

Scenario 2: DS-160 Is Submitted, Visa Payment Is Done, and Interview Slot Is Booked

If you've progressed to the stage of submitting the DS-160, paying the visa fee, and booking an interview slot, changing universities becomes a bit more involved:

• Follow the Steps in Scenario 1: Begin by following the steps outlined in Scenario 1 to transfer your SEVIS record to the new university.
• Update Information on CGI Federal Website: While you won't need to pay the visa fee again since you haven't attended the interview, you will need to update your information on the CGI Federal US visa website.
• Log In and Make Changes: Log in to your CGI Federal account and make the necessary changes by updating the DS-160 confirmation number and SEVIS ID.
• Alternative Update Method: If you encounter difficulties updating this information on the CGI Federal website, carry both the old and new DS confirmation pages to your OFC interview. Inform the officials about the university change, and they will update the details before your interview.

Scenario 3: You've Already Appeared for the Visa Interview

• Changing universities after attending a visa interview is the most complex situation, but it's still possible. Here are the steps to follow:
• Obtain the I-20 Form: Get the I-20 form from your new university.
• Transfer the SEVIS Fee: Follow the process outlined in Scenario 1 to transfer the SEVIS fee to the new university.
• Update DS-160 Form: Fill out and submit a new DS-160 form with the details of your new university.
• Pay Visa Fees Again: Unfortunately, you will need to pay the visa fees once again.
• Reschedule and Attend Appointments: Schedule and attend the OFC and US student visa appointment for the second time.

Please note that if you have already attended the visa interview, the process of changing universities can be more cumbersome. It's advisable to take these steps only if you are absolutely certain about changing universities, as it involves additional time and expenses.

An Alternative Method: The Transfer Process

There is an alternative method to change universities after obtaining your student visa to the US:

1. Accept Admission to University A: Initially, you accept admission to University A, the university mentioned in your visa application.
2. Notify University A: Once you arrive in the USA, inform University A that you wish to transfer your I-20 to University B. You'll need written proof of admission to University B at this point.
3. University A's Role: University A will fill out the necessary forms and send them to University B.
4. Enrollment at University B: University B will enroll you, generate a new I-20, and send it to you.

This method offers an alternative route to changing universities, but it's crucial to maintain all your I-20 forms and ensure that your student status remains 'Active' by adhering to the M1 or F1 Visa rules. Importantly, do not let University A 'terminate' your SEVIS status, as this can complicate your student visa status, potentially requiring you to leave the country and restart the entire visa process.  

While changing universities and SEVIS ID on your student visa application is possible, it's essential to remember that patience and careful planning can save you from undergoing this process. Rushing into booking your visa interview immediately after receiving the first university acceptance letter can lead to complications if a better offer comes your way later.