School on F1 visa doesn't match school on I-20 can I enter?

[mrmvkjts 459]

Hi there,

super random question but, if an F1 student has received their Visa for a specific school but also got an I-20 for another school, are they able to enter the country on school A visa with school B I-20? Or would they have to do an initial transfer after arriving?

[milimelo 4,205]

No, they need to get a new visa with the correct school name listed. 

[mrmvkjts 459]

35 minutes ago, milimelo said:

No, they need to get a new visa with the correct school name listed. 

 

But couldn't they just enter on school A's visa and I-20 and then ask them to transfer their SEVIS record to school B? Rather than getting a new visa for school B before travelling?

 

 

[carmel34 3,531]

30 minutes ago, mrmvkjts said:

 

But couldn't they just enter on school A's visa and I-20 and then ask them to transfer their SEVIS record to school B? Rather than getting a new visa for school B before travelling?

 

 

Contact the DSO at the school on the approved F-1 visa to ask about the transfer process.  It may or may not be possible before entering the US, depending on the circumstances.  You may have to start at school A first.  If the program begins in a few weeks you should reach out to the school A DSO today.

 

https://www.ice.gov/sevis/f1-transfers

 

[Boiler 43,438]

I have seen people do this numerous times, hopefully they are not downgrading Uni, Consulates really do not like that and it can come back to bite them.