If you wish to transfer schools you have to be a full-time student in good academic standing. Notify your current school of your intent and ask the school to which you plan to transfer for a new USCIS Form I-20. You have to complete your section of the form and give it to the appropriate school official within 15 days of transferring schools. The school should give you the last two pages and forward a copy of the first two pages to the USCIS and to your former school.

If you are married, your spouse and children can accompany you to the U.S. under F-2 status. They should also accompany you when you go to the U.S. embassy or consulate to apply for your U.S. student visa. They must have documents that prove their relationship to you. If they follow you later they should provide the U.S. embassy or consulate staff with a copy of your USCIS Form 1-20 ID and proof of their relationship to you. Their F-2 status is dependent upon your F-1 status. If you change your status your family must change their status as well. If you lose your status so does your family.

How Long Can You Stay?

You can stay in the U.S. as long as you are enrolled full-time in an educational program and are making normal progress toward the completion of your studies. After you complete your studies you may stay an additional twelve months to pursue practical training. Following the completion of your studies or practical training you will have 60 days to leave the country.

There is no need to apply to extend your stay as long as you are maintaining your student status and making normal academic progress. The school will record a proposed completion date on your form and you should be able to complete your studies by that date under normal circumstances.

You may be allowed to work after you complete your first year of study, under limited circumstances. You should discuss this option with official at your school. Your spouse and children are not allowed to work in the U.S.

Can You Travel Outside U.S.?

Individuals applying for student visa who are allowed into the country to study can leave the U.S. and be re-admitted if their absence is five months or less. Upon re-entering the U.S. students must provide the immigration inspector with a valid passport, a valid F-1 entry visa, a current USCIS Form I-20 ID with the signature of the appropriate school official, a new USCIS Form I-20 if there have been substantive changes in course or place of study, and finally, proof of financial support.

While acquiring a U.S. student visa seems convoluted, it's simply a matter of following the steps. In applying for a student via be prepared for the paper work and you'll be fine.

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