NewStats: 3,263,911 , 8,181,849 topics. Date: Sunday, 08 June 2025 at 06:00 PM 441p6x

JohnZak:
I am not referring to the school that won't do a SEVIS transfer for you. Earlier this year, you said you were ill and were away for more than 5 months without authorization so the 5 month rule applied to you at that time. Not now because you are a new, incoming student at a new school. You have not been interested in the school that won't do a transfer since last year so bringing it up again is confusing.

I am referring to the school that gave you Fall 2024 ission (in bold font below). You posted a screenshot of an email that showed that they accepted your deferral to Spring 25. This is the same school that is listed on your April visa for Fall 24 enrolment and this is the school that offered you a TA. To be eligible to start in Spring 25 at the same school, you do not need a new visa just an updated I20.

I urge you to speak frankly with your DSO at the same school that offered you Fall 2024 ission, accepted your deferral till Spring 2025, has a TA waiting for you, and for which you obtained a visa in April 2024. Except there is more to this story, this is a straightforward process.

Speaking to your DSO at the school that gave you the Fall 2024 ission is important. If the DSO does not receive any information from you or the department about a deferral, class enrollment, or no POE information, they have about 30 days before they cancel your I20 and the April visa that you have becomes invalid because you won't be able to use it to enter the US.

This is what I’m trying to explain: the school that won’t do a SEVIS transfer until I’m physically present is the one whose PI couldn’t guarantee a funding because of his NSF funding that didn’t come through. The DSO said transfer is only possible for student who show up. The PI let me know about the funding issue just a month after I got my visa with their school (this was the same school I deferred till Fall 24). The school that accepted till spring deferral , their name and SEVIS isn’t the one on my visa..

Now I’m beginning to believe that the PI couldn’t wait till August and he rather awarded the fund to a domestic student because a Nigerian friend in the department told me the PI now has a domestic student working with him over the summer period (we discussed this yesterday) —cuz I didn’t show up for spring due to health

And the reason I shared this here again with my new name is for me to know whether to waste my money for a visa fee again or not. I can’t use the visa that has a different school name and SEVIS ID to enter school B for spring semester. This is the dilemma

JohnZak:
Your story is not consistent with previous posts using your former name. This is not about school A or B.

According to you, your visa from April 2024 was issued to start school in Fall 2024. The 5 month rule applies to returning students i.e. enrolled students who have started classes and subsequently been away from their studies for at least 5 months. You are not a returning student.

You are a new, incoming student who was recently granted a visa in April and has not been enrolled but rather deferred their ission. The 5-month rule does not apply to you because you have not entered the US with that visa or started classes. All you need is an updated and signed I20 that states your new start date with your school. Your DSO just needs to update your SEVIS record with this info. Because you have not even reported and enrolled, your SEVIS record is not even considered "ACTIVE" so the 5-month rule does not apply.

Even if you want to change to a different school entirely, all you need to do is request a SEVIS transfer because your visa was issued in April and you are not considered a returning student but a new student. People do SEVIS transfers all the time. I easily did a J1 transfer when I changed programs.

Get proper clarity on your situation by speaking to your DSO!! Nobody applies for a visa multiple times just because they decided to change schools, except their SEVIS record is terminated, which is not the case in your situation.

The school won’t do a SEVIS transfer unless I check in with them by physical presence. The department also won’t do a deferral in this case…so I just had to chose another school where I have been itted…So, transferring SEVIS ID isn’t possible in this case (but I can transfer my SEVIS payment on the SEVIS portal myself). I might be wrong but the other visa becomes invalid in this case.

JohnZak:
So I am pretty sure that we have exchanged posts here but you used a different name.

Showing up to apply for a third F-1 visa without using the previous two F-1 visas is never a good look. You will invite more unnecessary scrutiny to your application. Excuses like you were ill may no longer be tenable, especially if you change schools like I think you did in your post from earlier this year. You will appear like someone who does not know what they want to do academically.

If you already have a valid F1 visa, why do you do not need to apply for a new visa to start in Spring 2025? People change schools after receiving visas without any issues, before and after classes start, without having to reapply for a visa. Clarify this with your DSO before applying for a new visa.

I am not sure what the issue is if you now claim to have a TA that will cover your funding in Spring 25. Or is that you want a research-based assistantship and not a TA because you are more interested in conducting your PhD research? If this is so, this is ultimately a personal decision that you have to make.

If you are changing school (which is true in my case), you’ll need a new F-1 visa especially with the SEVIS 5 month rule

The professor who input the funding I got a visa with in school A lost his NSF application and he only told me in June after I already got my visa in April. I should have risked it and travelled but I’m scared I’ll just be left stranded after I’ve reached out to other professors who claimed they didn’t have funding. Since I got a new offers for Spring 2025, I just reached out to the grad coordinator that TA offer will be better, rather than RA, which is fine.

Right now it seems going to the embassy again will just be a waste of time.

Thank you

TWoods:


You made the right choice. That said, what is your PhD in? I find it difficult to believe you cant find a PhD fellowship if you're in the STEM field. You maybe need to search harder.

The professors I was able to reach out to claimed they didn’t have funding. So, it was only the professor who lost his NSF application that guaranteed me the initial funding …but it didn’t came through

TWoods:


How does God speak to you about engaging in clearly illegal activities?

While God does work with faith... that isn't the case here. It is not faith to lie about having enough funds to study, then proceed to the US and get stranded, looking for illegal loopholes to stay afloat. That same God also said: Luke 14:28,29 “For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him.”

H

chidiakwari:
Which school are you heading to? Can you share your profile? Share a little about profile

I’ve sent you an email

yinkhar:


My little piece of advice is stop wasting your visa chances. Get here and talk to other professors in the department for funding or apply to other schools while you are already here. Staying back in Nigeria doesn’t solve anything and giving up at the first challenge means you never wanted to study from the beginning!

I tried reaching out to two professors trying to get a GA, but wasn’t successful.. and the fear of not being able to waive my tuition is also there if i landed..I also depend a whole lot on the funding as I don’t have a dime to myself beyond the first month… it’s just going to be more miserable. Well, maybe I should just diss the idea over all and try some other countries. Thanks

Hmm

Xoxobull:
This got my attention asides work is it also possible to transition status to student in USA with the B1/B2,I heard it's possible but I don't know how true that is

Good morning brother. If for any reason you cannot make it for your travels (F1 visa) after getting a visa, I learnt that you can now transfer your SEVIS fee payment to a new SEVIS ID if you get ission in another school? If so, what’s the time validity since the period you paid the SEVIS fee and the period that you will no longer be able to transfer this SEVIS fee payment? Is it also a year period?

How difficult is it going to be getting a new visa even when you meet all visa requirements? Cuz the officer will think you’re not serious by not travelling initially

GboyegaD:


Considering you are coming for studies, I think the school where you think you will enjoy more should be your choice. University community/district are usually very safe.

Thank you. UMBC is in cattonsville — about 20min away from Baltimore where major crime happens. Orlando, while having a weather that suck, doesn’t have as much opportunity as Bmore (think of proximity to the DMV area) — the stipend is also very ridiculous and Orlando is a VHCOL area. I loved it better in the Midwest (low cost of living and my stipend used to be enough) but the weather suck and the opportunity isn’t that much.

I’ll probably stick to Baltimore.

Taal17:


You can not remarry unless you are unmarried .

Please ensure your first marriage is ended properly with your wife's consent/knowledge either through court or customary court whichever marriage you did.

If you go and package any supposed divorce documents it will affect your petition I t he US, . The USCIS will just hang it there in pending status.
They already triple scrutinize green card applications from Nigerian men based in the US whose application is through marriage.
GC through marriage is a long road na where e start you know..where e go end we never sure

That's my advice.

What if, in your marriage in Nigeria, you didn’t go through any court..but rather, you approached her family and paid the bride price and that’s all? If anything happen in such a marriage, do you still need to discuss it?

GboyegaD:


Just curious on the bolded, was this when you were in Nigeria or after you traveled? Did you ever cheat on her before you noticed she was cheating? I am asking because he who comes to equity, must come with clean hands.

True. Tbh, if you woman cheats on you, your job is to apologize and beg her not to do it again. Also, meet the man she cheated on you with and beg him not to sleep with your wife again. Otherwise you’re on a long thing and your wife will not be happy with you. Most men in the US, when their wife cheats, they apologize to their wife and stay committed. That’s a country that appreciate women and consider them human enough so their right will not be trampled on.

faceland:


If you carry money and they need you to spend it at your destination, they would give you visa.

True. Visa application depend essentially on how huge your balance is. If you’re submitting a bank statement with low balance in it, you’re on your own. Especially that US embassy wey Dey Walter carrington

OyoTunjiUSA:



Hey 🤠

A2A.

1. You do not have anything to do officially again with school B.

2. You cannot enter the USA 30 days before the start of your program.

3. The early summer rotation (orientation) you are invited to is not relevant again because you have gotten an F-1 VISA already. The invite is just for campus , classroom, hostels , lecture rooms etc sightseeing prior to resumption.

4. If you want to go by force 30days before your resumption to school A, then you will have to apply for B-2 VISA.

5. My friend be patient. Don't go and complicate issues for yourself. The probability of you getting B-2 Visa (despite your F-1 VISA at hand) for the summer rotation Is 10% over 100.


** If school B is really your heart desire wait till you land in America and change school.



Best Wishes 🙏

Yes. Thank you so much . That’s the last option now.. enter the school first and then change from there. Thank you so much

Debbieeeeeee:



In your situation, the key considerations revolve around the interplay between the F-1 visa, the Form I-20, and the start dates of your programs at the two different schools.

1. F-1 Visa: This visa is issued based on the I-20 from a particular school (School A in your case).
2. Form I-20: This form is issued by the school you plan to attend and is necessary for obtaining an F-1 visa.

Points to Consider

1. I-20 and Visa Matching: When you enter the U.S., the immigration officer will look at your F-1 visa and the I-20. These documents should typically correspond to the same school.

2. Entering the U.S: The general rule is that you should enter the U.S. with an I-20 from the school that matches your F-1 visa. If you use an I-20 from School B to enter the U.S. but your visa was issued based on the I-20 from School A, this could cause complications.

3. Program Start Dates: You are allowed to enter the U.S. up to 30 days before the program start date listed on your I-20. However, if the start date for the program at School B is before the earliest entry date listed on the I-20 from School A, you may have a conflict.

Potential Solutions

1. Transfer Procedure: After entering the U.S. with the I-20 from School A, you can transfer to School B. You would need to inform both schools and follow the official SEVIS transfer procedure. This way, your SEVIS record will be updated to reflect the change from School A to School B.

2. Reapply for a Visa: Another option, though more time-consuming, is to obtain a new F-1 visa based on the I-20 from School B. This way, all your documents will match when you enter the U.S.

Recommended Steps

1. Both Schools: Explain your situation to the international student offices at both School A and School B. They can provide specific advice and may help facilitate a transfer in SEVIS.

2. U.S. Embassy or Consulate: Reach out to the U.S. embassy or consulate where you received your F-1 visa. They can offer guidance on whether you can enter with the I-20 from School B or if you need a new visa.

3. Check SEVIS Transfer Policies: Ensure you understand the SEVIS transfer policies and timelines. This is crucial for maintaining your status.

4. Plan Ahead: If reapplying for a visa, ensure you have enough time before your program starts at School B.

Final Advice

Consulting directly with the designated school officials (DSOs) at both institutions and the U.S. immigration authorities will give you the most accurate and actionable advice tailored to your specific situation. This will help ensure that you maintain your F-1 status without any legal issues.

100%. This is valid. I know this to be true as this advise align with what I’ve already gotten from most other people. Thank you Debby

OyoTunjiUSA:


Hey 🤠

@anamo.

1. I will not participate in this battle of idea with my antagonists. If you want me to give you my part of idea you can re-address me separately.

I am awfully sorry.

Best Wishes 🙏

I’m sorry about that. I just quoted everyone I noticed respond to stuffs here. Here it is



@OyoTunjiUSA
I have an issue at hand;

School B which I really want issued me with an i20 just after I got my F1 visa with school A. However, school B is doing a early summer rotation for my program which I have been asked to attend. This rotation starts a month earlier than the earliest resumption date on the i20 from school A that I got my visa with.

Question is: can I enter the US with the i20 from school B with an earlier resumption date way before the earlier resumption date on the i20 from school A that I got visa with

Help: @Debbieeeeeee, @OyoTunjiUSA, @fearlessfang

I

Mosdiii:


Your price is too high. If you're serious I have 100k(serious buyer)

Are you within Lagos?

I

OyoTunjiUSA:



Hey 🤠

@anamo.

1. Thank you for your advice . I like your literate and matured analysis of the whole scenario.

2. I actually decided i won't respond to them again but anything fraud allegation I will have to counter them.

3. Their logic is to use fraud allegations to drive people away from dealing with me but I am glad that personalities like @anamo and @ObamaMessi are now seeing that they have jealousy and enviness motive .

4. @anamo thank you . I am open to corrections and working as a team .



Best Wishes 🙏

You’re welcome bro. Just ignore. Sometimes, jealousy makes people beef you even when you have done nothing to offend them other than existing and doing better

OyoTunjiUSA:




Hey 🤠


** The crazy duo (@Danburuwa & @Zihno).


1. @justwise is not retired but he is tired of your foolish antics and idiosyncrasies. Hence, he is using silent is the best answer for the fools.

2. @Danburuwa, are you telling Nairalanders with @justwise that OyotunjiUSA is the one who is also behind the monikers of ...

@samueljayone. @demmyfranc. @Jemima01. @anamo (your colleague who thought i would failed his bait) and @irumole1975 who drilled me with the same questions and failed to respond again ?

3. So, OyotunjiUSA is behind all those aforementioned monikers speaking with himself (as being claimed by @Danburuwa) ?

4. But OyotunjiUSA is not the one behind the moniker of @Rsogbuyi who has being advertising visa- date group on Nairaland ?

5. You guys should go and take your medications prescribed to you at the psychiatric- hospital located in YABA - Lagos.



Best Wishes 🙏

Please stop entertaining these trolls. You have a good heart. I have once exchanged some harsh words with you here. But when I needed to ask questions I still ask you here and you still answered even when we’ve earlier had some misunderstanding

OyoTunjiUSA:



Hey 🤠


1. You finished with 1st class and you scored 322 in gre but the school did not give you any funding ?

2. If your claim above is right then no better school in the USA will give you any funding because more than 5,000 Universities in the USA has almost 95% identical ission requirements for international applicants.

3. Why not change department or program of study ? On the other hand, the University you applied to may not have sufficient funds available to International students in this session (thereby justifying your re-application to another school).

4. If money is not an issue then go ahead and reapply. Otherwise, cool down to research the reasons for your denial .. But don't focus on scholarships or lack of fundings .

5. Did the consular officer or the 214b denial sheet given to you states lack of fundings from the school as the reason for your denial ?


Best Wishes 🙏

@OyoTunjiUSA, can I ask you a question please?

For a married F-1 student, let’s say his wife got an F-2, and they decided that the wife will only be visiting him in the USA twice a year. Assuming that the husband visa expires after two years and he’s not renewed or something, doesn’t that make his wife visa also invalid after 2years and she probably won’t be able to re enter the US until she and her husband renew right?

[quote author=zigi post=129892719][/quote]

I guess Orlando is as expensive as Miami. Tampa too. Have u lived in Florida before?

LordIsaac:

Pick Florida…thank me later.

What are your reason pls

hammed71:
congratulations can I ask what type of us visa did you get, F1 visa?

I have an F-1 visa in my hand for a PhD

I have lived in the US for two years before I left, I’m trying to come back now and I already have a visa in my hand (Glory to God). However, I’m divided between settling in Florida and settling in Baltimore MD. But anytime I mentioned the idea of Baltimore, people make it looks like anyone that stepped there is gonna be dead in a jiffy due to high crime rate. I’d really prefer B-more but I’m scared. Is crime that material that it’s almost a guarantee to die by merely landing in Baltimore?

I mean do criminals literally go from house to house killing people without you doing anything to hurt them at all?

Okunrimeta:
Happy New Year to everyone ! I recently re-ed Nairaland after a long hiatus and I hope to be a good resource here. I currently live in Texas, feel free to ask any question(s).

I have lived in the US for two years before I left, I’m trying to come back now and I already have a visa in my hand (Glory to God). However, I’m divided between settling in Florida and settling in Baltimore MD. But anytime I mentioned the idea of Baltimore, people make it looks like anyone that stepped there is gonna be dead in a jiffy due to high crime rate. I’d really prefer B-more but I’m scared. Is crime that material that it’s almost a guarantee to die by merely landing in Baltimore?

OyoTunjiUSA:



Hey 🤠

1. I am not going backward in the year 2024. Are you ?

2. People have asked many questions unanswered on Nairaland . Find time to give better opinions or be watching TV at home as a spectator .


Best Wishes 🙏

You so rude and that’s very concerning. Do u even know who I am? Do u know how much power I wield? Do you know I hold to the US border and I open it and close it whenever I want? Do u know I’m the one that determine the H1B cap per year in America? Apologise and I can let this

OyoTunjiUSA:



Hey 🤠

1. You posted question in a public forum which i responded to as my right . Even if your wife got itted into Cambride i can still teach both of you various visa rules . You are just a student in the United States.

2. J1 visa is a USA government exclusively initiated visas with strong rules . Why are you asking about drop-boxing when you have successfully being renewing your J2 cripple visa via DS- 2019 ?

3. Truth is bitter , let's wait and read from the experts who will come and write otherwise. Say the truth about your current illegal standings in the USA. You cannot renew or extend that your J2 in Nigeria .

4. As a J2-visa holder , you will continue as a puppet of your wife (on J1-visa) and if your new Harvard ission is genuine then her visa benefit also extends to you except if you are trying a trick that cannot work behind your wife.


Best Wishes 🙏

How did you know it’s the wife on J-1 and not the husband?

Hannania:
Its about earning possibilities. If he can get the opportunity he needs in Switzerland, moving to the US is of no use because the pay is one of the best globally

Someone earning 5,000 CHF ($5516) in Switzerland 🇨🇭 or £5000 in has better quality of life than someone earning equivalent un the United States. CHF is also equally stronger than $$. So I really don’t see any need why anyone would move from 🇩🇪 or 🇨🇭 to 🇺🇸 if quality of life is what they’re after.

While I have not lived in before (but I did my findings those times when I was interested in doing my phd in or Zurich in 🇨🇭) but I’ve lived in the USA before and I’m going back there soon by God grace. But if I had the chance to obtain funding for my phd in , I would have preferred..but I couldn’t despite how much I tried.

Hannania:


1. PHD in is for 3 years, while it's 4 or 5 in the USA(Averagely 5 years).

2. PHD in is regarded as employment mostly, and you're paid better than the stipend you get after Funding in the US.(Not scholarships like DAAD though).

3. After your PHD in US, Your best bet for Green card is EB1 visa and it's by luck. The new German law enacted this year can give you German citizenship a year after your PHD if you learn German to C1 level. With the German port, you can apply for EBI visa.

4. With a PHD ission, you can get appointment in days for , and visa approval max of 4 weeks.

I stated all those for because I know people have limited knowledge and you'll mostly get for US. If I was you though, I'll go for , earn more in three years , get my citizenship with one of the strongest port on planet earth.

Congratulations if you have both though

For number 3, why the need to apply for US EB1 visa if he already has a German port? German port is way stronger than a US port. Only Japan and Singapore port can match a German port in strength