Changing schools and majors while studying abroad: procedures and risks

🔄 Cập nhật lần cuối: 08/10/26

Changing schools while studying abroad or changing majors midway is not uncommon. Some of you realize that your major is not suitable, some of you want to transfer to a school with lower tuition fees or in another city. However, for international students, all changes are tied to the visa. Doing the wrong procedure can cause you to violate visa conditions, lose tuition fees or affect your right to work after graduation.

Before moving: ask yourself 5 questions

1. Is the problem really in the school, the industry, or in the adaptation period (culture shock, study pressure)? See Culture shock when studying abroad.
2. Will the earned credits be recognized by the new school or major?
3. Will current scholarships be lost upon transfer?
4. Does the new program qualify for a post-study work visa?
5. How much does the total cost and study time increase?

Talk to your current school's academic advisor and international student support department before deciding. Many problems can be solved by changing subjects or changing narrow majors within the same school.

Procedures for transferring schools while studying abroad vary by country

Regulations change from time to time. Always check the official website of your immigration agency (Home Affairs, IRCC, DHS, Home Office) and ask your school's international department.

Australia: two important milestones

The first is mold First 6 months: schools only issue release letters when you have an offer from the new school, and usually only for a good reason. Students under 18 years of age require additional parental consent or the school must accept welfare responsibilities. Second is educational level: moving to a lower level (for example from university to diploma) must apply for a new visa, even within the same school. An exception is the case of transferring from a doctorate to a master's degree. See more Australian student visa subclass 500.

Canada: don't "go first, report later"

IRCC warns that if you change schools without updating, your old school will notify you that you are no longer attending. This may cause the permit to become invalid, affecting future applications for a study or work permit. See Canadian study permit.

Common risks

• Loss of paid tuition: most schools do not refund tuition for the semester that has begun.
• Lost scholarship: scholarships are often tied to specific schools and majors. See Conditions for maintaining the scholarship.
• Extend study time: credits are not fully recognized, visa must be extended and living costs increased.
• Impact on post-graduation visa: some work visas require a minimum period of study or qualifying program. See Post-graduation work visa.
• Health insurance: need to update or renew insurance according to the new study period.
• Transfer just because of commission offers or cheap tuition: be wary of offers to transfer to poor quality schools.

6-step safety process

1. Meet with your current school's academic advisor and international student department.
2. Apply and receive an official offer from the new school or program; Please evaluate and recognize credit.
3. Apply for an approval letter or carry out document transfer procedures (release letter, SEVIS transfer...) if necessary.
4. Update or apply for a new visa or study permit according to regulations before starting to study in a new place.
5. Update insurance, accommodation, family newspaper.
6. Withdraw from the old lock properly, save all emails and documents.

Need to fly back home while waiting to enroll in a new school? Please check your re-entry visa before booking ticket back home.

Frequently asked questions

Does changing majors within the same school affect visas?

Usually less than transferring schools, but may still need to update CoE, I-20, CAS or study permit, especially when the length of study or level of study changes.

Do I need to apply for a new visa when changing schools?

Depending on the country and situation: Australia usually does not need it if it is the same level or higher; Canada often needs to adjust licenses; You often need a new CAS and may have to apply for a new visa; America does SEVIS transfer.

Can I take a break from school to think and then transfer?

Abstaining from school voluntarily may violate visa conditions. If you need to postpone, you must go through official procedures with the school and understand the visa consequences.

What if the old school refuses to issue a release letter?

In Australia, you have the right to make a complaint according to the school's internal procedures. If unsuccessful, you can wait 6 months and then transfer without an approval letter.

Changing schools or majors can be the right decision, as long as you follow the correct procedures and anticipate the risks. Ask first, do the paperwork first, then transfer.

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