confusion about "Annotation" on F-2 visa stamp..Please help!

[illusion]

Hi,

I find myself in the following situation:

- My husband is in the USA for past about 2 years on student visa (F-1)
-I had applied for F-2 last year and got it stamped for 5 years at Islamabad consulate, but did NOT travel to the USA.
-My visa stamp contains an Annotation that specifies the School that issued the I-20
-My husband has transfered to another school and the NEW school has issued an I-20 for me.
-Now I plan to travel to the USA and join my husband.

My question is: will I have to apply for F-2 again as my new I-20 is NOT issued by the same school that is mentioned on my visa stamp(Annotation)....or I can travel to the USA on my current visa along with New I-20 ?

I would really appreciate your advice.

Regards,

[txh1b]

You can enter with an unexpired visa with the old school name annotated on it. Carry your new I-20 and copies of the old I-20 for F2 as well as the same for the F1 visa holder which indicate that your husband has indeed transferred to the new school and maintaining proper status. A letter from the new school's ISO indicating the F1 holder is in proper status would also be a good document to carry.

Best person to confirm this would be the ISO person from the school that issued the transfer I20 and a new I20 for you.

[illusion]

txh1b: Thank You for your response.

Update: The DSO/ISO who issued the new I-20 told me to contact the US consulate that issued the F-2 visa. The consulate person advised me to apply for visa again, even though my visa is not expired. I don't really get their point, as my visa catogary is same, purpose of my visit is going to be same and my husband is maintaining valid student status.
Is F-2 visa school based, I mean, If you transfer to another school your visa does not remain valid anymore?

Any insights please.

[txh1b]

New visa is not needed for F1 students that change schools. Same thing applies to F2 holders as well. Only exception is if the school is changed even before entry to US, then a new visa is needed. If the spouse is maintaining the same SEVIS number, new visa is not needed AFAIK.

Since the consulate asked you to apply for a new visa, go ahead and do it.