falibay wrote:
I have not dealt with F-1 for couple of years but if I recall, a transfer would require a new I-20/F-1. I could be wrong though.
A F-1 visa is a visa that allows you ENTRY into the US. It is not tied to any school, it is just an entry permit for someone to enter the US to study. Once you are in the US, you don't even need a valid F-1 visa anymore. An expired F-1 visa while you are living in the US does not mean you staying in the US illegal; it just means that should you leave the US for any reason, you will need to apply for another entry visa (be it F-1 or something else) before you are allowed to re-enter.
An I-20 is something that allows you to STAY in the US, and it is not only tied to a school but also a SPECIFIC program. That means even when you stay in the same school but switch majors, you will need to apply for a new I-20. While you are in the US, you should always have a valid I-20, otherwise you would be classified as an illegal resident.
A little late on the response but hope this clarifies things a little.