Question about re-entering

[NervousChemBiologist]

I am currently in a masters program in the US and have accepted to join the PhD program in the same department and in the same University. I am an international student and am considering to go back home during the break. But I heard that you cant return to the US more than month prior to the start date specified on the I-20. But I was planning on returning early to get a head start in my research. I want to know if I can return back early considering I will be in the same university and just getting a "change of level" in my I-20 or I will have to stay home for the break and return only one month prior to the start of the program?

[fuzzylogician]

This is something that you should really consult with your international students office about. If you have to get a new I-20 then you can't enter on your new status more than 30 days before the start date on that I-20. I think the change of level is different and should allow you to travel whenever you want, so you should be able to come back early. BUT again, don't just trust anonymous people on an internet forum, ask someone who really knows. You should probably be traveling on your new I-20 anyway so you need to get it before you travel. Ask the people at your school what they recommend.