Information for F-1 Students Transferring

For F-1 immigration purposes, you are considered a “SEVIS transfer” student if you have been studying in F-1 status at another institution and will be transferring your active SEVIS immigration record to a new institution to begin a new academic program. This transfer status is for immigration purposes only and may or may not be your academic status as a student at the new institution.

You can transfer your completed or terminated SEVIS record to the new institution. After the transfer is complete, you will need to request reinstatement. Alternatively, you can apply for a new SEVIS registration, travel, and reenter the U.S. in F-1 status using the new I-20.

Request a SEVIS Transfer

1. Confirm Eligibility: Contact your current school/immigration sponsor and confirm your eligibility for a SEVIS transfer. Transfer must be requested within a certain period of time after completing your current program/OPT period, so work with your current school to establish this timeline and avoid problems during the transfer process.
2. No Gap of More than 5 Months: There cannot be a gap of more than 5 months between your last day of enrollment or transfer release date (whichever comes first) and the first day of classes in your program at the new institution. If you are in a post-completion OPT period, there cannot be a gap of more than 5 months between the end of your OPT or transfer release date (whichever comes first) and the first day of classes in your program at new institution.
3. Request SEVIS Transfer: Follow your current school's process to request a SEVIS transfer. Provide the new institution's Transfer Form as part of the application. Your transfer release date must be BEFORE the start of your program at the new institution (ideally at least 10 business days before).
4. Complete the New International Student Application: Complete the New International Student Form on the platform designated by the new institution.

You can and should submit your New International Student Application to the Office of International Services (OIS) before your SEVIS release date so that we can review your documents and ensure there are no problems. However, OIS cannot issue your new I-20 until after the SEVIS release date.

You will receive an email from OIS as soon as your Pending Transfer I-20 is issued – within 10 business days of your submission OR the transfer release date, whichever is later.

Complete OIS Check-in

Complete the OIS check-in at the appropriate time depending on your individual travel plans and schedule – no later than 15 days after the start of the period. If you are in the US and plan to travel abroad before beginning your program at your new institution, you must wait until you return to the US to submit the OIS check-in form.

Pending Transfer I-20

After processing your transfer in SEVIS, OIS will issue your I-20 with a “Pending Transfer” notation as the reason for issuance. This is normal and means your SEVIS record was transferred correctly. Once you complete the OIS check-in and begin your program, any subsequently issued I-20s will show that the transfer is complete.

Staying in the US Between Programs

Transfer students may remain in the US between programs as long as their SEVIS transfer occurs within the appropriate period and the Pending Transfer I-20 is issued in a timely manner. The OIS check-in must be completed for your new program regardless of international travel.

Traveling with the Pending Transfer I-20

If you are outside the US when the transfer I-20 is issued, you will be eligible to enter the US at any time before the start of your program at the new institution. There is no 30-day entry limitation for transfer students. You must have a valid visa upon entry and must apply for a new visa if the current one in your passport is expired or expires before your travel date.

Additionally, please note that a travel signature is not required when the OIS issues the Pending Transfer I-20, and is not required when entering for the first time prior to the start of your program at the new institution. After arriving and completing OIS check-in, a travel subscription will be required for subsequent travel outside of the US.

SEVIS Transfers and Work Authorization

Transfer students can often work on the new institution's campus between programs, although student employment policies may limit this (contact the admissions department/potential employer for details). However, your SEVIS record must be transferred to the new institution, your I-20 from the new institution must be issued, and you must complete the OIS check-in before beginning any work on campus.

Transfer students who were in status for a full academic year before starting at the new institution and were not in an OPT/STEM OPT term may be eligible for CPT in the first semester.

Transfer students who have been in a full term of OPT or STEM OPT are not eligible for CPT in the first academic year. If the OPT was during the summer break between programs, they may be eligible for CPT.

Transfer Forms from Other Schools

The Office of International Services at the new institution does not complete transfer eligibility or verification forms from other schools because they are not required by policy. Relevant information can be found in the SEVIS record itself. OIS will never transfer a completed or complete record to another school without the express permission of a DSO at the transferring school.

I hope this information helps you understand the SEVIS transfer process and its implications. If you have specific questions, contact your new institution's international services office or an immigration consultant.