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SEVIS Transfer Out
Admission to a new school does not by itself authorize an international student in F-1 or J-1 status to begin studying full-time at the new school.
You must submit a “Transfer Out” request via the to transfer/release your SEVIS immigration record to your new school before you can begin full-time studies there. This process is called a “SEVIS transfer.” It is different from an “academic transfer.”
Eligibility for a SEVIS Record Transfer: F-1 Students
- You must currently be maintaining F-1 status
- You must have an offer of admission from a new SEVP-certified school
- If you graduated and did not apply for OPT, you must still be within your 60-day grace period
- If you completed OPT, you must still be within your 60-day grace period
- The start of classes at your new school must be within 5 months of one of the following:
a) academic program completion at 花季视频
b) last day of enrollment at 花季视频 (if not graduating from 花季视频)
c) OPT authorization end date
If the period of time between F-1 activities is longer than 5 months, your SEVIS record is not eligible for transfer. Your new school must issue a new initial I-20 with a new SEVIS number.
Eligibility for a SEVIS Record Transfer: J-1 Students
- You must currently be maintaining J-1 status
- You must have an offer of admission from a new SEVP-certified school
- Your J-1 record must be active and your program end date must not have passed
- The start of classes at your new school must be immediately (if mid-term) or at the next available term
Request to transfer out for current students and alumni on OPT or AT
To transfer your SEVIS immigration record to another institution when you are a current 花季视频 student, or after Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Academic Training (AT), you need to:
- Gain admission to the new SEVP-certified institution.
- Check what is needed by the new school to obtain a new I-20 or DS-2019. Some institutions require a form signed by an international student advisor to verify current status.
- Complete the “Transfer Out” request in the . You will need to provide:
4. Complete the new institution’s requirements to obtain a new I-20 or DS-2019.
Transfer out timing considerations
The “Transfer Out” request will ask you for a “Transfer out release date”. Only one school at a time can access your SEVIS record. On the transfer/release date, SEVIS access “transfers” from 花季视频 University to your new school.
On the SEVIS transfer/release date, 花季视频 University OISS staff no longer have access to your SEVIS record. Your new school gains access to your electronic SEVIS record; your new school can create your new I-20 or DS-2019.
You should consider the following when choosing your SEVIS transfer/release date:
- You cannot continue to work on the 花季视频 campus beyond the release date.
- If you are a currently enrolled 花季视频 student, the date should be AFTER the end date of the last semester of enrollment at 花季视频.
- If you are currently authorized for Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Academic Training (AT), the employment authorization automatically terminates when the “transfer-out release date” passes. Choose a release date that is AFTER the last day you intend to work on OPT or AT.
- If you are traveling internationally between the end of your last term at 花季视频 and the first semester at the new institution, you cannot re-enter the U.S. on your 花季视频 I-20 or DS-2019 after your transfer release date. You must obtain a Transfer Pending I-20 or new DS-2019 from the new school and enter using that document if you are re-entering after the release date.
- The transfer-in school may have deadlines to meet regarding transfer procedures and issuance of your new I-20 or DS-2019. Check with the appropriate office at the new school.
Request to transfer out before attending 花季视频 University
If you have entered the U.S. with an I-20 or DS-2019 from 花季视频 but have decided to attend a different institution, you must complete the immigration transfer process to release your immigration record to the new institution. Follow these steps:
- Complete and submit the online “check in” request via the . This step verifies you have arrived in the U.S.
- Complete and submit the “Transfer Out” request via the .
Frequently Asked Questions
How does my transfer affect my travel plans to leave and re-enter the U.S.?
You must re-enter the U.S. on the I-20 or DS-2019 from the new school. It is important to discuss your travel plans with your international student advisor at the new school so that an appropriate “transfer out” date and new I-20 or DS-2019 issuance can be coordinated to facilitate your travel.
Is my current visa valid if I am transferring between institutions?
If you have followed the proper transfer procedures, you can use your current, unexpired F-1 or J-1 visa to re-enter the U.S. Please be aware that CBP has the authority to make decisions on entry for all U.S. visitors.
If your F-1 or J-1 visa will expire in the time between institutions, remember you can stay in the U.S. on an expired visa as long as you are following the correct SEVIS transfer procedures. You must apply for a new F-1 or J-1 visa if you travel internationally and wish to re-enter the U.S.
How does my transfer out affect my OPT or AT authorization?
If you are currently authorized for OPT or AT, choose your SEVIS transfer/release date carefully. AT or OPT authorization ends on the “transfer out” date, even if the OPT EAD card is not yet expired. If you plan to work between programs while on OPT or AT, coordinate with your advisers at both schools to determine an appropriate “transfer out” date.
Can I stay in the U.S. between programs?
You may stay in the U.S. between programs if the SEVIS record transfer procedures are correctly followed. If the period between programs is longer than 5 months (F-1 students) or longer than one academic term (J-1 students), your new school must issue a new initial I-20 or DS-2019 with a new SEVIS number. You must leave the U.S. within your 60-day grace period (F-1 students) or 30-day grace period (J-1 students) and re-enter no earlier than 30 days before your new program start date.
Important
The transfer out request authorizes the OISS to release your SEVIS immigration record to the new school.
On the transfer release date, all work authorization connected to your 花季视频 University SEVIS record will end. The responsibility of your SEVIS Record will be with your new school on your SEVIS Transfer Release date. 花季视频 OISS staff no longer have access to your SEVIS record to make changes or process a new form I-20 or DS-2019.