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University of Florida

SEVIS Transfer Out

Situation: The student is currently in F-1 status and plans to attend another school in the U.S. to continue studying under the F-1 visa status. A SEVIS transfer is required.

If an international student is already present in the United States, either attending another academic institution or on a period of Optional Practical Training, and wishes to move to a new institution, his/her SEVIS record will need to be transferred from the previous school to the new institution. 

When a SEVIS transfer is requested, the F-1 student's (and any F-2 dependents') SEVIS ID number will remain the same, thus keeping the F status intact even if the corresponding F visa is expired. The F visa is an entry document only and must be valid during any entry to the U.S. The corresponding visa may expire while the student is inside the U.S. as long as the student maintains a valid I-20, a valid passport, and remains in Active status in SEVIS. The F-1 visa holder must be in good standing and have maintained appropriate status compliance to qualify for a transfer procedure.

Choosing a transfer date

 

When deciding to request a SEVIS transfer, please consider that:

  • The SEVIS record can only be transferred to one school.
  • The new transfer-in school will be able to issue the new I-20 only after the transfer release date.
  • Students who wish to cancel the transfer of the SEVIS record must notify their ISA at least 5-10 business days before the transfer release date; once the transfer release date occurs, the international advisors will no longer have access to the SEVIS record.

To qualify for a SEVIS transfer, the new program start date (at the new school) must be within 150 days of either when the student completed studies at the previous school or when the student completed OPT/ STEM OPT. The student may choose their Transfer date, meaning the day on which the SEVIS record will formally transfer from one school to the other school.

 

The transfer date chosen should fall within the following parameters:

  • For students who will not graduate, choose a date after the semester ends. Typically, the date will be after the last day of classes.
  • For students who will graduate, choose a date after the degree confirmation date. The date chosen, however, must be within the 60-day grace period immediately following graduation.
  • In both cases, the transfer date must be before the start of the semester at the new school.

For a student who is currently on OPT/ STEM OPT, or whose period of OPT/ STEM OPT will be ending soon, the student may choose a transfer date that is:

  • Either on or before the current OPT/ STEM OPT end date or
  • Within the 60-day grace period immediately following the OPT/ STEM OPT end date and
  • Before the start of the semester at the new school

Any remaining period of employment authorization ends on the transfer date. Thus, if working on OPT/STEM OPT, the transfer date must be after the last day on the job. 

Students who are employed

 

OPS (on-campus): Employment must end before the transfer date for students not graduating; employment must end on or before the Friday before commencement or the transfer date, whichever comes first.

Assistantship/Fellowship (on-campus): Employment must end by the contract end date for the semester (see Letter of Appointment); the transfer date should be selected to be after the contract end date to avoid any issue with being paid after a SEVIS transfer occurs. Typically, the contract end date is May 15 (spring), August 15 (summer), or December 31 (fall).

CPT (on or off-campus): Employment must end by the CPT end date listed on the I-20, or by the Friday before commencement, or by the transfer date, whichever comes first.

OPT/STEM OPT: Employment must end before the transfer date or the EAD card expiration date, whichever comes first.

Transfer-Out Process

 

Please gather the following documentation:

  • Admission Letter to the New Transfer-In School. The SEVIS record cannot be transferred without an admission letter to the new school.
  • The new Transfer-In School’s SEVIS Release/Transfer-In Form (if needed): Contact the new transfer-in school to ask them to provide their form. Complete the section of the form that the F-1 student is required to complete. If the new transfer-in school does not have a SEVIS Release/Transfer-In Form, it is not required.

Once you have these documents, click the following button to start the Transfer Out Request: 

F-1 TRANSFER OUT REQUEST


An email will be sent when the SEVIS transfer is complete. Once the transfer date occurs, please follow up with the new school about obtaining an I-20 from them.

Frequently Asked Questions for F-1 Students

Students are eligible to request a SEVIS record transfer during the 60-day grace period following the program completion. For those on OPT/STEM OPT, they may request a SEVIS record transfer during the OPT/STEM OPT period and within the 60-day grace period following the OPT/STEM OPT expiration date.

The student may only work on campus at the school that has access to their SEVIS record. Check with the international student adviser at the new school to verify employment eligibility.

Students may request a SEVIS record transfer during their OPT period and within the 60-day grace period following the OPT/STEM OPT expiration date, provided the student has maintained F1 status while on OPT/STEM OPT. Once the SEVIS record is transferred, the student may no longer work. The remainder of the OPT/STEM OPT period is void as of the SEVIS transfer release date or EAD card expiration date, whichever comes first.

The student may remain in the US between programs if the following is true:

  • the SEVIS record can be transferred in accordance with transfer regulations, and
  • the new program starts within 5 months (150 days) of either:
    • the last day in attendance at UF
    • degree confirmation date
    • the last day of employment on OPT/STEM OPT or the OPT/STEM OPT card expiration date, whichever comes first.

If the period between programs is more than 5 months (150 days), the student’s SEVIS record cannot be transferred, and the student must depart the US within the 60-day grace period. The new school must issue a new Initial I-20 with a new SEVIS number. The student must then apply for a new F1 visa, which will match the new SEVIS number. If the visa is approved, the student may then re-enter the US no earlier than 30 days before the new program start date on the Initial I-20.

If the period between programs is more than 5 months (150 days), the student’s SEVIS record cannot be transferred, and the student must depart the US within the 60-day grace period. The new school must issue a new Initial I-20 with a new SEVIS number. The student must then apply for a new F1 visa, which will match the new SEVIS number. If the visa is approved, the student may then re-enter the US no earlier than 30 days before the new program start date on the Initial I-20.

If the proper transfer procedures have been followed and the student’s SEVIS record can be transferred, the student will be able to use the current, unexpired visa to re-enter the U.S. Even though the visa has the previous school’s name printed on it, if the SEVIS number is the same and the visa has not expired yet, it can be used for re-entry into the U.S.

Yes. All SEVIS transfer students must report to the new school’s International Office within 15 days of the program start date listed on their I-20. Different schools have different check-in procedures; check with the international student’s office at the new school for more information.