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Changing Schools? Transfer your SEVIS Record

Overview

When transferring from one school to another school within the United States, you must carefully follow certain procedures to maintain lawful F-1 or J-1 status. Please note that in this context the term "transfer" means changing schools, either in the middle of a degree program or between degrees, regardless of academic level. For high school, undergraduate, and graduate students alike, if you are currently attending school in the U.S. and plan to attend a new school, you will likely need to request the transfer of your SEVIS record.

Eligibility for a SEVIS record transfer

F-1 Students:

  • The start date at your new school must be within 5 months of your "transfer out" date in SEVIS or your program completion, whichever is earlier. For students authorized for post-completion OPT, the new program start date must be within 5 months of your SEVIS "transfer out" date or the end of the OPT authorization, whichever is earlier. If the period of time between programs is longer than 5 months, your SEVIS record does not need to be transferred. Your new school will issue a new initial I-20 and new SEVIS number.
  • You must currently be maintaining F-1 status.
  • If you have already graduated, you must be within your 60-day grace period.

J-1 Students:

  • You must currently be maintaining J-1 status.
  • You must coordinate your SEVIS transfer before your current DS-2019 expires.

Transfer procedures

To the UW

To transfer to the University of Washington, you must first apply for admission to the UW. Once admitted, notify the international student adviser at your current school of your intention to transfer. Your adviser will transfer your SEVIS record to the UW. Only your current school has access to your SEVIS record; therefore, the University of Washington cannot issue your UW I-20 (F-1 status) or DS-2019 (J-1 status) until your SEVIS record is transferred. In most cases, the "transfer out" date will be the last day of your final term at your current school.

You must complete the New Student Online Check-in prior to registering for classes at the UW. International Student Services (ISS) will release the hold on your registration and update your SEVIS record to complete the transfer process.

UW Educational Outreach is a separate division within the University of Washington. If you have an I-20 from Educational Outreach and will begin a full-time degree program at the UW, you will need to transfer your SEVIS record from UWEO to the appropriate UW admissions office. This will be coordinated between your UWEO adviser and Graduate or Undergraduate Admissions.

From the UW

To transfer from the University of Washington to another school in the U.S., you must first apply and be accepted to the new school.

After your acceptance, notify the ISS:

  1. Submit a Transfer Out Request Form along with proof of admission from your new school. This can be a copy of your acceptance letter or an email from your new school's admissions office to your ISS adviser. The "transfer out" date is the date that UW ISS loses access to your SEVIS record and your new school gains access to your SEVIS record. This date should be after your final quarter at UW.
  2. Allow 1 week for processing.
  3. Your new school cannot issue your I-20 or DS-2019 until the SEVIS "transfer out" date. Please note that after this date the UW will no longer have access to your SEVIS record, so request a transfer only after your plans are certain.
  4. You will receive an email confirmation from your ISS adviser.
  5. If you are registered for a future quarter at UW, don't forget to withdraw and fulfill any financial obligations with the University before you transfer to your new school or leave the U.S. Note the tuition forfeiture and refund policies posted by Student Fiscal Services.

Frequently Asked Questions


  1. Can I stay in the U.S. between programs?

    F-1 students: You may stay in the U.S. if the SEVIS record transfer procedures are followed. If the period between programs is longer than 5 months, your new school must issue a new initial I-20 with a new SEVIS number. You will need to leave the U.S. within your 60-day grace period and re-enter no earlier than 30 days before your new program start date.

    J-1 students: Please consult your international student adviser.

  2. How does my SEVIS transfer affect my travel plans?

    Generally, if you will travel outside of the U.S. between programs, you must use the I-20 or DS-2019 from your new school when you re-enter. It is important to discuss your travel plans with your international student adviser at both your current and new school so that an appropriate "transfer out" date can be coordinated.

  3. Can I use my current visa even though I am changing schools?

    As long as you have followed the proper transfer procedures, you will be able to use your current, unexpired visa to re-enter the U.S. even though it has your previous school name printed on it.

  4. How does my SEVIS transfer affect my on-campus employment eligibility?

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

  5. Can I request to transfer my SEVIS record after I have graduated?

    F-1 students: You are eligible to request a SEVIS record transfer during the 60-day grace period following your program completion. If you are authorized for OPT you can request a SEVIS record transfer during your OPT period and within the 60-day grace period following your OPT expiration date.

    J-1 students: Please consult your international student adviser.

  6. How does my SEVIS transfer affect my OPT authorization?

    If you are currently authorized for OPT, choose carefully when deciding what date you would like your SEVIS record transferred to your new school. OPT authorization ends on the "transfer out" date, even if the EAD card is not yet expired. If you plan to work between programs while on OPT coordinate with your international student adviser to determine an appropriate "transfer out" date.

  7. Do I need to report to my new school's international office?

    F-1 students: Yes. You must report to your new school's International Office within 15 days of the program start date listed on your I-20.

    J-1 students: Yes. You must report to your new school's International Office within 30 days of the program start date listed on your DS-2019.

    Different schools have different check-in procedures; check your admissions material for more information.

    For more information about school transfer procedures, contact the University of Washington International Student Services (ISS).