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Overview
Admission to a new school does not automatically allow you to start full-time studies there. If you are an F-1 international student, you must request to transfer your SEVIS (I-20) record from the University of Washington (UW) to your new school before starting classes. This process, called a SEVIS transfer, differs from an academic transfer..
Benefits of a SEVIS Transfer
- You do not pay the $350 SEVIS fee again
- You can remain in the U.S. in between programs
- You maintain the same current SEVIS ID number
- You main retain eligibility for certain benefits, such as CPT, at your new school earlier.
Common SEVIS Transfer Scenarios
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Completing a program at one school and starting a new program at a different school:
- A student graduates with a bachelor’s degree and will begin graduate study
- A student graduates from high school in the U.S. and will begin study at a community college or university
- A student completes an intensive English program and will start a university degree
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Currently studying at one school and deciding (before completing program) to change to a new school
- A student is studying for a bachelor’s degree. The student decides after only two quarters at their current school that they want to change to a different school.
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Currently doing OPT and starting a new program of study at a different school Examples:
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- A student graduated with a bachelor’s degree and started a 12-month standard OPT. During their OPT they also apply to graduate schools. They decide to start a Master’s degree that will begin before or after completion of the 12-month standard OPT.
- A student graduated with a Master’s degree and started a 12-month standard OPT. Then they started a STEM OPT extension period. They receive admission to a new program of study that will begin before or after the STEM extension OPT finishes.
Eligibility for an F-1 SEVIS Record Transfer
To qualify for a SEVIS transfer, you must:
- Be maintaining valid F-1 status
- Have an admission offer from your new school
- Be within your 60-day grace period if you’ve graduated or completed OPT
- Begin classes at your new school within 5 months of:
- UW program completion
- Your last date of enrollment (if not graduating)
- Your OPT end date
- Your requested transfer out date (if not completing OPT)
If more than 5 months pass between F-1 activities, you are not eligible for a SEVIS transfer and must request a new initial I-20 from your new school.
SEVIS Transfer Out Date
Only one school at a time can access your F-1 SEVIS record. On the SEVIS Transfer Out date, SEVIS access “transfers” from the On this date: UW to your new school.
- The UW ISS office loses access to your electronic SEVIS record
- Your new school gains access to your electronic SEVIS record; your new school can create your new I-20 only after the SEVIS transfer out date
- OPT authorization is canceled (regardless of end date printed on EAD)
- On-campus work authorization is cancelled
- The UW I-20 is no longer valid for travel to the U.S.
Choosing a SEVIS Transfer Out Date
The following tabs provide guidance for choosing your SEVIS I-20 transfer out date. Remember ISS will take time to process after you submit your Transfer Out request. You cannot cancel a transfer on or after the transfer out date; you can only request to cancel the SEVIS transfer out prior to the transfer out date.
Recommended Transfer Out Date:
One day after the end of finals week in your last quarter of enrollment at UW, per the academic calendar
Note:
- UW cannot transfer your SEVIS record before the end of your last quarter of enrollment.
- If you work on campus and want to continue working on campus temporarily after your final quarter at UW, consult your primary ISS adviser about an appropriate SEVIS transfer date.
Recommended Transfer Out Date:
One day after the end of finals week in your last quarter at UW, per the academic calendar
Note: UW cannot transfer your SEVIS record before the end of the quarter.
Recommended Transfer Out Date:
One day after last day of finals in your graduation quarter at UW, per the academic calendar or during your 60-day grace period.
Note: UW cannot transfer your SEVIS record before the end of the quarter.
Recommended Transfer Out Date:
As soon as possible, and at least 3 weeks before the end of your 60-day grace period
Recommended Transfer Out Date:
As soon as possible
Recommended Transfer Out Date:
As soon as possible
Note:
- Request the transfer at least 3 weeks before your 90-day-limit of unemployment ends.
- If you exceed 90 days of unemployment, your F-1 status is considered invalid.
Recommended Transfer Out Date:
One day after your last date of employment
Note:
- Discuss your final employment date with your supervisor
- Remember, OPT authorization is canceled on the transfer out date (regardless of the end date printed on EAD)
Applying for a SEVIS Transfer Out
Gather the necessary information/documents to complete the online ISS SEVIS I-20 Transfer Out Request:
- Offer of admission (scan or photo of admission letter or email with offer of admission)
- New school’s SEVIS code (contact your new school if you do not know what this is)
- Decide your requested SEVIS transfer out date based on the Transfer Date chart.
Using the chart above and in consultation with UW ISS and your new school, decide on an appropriate Transfer Out Date that allows you to maintain your F-1 immigration status and provides enough time for processing by both UW ISS and your new school.
Through your MyISSS. portal, submit the Transfer Out request. Allow time for ISS processing. Please note that after the transfer out date the UW will no longer have access to your SEVIS record, so request a transfer only after your plans are certain.
You will receive an email confirmation of your SEVIS transfer from ISS.
- 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.
- If your new school requires information from UW ISS, please use our confirmation email as proof of eligibility and maintenance of F-1 status. ISS does not complete transfer eligibility or verification forms for students.
- Contact the new school’s International Admissions office to arrange when and how to receive your new I-20.
Frequently Asked Questions
ISS does not complete transfer eligibility or verification forms for students. ISS will never transfer terminated or completed SEVIS records without first consulting with a DSO at your new school. And, we confirm that you have maintained F-1 status before we complete every transfer. We encourage you to share any information regarding past enrollment, CPT, OPT, or reduced course loads with your new school upon their request.
You may stay in the U.S. in between programs/F-1 activities if the SEVIS record transfer procedures are correctly 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 must leave the U.S. within your 60-day grace period and re-enter no earlier than 30 days before your new program start date.
You must enter the U.S. on the I-20 from the new school. It is important to discuss your travel plans with your international student adviser at the new school so that an appropriate “transfer out” date and new I-20 issuance can be coordinated to facilitate your travel.
As long as you have followed the proper transfer procedures, you will be able to use your current, unexpired F-1 visa to reenter the U.S. even though it has your previous school name printed on it.
If your F-1 visa will expire in between degree programs, remember you can stay in the U.S. with an expired F-1 visa as long as you are following the correct SEVIS transfer procedures. You must apply for a new F-1 visa if you travel internationally. For more information review Visas information.
Graduating Students:
Your UW on-campus work permission ends the last day of your final quarter.
While the UW allows student hourly workers to continue employment for one quarter following graduation, students in F-1 status cannot work on campus after graduation because of U.S. government rules.
Students Transferring Schools to Complete Current Degree Level:
You may only work on campus at the school that has access to your SEVIS record. Contact the international student adviser at your new school to verify employment eligibility. Your UW on-campus work authorization ends on the SEVIS transfer release date.
You are eligible to request a SEVIS record transfer during the 60-day grace period following your program completion. However, remember to allow for ISS processing; contact ISS at least 3 weeks before the end of your 60-day grace period to request the SEVIS transfer. 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.
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 at both schools to determine an appropriate “transfer out” date.
Yes. You must report to your new school’s International Office within 15 days of the program start date listed on your I-20.
Your new school will issue you a new I-20 to show you have completed the school-to-school SEVIS record transfer process correctly. This update changes the issuance reason from “transfer pending” to “continued attendance” as in this example.
