F-1: Transfer Out
Universities are required to inform US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) of all F-1 transfers from one school to another, regardless of whether or not the student intends to travel outside of the United States. An F-1 transfer means that you entered the U.S. on one school’s I-20, and you are changing to the I-20 of another school.
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR): 8 CFR 214.2 (f)(8)(i)
Eligibility
| You must currently be maintaining F-1 status |
| If you have already graduated and are not on OPT, you must be within your 60-day grace period. |
| You must have proof of admissions to your new institution |
| Student will start the new program with the first available session, which begins within five months of whichever following date is earlier: | Student is on post-completion optional practical training (OPT), and will resume classes within five months of whichever following date is earlier: |
| Transfer Release Date. | Transfer Release Date. |
| Current program completion date in the SEVIS record. | Authorized OPT end date. |
Steps to Requesting a Transfer Out
Prior to submitting your transfer out request to ISSS, we encourage you to reach out to your new institution to request their transfer-in deadline and transfer-in form in. Once you have your transfer-in form and transfer deadline, please complete the following steps:
- Log into your ISSS portal and go to tab 4
- Click on the circle icon with an arrow inside title Transfer Out
- Fill out information regarding new institution and select a date that you wish your record to be transferred over
- Read through the information
- Upload your admissions letter and transfer-in form
- Fill in the your start date for your new institution
- Hit Submit