Transferring Your SEVIS Record to Another School After Graduation as a F-1 Student

F-1 regulations permit a student to transfer from one Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) approved school to another. To do this, both schools must update the student’s record in SEVIS. After you have been accepted to St. Edward’s University, it is your responsibility to notify ISS of your plans to transfer. You can transfer in the middle of your studies (before graduation), but we first strongly recommend talking to your Success Coach and to ISS about your plans.

If you plan to enroll in another full-time program soon after your last enrollment or end date (usually graduation) or the end of your OPT, you may be able to transfer your SEVIS record to your new school.  Do note that this information pertains to your F-1/J-1 immigration record only and will have no impact on your academic record.

Advantages

Transferring your SEVIS record has a number of advantages. If you are eligible for the transfer, advantages include:

• You keep your current SEVIS ID number and F-1 record
• You do not have to pay the SEVIS fee again
• If your F-1 visa is still valid, you can continue to use it until its expiration date. It is OK if your old school's name is on your visa.
• You will be allowed to remain in the U.S. or travel in and out of the U.S. in between programs
• You are not subject to the 30-day entry restriction (entering no earlier than 30 days before your program starts) and can enter the U.S. at any point before your program
• Work authorization benefits: As long as you are otherwise eligible and enrolled in an eligible program, you may be able to apply for off-campus employment through OPT or CPT at the new school, if you will have already built up enough full-time study on your SEVIS record to qualify (one year of full time enrollment). Policies on work authorization do vary from school to school and you will need to work with your new school for any questions you have about their CPT, OPT, or other employment policies.

Transfer Eligibility Requirements and Timing When Graduating or During OPT

To be eligible for a SEVIS transfer, you must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Be accepted into a SEVIS-approved institution for a full-time program
2. F-1: Begin your courses at the new school within 5 months of your last enrollment (I-20 end date) or post-completion OPT end date (found on your EAD).
3. Transfer your record within the required timeframe: F-1 students: we will have to transfer your record within 60 days of your I-20 end date or within 60 days of your OPT completion. Your courses (not orientation) at the new school must begin within 5 months of your I-20 end date or post-completion OPT end date.

SEVIS Transfer Procedures

As you transfer your SEVIS record, you will need to work with international offices at both St. Edward’s University and your new school. Contact your new school to find out about their transfer-in requirements.

Instructions for Transferring your SEVIS Record From St. Edward’s University

1. Work with your current school to choose a Transfer Release Date, which is the date we will release your SEVIS record to you new school.