May 4, 2020 Question of the Week: F-1 Transfers

May 4, 2020

Question: I heard that if I am an F-1 student and planning to change schools then I need to do a 'transfer' process and get a 'transfer I-20'. How does this work?

Answer: F-1 students who are attending one school and who plan to start studies at another school may need to transfer their F-1 sponsorship. Once you have confirmation of admission to your new school (we'll call this the "transfer in" school), you will need to talk to an international student advisor at your current school ("transfer out" school) to let them know that you plan to start studying in a new program at another institution. Your current advisor may need to see your admission letter and talk to you about when to transfer your F-1 records to your new school. To qualify for the transfer:

• you must be in valid F-1 student status at your current school
• there cannot be more than a five month gap between the end of classes at the transfer-out school (or the end of any post-completion Optional Practical Training) and the start of classes at the transfer-in school
• your current school must transfer your SEVIS record to your new school within 60 days of finishing your current program or your post-completion OPT, and before the start of classes at the transfer-in school

We recommend that you start the transfer process only when you have made the final decision about where you will be going - if you have multiple options, make your final decision first, and then arrange to have your records transferred out to your new school. During the transfer period, you are not required to leave the US as long as all deadlines are met.

• If you are a Tufts student planning to transfer to another school, read the instructions about the Transfer-Out process.
• If you are a Tufts student planning to start a new program at Tufts, read the instructions about the Change of Level process.