Transferring To University: Options For F1 Accounting Students

F-1 students are eligible to transfer to another school or program of study. The procedure is simple and does not require a lot of paperwork. To be eligible for a transfer, F-1 students must maintain their student status at their original school and request their current school to transfer/release their SEVIS record to their new school. The designated school official (DSO) will then work with the student and the DSO at the new school to choose a transfer release date. The new DSO will then have 30 days to advise the old DSO and USCIS that the transfer has taken place.

F1 visa holders can transfer to another school

F-1 visa holders are eligible to transfer to another school or program of study. The procedure is simple and does not require a lot of paperwork.

To be eligible for a school transfer, you must have maintained your student status at your original school. If you have dropped out of classes or failed to maintain a full course of study, your F-1 visa will become invalid, and you will not be allowed to transfer schools until you have applied for and been granted "reinstatement".

To initiate the transfer process, you must first gain acceptance into another Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school. Once you have received written confirmation of acceptance, you must bring the following to your designated school official (DSO):

• Written confirmation of acceptance to the new SEVP-certified school
• Contact information for the new school's DSO
• The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) school code for the new school

Your DSO will then work with you and the DSO at the new school to choose a transfer release date. This is the date when the new school takes responsibility for your SEVIS record. Factors such as travel and employment plans and the projected start date of your new program will be considered when selecting this date.

On the transfer release date, your previous school will no longer have access to your SEVIS record, and the new DSO can create a new Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status". It is important to obtain this new form as soon as possible and to register for classes within 15 days of the program start date listed on the new Form I-20 to maintain your status.

If you have arrived in the United States but wish to transfer before beginning classes at the school listed on your Form I-20, you must inform the DSO at that school of your arrival and your intention to transfer immediately to another SEVP-certified school. You must provide proof of acceptance to the new school and enroll in a full course of study within 30 days of arriving in the United States.

Please note that acceptance into another school does not automatically transfer your SEVIS record (I-20) to the new school. You must request your current school to transfer/release your SEVIS record to the new school before you can begin full-time studies there. Additionally, if you had a work permit (employment authorization document or EAD) at your previous school, it will be automatically canceled upon transfer, and you will need to apply for a new one if you become eligible to work again.

The transfer process is fairly simple and does not require a lot of paperwork

Transferring to a different school as an F-1 visa holder is a fairly simple process and does not require extensive paperwork.

To begin the transfer process, you must first be accepted by a new USCIS-recognized school. School application procedures vary, so be sure to check the requirements and timing of your desired school. Once accepted, the new school will send you a new Form I-20 AB/I-20 ID.

After receiving your new Form I-20, you must inform your current designated school official (DSO) of your intention to transfer. Provide your DSO with written confirmation of your acceptance at the new school, as well as the contact information of the new school's DSO.

Your current DSO will then work with you and the new school's DSO to choose a transfer release date. This date is when the new school's DSO takes responsibility for your SEVIS record. Factors such as travel and employment plans, as well as the projected start date of your new program, will be considered when selecting this date.

It is important to maintain your student status at your original school up until the transfer release date. Failing to do so will result in an invalid transfer.

Once the transfer release date arrives, your new DSO will have access to your SEVIS record and can create a new Form I-20 for you. Be sure to register for classes and contact your new DSO within 15 days of the program start date listed on your new Form I-20 to maintain your status.

Additionally, if you had a work permit at your previous school, it will be automatically canceled upon transferring, and you will need to apply for a new one if you become eligible to work again.

The transfer process for F-1 visa holders is straightforward and primarily handled by the designated school officials at both your current and new schools.

Students must maintain their F1 status at their original school

F-1 students are eligible to transfer to another school or program of study. However, it is crucial to maintain F-1 status at the original school by pursuing a full course of study or engaging in post-completion optional practical training (OPT) until the official transfer. Here are some key points to consider:

• Maintaining F-1 Status: To be eligible for a transfer, F-1 students must maintain their status at their original school. This means continuing their full course of study or OPT until the transfer is finalized. Failing to do so will result in the invalidation of the F-1 visa, requiring "reinstatement" to regain valid student status.
• Acceptance to a New School: F-1 students must first gain acceptance to another Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school. This involves submitting applications and meeting the requirements of the new school.
• Working with Designated School Officials (DSOs): Once accepted by a new school, students should bring written confirmation of acceptance, contact information for the new school's DSO, and the SEVIS school code for the transfer-in school to their current DSO. The DSOs from both schools will then collaborate to choose a transfer release date, taking into account travel and employment plans and the projected start date of the new program.
• Transfer Release Date: The transfer release date is crucial as it marks the shift in responsibility for the student's SEVIS record from the DSO at the original school to the DSO at the new school. This date is carefully chosen to accommodate the student's academic, travel, and work plans.
• Obtaining a New Form I-20: After the transfer release date, the new DSO will create a new Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status." It is essential to obtain this new form as soon as possible to maintain valid student status.
• Registering for Classes: To maintain their status, students must register for classes at the new school within 15 days of the program start date listed on the new Form I-20. They should also contact their new DSO within this timeframe.
• Work Permits: If a student had a work permit (employment authorization document or EAD) at their previous school, it will be automatically canceled upon transfer. They will need to apply for a new work permit if they become eligible to work again.
• Transfer Timing: It is important to maintain valid student status up until the transfer date. Failing to do so will result in falling out of status, invalidating the transfer.

Students must request their current school to transfer their SEVIS record to their new school

The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is a web-based system that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) uses to maintain information on F-1 and M-1 students who come to the United States to attend SEVP-certified schools. All international students have a SEVIS "record" that is managed by the Office of International Programs. This record is updated as needed with any changes to the student's academic program, major or degree field, residential address, employment authorization information, and anticipated graduation date.

F-1 students are permitted to transfer between SEVP-certified schools. The transfer process involves electronically moving the student's SEVIS record while retaining the same SEVIS identification (ID) number. The process includes setting a date for the transfer of responsibility for the student's record and ensuring that the transfer-in school updates and activates the student's record.

To initiate the transfer, the student must first be accepted by the SEVP-certified transfer-in school. The student must then notify the designated school official (DSO) at the transfer-out school of their intention to transfer and provide the following information:

• Written confirmation of acceptance at the new school
• Contact information for the new school's DSO
• The SEVIS school code for the transfer-in school to ensure accurate transfer

The DSO at the transfer-out school is responsible for coordinating with the student to establish a transfer release date, which is the date that access to the student's SEVIS record will shift to the DSO at the transfer-in school. The transfer release date takes into account the student's academic needs, travel plans, and the projected program start date at the new school.

Once the transfer release date is set, the DSO at the transfer-out school releases the student's record to the transfer-in school. The DSO at the transfer-in school can then enter information into the Draft Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status." If the student's record was in Active status at the previous school, the DSO at the new school can create an Initial record, print a Form I-20, and register the student within 30 days of the program start date.

It is important to note that the DSO at the transfer-out school must transfer the SEVIS records for any F-1 student accepted at another SEVP-certified school. Refusing to transfer the SEVIS record for financial or business reasons is not permitted.

Therefore, it is crucial for students to request their current school to transfer their SEVIS record to their new school. This ensures a smooth transition between educational institutions and helps maintain their legal status in the United States.

Students must report to their new school within 15 days of the program start date

F-1 students are eligible to transfer to another school or program of study. The procedure is simple and does not require a lot of paperwork.

To begin the transfer process, students must bring the following to their designated school official (DSO):

• Written confirmation of acceptance to another Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school
• Contact information for the new school's DSO
• The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) school code for the transfer-in school

The DSO will then work with the student and the DSO at the new school to choose a transfer release date. This is the date when the DSO at the new school takes responsibility for the student's SEVIS record. Factors such as travel and employment plans, as well as the projected start date of the new program, will be considered when selecting this date.

Once the transfer release date arrives, the DSO at the previous school will no longer have access to the student's SEVIS record, and the new DSO can create a new Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status." It is important for students to obtain this new form, signed by the new DSO, as soon as possible.

To maintain their status, students must register for classes and contact their new DSO within 15 days of the program start date listed on the new Form I-20. This means that students must report to their new school within 15 days of the program start date.

If students have arrived in the United States but wish to transfer to a new school before beginning classes at the school listed on their Form I-20, they must inform the DSO at the original school of their arrival and their intention to transfer immediately to another SEVP-certified school. They must also show proof of acceptance to the new school. In this case, students must report to and enroll in a full course of study at the new school within 30 days of arriving in the United States.

It is important to note that acceptance to another school does not guarantee an automatic transfer of the student's SEVIS record (I-20) to the new school. F-1 students must request their current school to transfer or release their SEVIS record to the new school before they can begin full-time studies there.

Additionally, students must maintain their F-1 status by pursuing a full course of study or engaging in post-completion optional practical training (OPT) until the transfer release date.

Frequently asked questions