Questions from Designated School Officials is a blog series on Study in the States for designated school officials (DSOs). Each month, we will answer a question that will help you advise your F and/or M students. If you are a DSO and would like to submit a question, you can email us or ask us via social media, your Field Representative or the SEVP Response Center. We may edit questions for clarity and consistency and may not feature all submissions on Study in the States.

Question: When is an F or M student eligible to transfer?

Answer: An F student  who is maintaining status may transfer to another SEVP-certified school by following the notification procedure prescribed in 8 CFR 214.2(f)(8)(ii). To remain in the United States when transferring between schools, the F student must begin classes one of the following times (whichever is earlier):

• The next available term’s start date
• Five months after:
  • The last date of attendance or optional practical training (OPT) authorization at the transfer-out school, or
  • The end of the grace period (of 60 days) after the program end date or OPT end date

A student whose Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record has been terminated may be eligible to transfer. For transfer of a terminated SEVIS record, the student should give the DSO at the transfer-out school proof of acceptance at the transfer-in school, and arrange a transfer-release date in SEVIS. If a student thinks his or her SEVIS record has been terminated in error, the DSO at the transfer-in school may find it appropriate to seek correction through the SEVIS Help Desk. Otherwise, the student should give the DSO at the transfer-in school evidence verifying eligibility for reinstatement.

If the student will be applying for reinstatement, after the transfer release date has been reached, the DSO at the transfer-in school can follow the procedures described in section 5.5.2 of SEVP’s Transfer FAQ to issue a Form I-20 with a DSO recommendation for reinstatement. The student must apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for reinstatement pursuant to 8 CFR 214.2(f)(16), and maintain a full course of study at the transfer-in school while the application for reinstatement is pending. 

An M student who is maintaining status is eligible to transfer if meeting any of the first three conditions and both of the final two conditions:

• Within six months of admission to the United States as a bona fide M student, or
• Within six months of change of status to M student, or
• Unable to remain at the school to which the student was initially admitted due to circumstances beyond the student's control, and both of the following.
• Pursuing a full course of study at the transfer-out school and
• Financially able to attend the transfer-in school.