Questions from Designated School Officials: Who can make SEVIS changes for a transfer student?
October 3, 2014
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: Who is responsible for making changes to a transfer student’s Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record?
Answer: The DSO at the student’s current (transfer-out) school must initiate the transfer process in SEVIS. The DSO at the student’s new (transfer-in) school must complete the process in SEVIS.
If you are the transfer-out DSO of a student who wishes to transfer to another SEVP-certified school, make the following two changes to their SEVIS record:
1. Enter the student’s new or transfer-in school, as identified by the student.
2. In consultation with the student, select the transfer release date.
As the current (transfer-out) DSO, you have control over the student’s record in SEVIS until the transfer release date and you retain all reporting responsibility related to the student. As of the release date, the transfer-in school is granted full access to the student’s SEVIS record and becomes responsible for that student. The transfer-out school and DSO will no longer have access to change that student’s SEVIS record, but retain ability to view historic records.
If you are the transfer-in DSO, you are responsible for issuing the student an initial Form I-20 and must change the student’s status from initial to active in SEVIS when the student arrives on campus. This update completes the transfer process in the system.
If you experience issues or questions at any stage of the student’s transfer process, email the SEVIS Help Desk for technical support at SEVISHelpdesk@ice.dhs.gov or call at 800-892-4829 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET.