Recently, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) updated its F-1 Student Transfer section on ICE.gov/SEVP to provide designated school officials (DSOs) with more clarification on the transfer process.

An F-1 student may transfer between SEVP-certified schools if they are maintaining their status and have been accepted into another SEVP-certified school. The transfer process electronically moves a student’s Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record while retaining the same SEVIS identification (ID) number for the student.

Schools must transfer a student’s SEVIS record at the student’s request, and DSOs must complete the process in SEVIS. Some schools have created paper or electronic transfer release forms to support their process. SEVP does not require any type of paper or electronic transfer release form to approve a student’s transfer, but encourages schools in developing such transfer forms for their own administrative purposes.

To start the transfer process, the student must bring their DSO the following information:

• Written confirmation of their acceptance by the new (i.e., transfer-in) school.
• Contact information for the transfer-in school’s DSO.
• The SEVIS school code for the transfer-in school to ensure transfer to the correct school.

SEVP recommends that DSOs work with students to choose a transfer release date. The date should be based on the student’s academic needs, travel and work plans, and projected program start date at the transfer-in school. Remember that the student must maintain F-1 status at the transfer-out school by pursuing a full course of study or engaging in post-completion optional practical training until the transfer release date.

Regulations governing school transfers are in 8 CFR 214.2(f)(8). You can also find more detailed information about how to perform the necessary actions in SEVIS in the Transfers section of the SEVIS Help Hub.