Transferring Your Immigration Status
As a student with F-1 or J-1 status, your active immigration record can only be maintained by one institution in SEVIS. If you decide to transfer to another institution, your SEVIS record must be transferred. Transfer means changing universities or schools at the beginning, middle or end of a degree program or between degrees. Please consult with your international advisor and the international advisor at your new institution before transferring. Note that accepting transferred coursework is up to the institution you are transferring to. Consult with the Admissions office at your new institution about the acceptability of coursework being transferred.
Eligibility for a SEVIS Record Transfer
You are eligible for a transfer if your F-1 or J-1 status is valid at the time of transfer and have maintained your status. To transfer your SEVIS record you must meet one of the following:
- You are currently enrolled at SIUE
- F-1 students: 60 days after the program completion date or OPT end date, whichever is later.
- J-1 students: before the end date on your DS-2019
If you have been accepted to a new school in the U.S., you might be eligible to have your SEVIS record transferred. Having your SEVIS record transferred allows you to:
- Keep the same SEVIS ID number
- Not pay the I-901 SEVIS fee again
- Remain in the U.S. while you wait for your new program to start
Transferring Your SEVIS Record Procedures
Students transferring from SIUE to another institution must complete the Transfer Out Request below. You will need to upload a copy of your new institution's admission/acceptance email or letter and the SEVIS school code of your new institution. This can be found on your acceptance letter or obtained from your new DSO.
- Complete the SIUE Transfer-Out Request form. Your acceptance letter from your new institution will be required.
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Wait for your transfer out request to be processed by an ISSS advisor.
Please plan in advance. After we receive your transfer out request, it can take up to 5 business days to complete your SEVIS record release. Be sure to submit all required documents to prevent delays in processing.
If you are planning on transferring mid-semester and do not intend on completing your currently enrolled courses, you must withdraw from classes at SIUE at the Service Center in Rendleman Hall, Room 1309.
The immigration advisor will release your SEVIS record to the new school on the date that you choose. The date of your release depends on your new program start date. We recommend choosing a SEVIS record release date prior to the start date of your new institution's Orientation start date.
To be eligible, you must maintain your immigration status at SIUE until the day you are transferred. F-1 students: your new program must begin within 5 months of your last enrollment at SIUE or the last day listed on your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) if you are on Optional Practical Training (OPT).
Be aware that transferring your SEVIS record to another institution effectively ends any employment you may have associated with SIUE, including on-campus employment, OPT or CPT. Students may not continue to work at SIUE or with SIUE approved CPT or OPT after their SEVIS record has been released to another institution.
Traveling as a Transferring Out of SIUE Student
If the F-1 visa in your passport is still unexpired, you may continue to use it with your new school’s I-20. You will keep the same SEVIS number and you are considered to be a returning student.
If you need to apply for a new visa, you do not need to pay a new SEVIS fee because it is a continuation of the same SEVIS record.
Transfer In Procedures
Students transferring to SIUE from another institution must complete the admission process and receive a new I-20 or DS-2019. Contact the Office of Graduate and International Admissions at intladm@siue.edu for questions. You will need to follow your previous institutions transfer instructions to transfer your SEVIS record to SIUE.
Traveling as a Transferring in to SIUE Student
Students who are transferring to SIUE may travel and re-enter the U.S. any time between school programs. However, transfer students must re-enter with their SIUE I-20 or DS-2019 and not the previous school's document.
