Transferring to a New School (F-1 & J-1)
Guide
You can academically transfer to a new SEVP-certified school, but you must also transfer your SEVIS record in order to maintain your lawful status. You must meet all requirements and follow the steps.
Note: a SEVIS transfer is separate from transferring academic credits, which you arrange with your new school.
Written by Robin Catmur-Smith, Managing Director of the International Student Resource Center
Last updated: July, 2026
An overview of transferring to a new school for F-1 and J-1 students
Transferring an F-1 SEVIS record
You can transfer if you're maintaining F-1 status (you have an active SEVIS record), you've been admitted to a new SEVP-certified school, and you qualify for a new transfer I-20.
Steps:
Complete the transfer-out process with your current school (some require you to finish the term first).
Provide your admission letter, the new school's SEVIS code, and DSO contact info, plus your immigration documents.
Work with both schools to set a SEVIS release date. After it passes, your old school loses access and any work or enrollment there must stop.
Time any travel carefully: if re-entering before the release date - use the old school's I-20; if entering after the release date, use the new school's I-20.
Start at your new school within 5 months, and check in within 15 days of the I-20 start date so your record is set to Active.
If you need an extension of your I-20 form, be sure to communicate with your DSO at your new school regarding the new extension application procedures under the new Loss of D/S regulation.
If you've finished your program or OPT, complete the transfer within the 60-day grace period or 30 day grace period if you entered the U.S. after September 15th, 2026..
Reference: 8 CFR 214.2(f)(8)(ii)
Transferring a J-1 SEVIS record
You can transfer if you're maintaining J-1 status (active SEVIS record and future DS-2019 end date), you've been admitted to a school authorized for J-1 students, your academic objective and J-1 category stay the same, and your program still meets a State Department eligibility basis (e.g., government funding, exchange agreement, or substantial non-personal funding). Both sponsors must coordinate.
Key points:
Your new DS-2019 start date must directly follow your current end date — no gap.
Set a release date with both schools; on Academic Training, choose a date on/after your last authorized workday.
Travel timing mirrors F-1 (old DS-2019 if re-entering before the release date, new one if after the release date).
Check in within 30 days of the new program start date.
If you need an extension of your DS-2019 form, be sure to communicate with your ARO at your new school regarding the new extension application procedures under the new Loss of D/S regulation.
A transfer does not erase the Two-Year Home-Country Requirement. Changing field of study or some degree-level changes may need State Department approval and are rarely granted.
Reference: 22 CFR 62.42
If your SEVIS record was terminated
A transfer after termination is different. You must work closely with both DSOs or AROs and consider an immigration attorney. Options generally include: reinstatement with your current school then transfer; transfer the terminated record to a new school and apply for reinstatement there; or leave the U.S. and re-enter on a new Initial I-20 or DS-2019 form.
