Transferring 

• SEVIS Transfer

  A SEVIS transfer is the process of moving your SEVIS record from your current school to a new school after you are admitted. Admission to a new school alone does not automatically allow an F-1 student to begin studies at another school. A SEVIS Transfer, if eligible, has several benefits:

  • You do not pay the SEVIS I-901 fee again.
  • You can remain in the U.S. in between programs if there is less than 5 months between the end of your current program and the start of your new program.
  • You maintain the same SEVIS ID number.
  • If your F-1 visa is still valid, you can continue to use it until its expiration date, even if your old school's name is on your visa.
  • You may travel in between programs and are not subject to the 30-day entry restriction (entering no earlier than 30 days before your program starts).

  A SEVIS transfer is recommended in the following situations:

  • If you graduate from a U.S. high school and plan to study at SBU (Transfer IN).
  • If you are a current student at another U.S. school and plan to continue studies at SBU (Transfer IN).
  • If you are a current SBU student and plan to continue studies at another U.S. school (Transfer OUT).
  • Former SBU students currently on Optional Practical Training (Post-Completion, STEM or Cap Gap) who plan to resume studies at another U.S. school (Transfer OUT).

  If you are a SBU student who has a valid SBU I-20 and you will continue studies in a new degree program at SBU, a SEVIS transfer is not needed. Instead, you will be issued a "Change of Education Level" I-20 after your admission is finalized . Follow the instructions detailed on our Change of Degree Level page to request you updated I-20 in accessVIS. Your change of education level I-20 must be issued before the end of your 60-day grace period.

   

• Transfer-In

  Transfer-In

  International students who are admitted to Stony Brook University from another U.S. college, university, high school or language program in F-1 status may need a SEVIS Transfer.  This is the process of moving your SEVIS record from your current school to Stony Brook University after you are admitted.

  Admission alone does not automatically allow an F-1 student to begin studies at SBU.

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  Eligibility Requirements

  • You must be maintaining F-1 status.
  • You must have an offer of admission from SBU.
  • If you already graduated or completed OPT, you must request the SEVIS transfer within your 60-day grace period.
  • The start of classes at SBU must be within 5 months of one of the following:

  - Academic program completion at your prior institution; 

  - Last day of enrollment at your prior institution;

  OR

  - OPT authorization end date (end date on EAD)

  • For students who are transferring before the end of their OPT, the start of classes must be within 5 months of the requested SEVIS I-20 transfer/release date.

  If the period of time between F-1 activities is longer than 5 months, your SEVIS record is not eligible for transfer. You must receive a new initial I-20 with a new SEVIS number.

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  Transfer-In Process

  Step 1: Speak to your current school

  Upon gaining admission to Stony Brook University, you must notify your current International Student Advisor of your intention to enroll at SBU and inquire about their transfer-out process.  Once you have completed step 3 (see below), we will contact  your current institution to request the release your SEVIS record to SBU. 

  Please be aware that Stony Brook University is unable to provide you with an I-20 until your SEVIS record has been officially transferred and released.

  Step 2: Request your new I-20

  Once you have been admitted to SBU, login to accessVIS and submit all required forms within the "SBU Issued Form I-20/DS-2019 Request" linked from the accessVIS Home Page under "Requests."

  Step 3: Submit the SEVIS Record Transfer Information eForm

  You must submit the "SEVIS Record Transfer Information" eForm in accessVIS. The international advisor at your current school will receive an email with instructions on releasing your SEVIS record.

  Step 4: Receive your I-20 from Stony Brook

  Stony Brook will issue you a Transfer-Pending I-20.

  Step 5: Complete the New Student Check-in and Orientation process

  You must complete the "New Student Check-in and Orientation" process in accessVIS.

  Important Note: Students who leave the United States between transfers must use Stony Brook University’s I-20 when arriving for inspection at the port of entry. Please keep all previous I-20s for intake procedures.

• Transfer-Out

  Transfer-Out Students

  Admission to a new school does not by itself authorize an international student in F-1 status to begin studying full-time at the new school.

  You must request that Visa and Immigration Services transfers or releases your SEVIS record to your new school before you can begin full-time studies there.

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  Eligibility

  • You must currently be maintaining F-1 status.
  • You must have an offer of admission from a new school.
  • If you already graduated or completed OPT, you must still be within your 60-day grace period.
  • The start of classes at your new school must be within 5 months of the academic program completion at SBU, the last day of enrollment at SBU (if not graduating from SBU), your OPT authorization end date, or for students not completing OPT period, the requested SEVIS I-20 transfer/release date.

  Note: If the period of time between F-1 activities is longer than 5 months, your SEVIS record is not eligible for transfer. Your new school must issue a new initial I-20 with a new SEVIS number.

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  Important Considerations

  • You do not have to pay the SEVIS fee again.
  • You can remain in the U.S. in between programs.
  • You maintain the same current SEVIS ID number, which may make you eligible for certain benefits at your new school earlier, such as CPT eligibility.

  The U.S. government considers all the following examples to be possible “SEVIS transfer” situations:

  • Completing a program at one school and starting a new program at a different school.
  • Currently studying at one school and deciding (before completing program) to change to a new school.
  • Currently on your OPT period and starting a new program of study at a different school.

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  How to Request a SEVIS Transfer

  If you've been admitted to another U.S. institution and wish to have your SEVIS record transferred, you must complete the "Transfer Out Request" in accessVIS.  

  Upload the following items and indicate your preferred SEVIS transfer release date:

  • Acceptance letter issued by the U.S. school or institution you wish to transfer to.
  • A receipt from Student Accounts showing all outstanding balances have been paid.
  • ‘Transfer In’ form from new school/program (if applicable).
• Frequently Asked Questions

  Frequently Asked Questions

  What is the SEVIS transfer release date?

  Only one school at a time can access your F-1 SEVIS record. On the transfer release date, SEVIS access “transfers” from your current school to your new school. The SEVIS transfer affects your F-1 benefits, including employment, travel, and I-20 validity.

  Although the transfer release date is often at the end of the academic semester, your SEVIS record can be released at any point the above noted criteria are satisfied and an earlier release date is determined based on your new institution’s academic calendar.

  What happens on the SEVIS transfer release date?

  On the SEVIS transfer release date:

  • Your current school loses access to your electronic SEVIS record.
  • Your new school gains access to your electronic SEVIS record, and can now create your new I-20.
  • OPT authorization is canceled, regardless of the end date printed on your EAD.
  • On-campus work authorization is canceled.

  Can I stay in the U.S. between programs?

  You may stay in the U.S. in between programs/F-1 activities if the SEVIS record transfer procedures are correctly followed.

  If the period between programs is longer than 5 months, your new school must issue a new initial I-20 with a new SEVIS number. You must leave the U.S. within your 60-day grace period and reenter no earlier than 30 days before your new program start date.

  How does my SEVIS transfer affect my travel plans?

  You must enter the U.S. using the I-20 from your new school. It is important to discuss your travel plans with your international student adviser at the new school so that an appropriate “transfer out” date and new I-20 issuance can be coordinated to facilitate your travel.

  Can I use my current visa even though I am changing schools?

  As long as you have followed the proper transfer procedures, you will be able to use your current, unexpired F-1 visa to reenter the U.S. even if it has your previous school printed on it.

  How does my SEVIS transfer affect my on-campus employment eligibility?

  You may only work on campus at the school that has access to your SEVIS record. Check with the international student adviser at your new school to verify employment eligibility.

  Your on-campus work authorization for your current school ends on the last day of your last enrolled semester or the transfer release date, whichever is later.

  Can I request to transfer my SEVIS record after I have graduated?

  You are eligible to request a SEVIS record transfer during the 60-day grace period following your program completion.

  However, be sure to submit the "Transfer Out" request (for transferring OUT), or the I-20 Request (for transferring IN) in accessVIS at least 10 days before the end of your 60-day grace period. If you are authorized for OPT you can request a SEVIS record transfer during your OPT period and within the 60-day grace period following your OPT expiration date.

  How does my SEVIS transfer affect my OPT authorization?

  OPT authorization ends on the “transfer out” date, even if the EAD card is not yet expired. If you plan to work between programs while on OPT, coordinate with your international student adviser at both schools to determine an appropriate “transfer out” date.

  Do I need to report to my new school’s international office?

  Yes. You must report to your new school’s International Office within 15 days of the program start date listed on your I-20. If you are transferring to SBU, this is done electronically on accessVIS.

  Can I travel outside of the U.S. in between programs after my transfer-out date?

  You may stay in the U.S. in between programs/F-1 activities if the SEVIS record transfer procedures are correctly followed.

  If the period between programs is longer than 5 months, your new school must issue a new initial I-20 with a new SEVIS number. You must leave the U.S. within your 60-day grace period and reenter no earlier than 30 days before your new program start date.