F-1 Transfer Procedure
An F-1 transfer procedure is an immigration, not an academic, procedure. It applies to any international student who is currently in lawful F-1 status and has an active F-1 SEVIS record at one school who intends to begin a new full-time program at another institution. Since the student intends to be a full-time student at another institution, their F-1 sponsorship must be transferred from their current institution to the new institution.
F-1 students currently under the visa sponsorship of another U.S. institution who intend to begin full-time studies at Teachers College must arrange to have their F-1 SEVIS record transferred to Teachers College. For more information about the F-1 transfer process for incoming students, please visit the F-1 Transfer Process page. Incoming students must submit the Initial I-20 Request including the SEVIS Transfer-in form via TC-Compass to transfer their F-1 sponsorship to Teachers College.
If you are an F-1 student currently enrolled at Teachers College and intend to begin full-time studies at another academic or language institution, you should arrange to have your F-1 records transferred out . You can submit this request by submitting the SEVIS Transfer Out Request via TC-Compass.
You are eligible to transfer your F-1 SEVIS record to another school if:
- You are maintaining valid F-1 status at TC and have an active SEVIS record
- You have been accepted as a full-time student at your new institution
- You will begin studies at your new institution within five (5) months of your last day of studies at TC or your post-completion OPT end date
- You are eligible for a Form I-20 at your new institution
If you meet the eligibility requirements, you must submit the SEVIS Transfer Out request to the OISS at least 14 business days before your 60-day grace period is over. Once your SEVIS record is completed after 60 days of the end date of your I-20 or EAD card, you may no longer be eligible for SEVIS transfer.
The transfer process is handled electronically. If you are in valid F-1 status, TC will “release” your SEVIS record to your new school. Only after your SEVIS record is released to your new school, can the new school issue you an I-20 for your new program. Therefore, you must be very sure what school you are transferring to and when you will begin studies. If your new institution maintains multiple campuses, make sure to provide the OISS with the correct school code and name of the campus you will be attending.
Important Notes
- You are required to specify a “release date,” which is the date your F-1 SEVIS record will become available to your new institution. You can request cancellation of the transfer up to the release date, but once the release date has been reached the transfer cannot be canceled or reversed.
- Once your F-1 release date has been reached, your new school will become your immigration sponsor. You must contact them regarding procedures concerning completion of the F-1 transfer process, I-20 issuance, travel, and F-1 employment benefits.
- Once your F-1 release date has been reached, any employment based on your previous status as an F-1 student at Teachers College is terminated. You are no longer eligible to engage in on-campus employment or practical training, including post-completion Optional Practical Training, based on your I-20 from Teachers College.
- Keep all I-20s for your records, since they may be required for future applications for employment or related immigration benefits.