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SEVIS Transfer F-1/J-1 Students

The benefits and steps to transferring your SEVIS record to UMD or from UMD to another U.S. institution. 

SEVIS Transfer In

Congratulations on joining the University of Maryland!

Complete your iTerp Checklist - After you receive your admission or invitation, we will email you to obtain your UMD I-20 (F1) / DS-2019 (J-1) by completing the checklist in iTerp.

On the iTerp eForm titled, F-1/J-1 Transfer Form Required, select "Yes" and answer all the questions.

SEVIS Release Date - ISSS will process your UMD I-20 or DS-2019 once your SEVIS record is released. After review and approval of the checklist you will receive your I-20 via email and DS-2019 by mail.

Arrival to Maryland and SEVIS activation

Within the first 2 weeks of your arrival to the UMD, you must complete the arrival procedures. F-1 students will register for their required number of courses during their academic orientation.

Once you have completed orientations and checked in with our office, we will issue you your new I-20 / DS-2019. Receipt of the new documents completes the SEVIS transfer process

The SEVIS School Code is: BAL214F00061000
Approval Date:  January 10, 2003

The contact person for the ISSS Office is:

Sarah Kim
Pre-Arrival Manager
Phone: (301) 314-7744
Fax: (301) 314-3280
Email: sdkim@umd.edu

International Student and Scholar Services
University of Maryland
1128 H.J. Patterson Hall
College Park, MD 20742

If you are transferring your active SEVIS record to the University of Maryland from your previous institution and will remain inside the U.S. throughout the transfer process, then you do not need to pay the SEVIS fee or obtain a new visa, even if your F-1 visa has expired.

Yes. However, if you leave the country after your visa expired, you will need to apply for a new F-1 visa with the I-20 issued by the University of Maryland to re-enter the United States and return to the University of Maryland campus. Since your SEVIS number will remain the same, you do not need to pay the SEVIS fee again.


SEVIS Transfer Out

F-1 and J-1 students planning to start a new full-time program after your enrollment with University of Maryland or the end of your OPT/AT may be able to transfer their SEVIS record to their new institution. Before completing the transfer out process, students should discuss their plans with a UMD international student advisor and a DSO/ARO at their new institution.

  • Be maintaining status at your current institution
  • Be admitted to a full-time program at a SEVIS approved institution
  • F-1 students: The course of study at the transfer-in school must begin at the next available term or session, which must be no more than 5 months from the end of the student's studies at the transfer-out school
  • J-1 students: Begin immediately after your current DS-2019 end date
  • Request the transfer within the required deadlines:
    • F-1 students completing their current program of study or OPT/STEM must transfer their SEVIS record to the new institution within 60 days from the last day of their program (I-20 end date, or OPT end date).  Classes at the new school must begin within 5 months of the I-20 end date.  
    • F-1 students who are not completing their current program of study should discuss a transfer timeline with a UMD international student advisor
    • J-1 students must transfer before the end of their DS-2019.
SEVIS Transfer Eligibility

Students who transfer their SEVIS record between academic programs often see several advantages over receiving a new initial I-20 from the new school. Some of the advantages include, but are not limited to:

  • Keep the same SEVIS number
  • Do not need to pay a new SEVIS I-901 fee
  • Not subject to the 30-day entry restriction
  • You may remain in the US between programs
  • May have some or all the time spent at your previous institution count towards the one full academic year provision for employment and practical training (check with your new institution)

For more information on each of these, please contact your international student advisor at your new institution.

NOTE:  If you do not complete the transfer process by the deadlines, you will violate your visa status.

Any current authorized on- or off-campus employment will end as of the transfer release date.

The transfer out process can begin as soon as you are admitted to a new institution. Please follow the steps below to request that UMD transfer your immigration record to your new institution. Remember: failure to complete the transfer process in a timely manner is a violation of your status. Loss of status will exclude students from benefits such as authorized employment.

  • Gather the necessary information to complete the transfer eform.
    • Admission letter to new school
    • SEVIS code of new school
    • SEVIS release date (see information below regarding selecting a transfer release date)
  • Submit the completed Transfer Out e-form to ISSS via iTerp ( Once you are logged in click F-1 Student Services> Transfer Out). 
    • Copy of your admission letter from the new institution
    • Your new school may also require that we complete one of their forms, you may upload that document in iTerp.
  • An ISSS advisor will review your transfer out request and will initiate the release of your F-1 record in SEVIS.  You will be notified via email when the form has been approved, the transfer out will be effective based on your requested SEVIS release date.  ​
    • NOTE: you may receive an email from ISSS approving this transfer prior to your transfer release date. ISSS advisors will schedule the transfer to happen on your requested release date. The transfer is approved electronically on the scheduled release date. It is recommended that you follow up with your new school after the release date to discuss the process to receive your new I-20.

Your iTerp request will ask you to identify a transfer release date. This is the date by which UMD will release your SEVIS record to the new institution. Students should give careful consideration to their transfer release date as it will be the final date your immigration record will exist with UMD.

  • Students who are registered for classes should not select a release date prior to the end of the semester. 
    • Students who plan on withdrawing from the current semester should contact ISSS to discuss the timing of the withdrawal request and the transfer release date.
  • F-1 students completing their current program of study or OPT/STEM must transfer their SEVIS record to the new institution within 60 days from the last day of their program (I-20 end date, or OPT end date)
  • J-1 students must transfer before the end of their DS-2019.

Any authorized on- or off-campus employment, including any remaining time on OPT or STEM, will end as of the transfer release date (even if the EAD card is still valid).

Students on OPT/STEM should make sure to complete all reporting requirements before the transfer release date. Any authorized OPT/STEM will end as of the transfer release date (even if the EAD card is still valid).

Although it is preferable to transfer your SEVIS record prior to its termination, it is possible to transfer a record in terminated status to a new institution. Prior to requesting a transfer, you should talk to your new school and verify that they are willing to receive a terminated transferred record.

Requests to transfer out after the termination of your SEVIS record cannot be accomplished in iTerp. To request a transfer after your SEVIS record has been terminated, please work individually with an ISSS advisor to submit the following information:

  • Admission letter to the new institution
  • Letter or statement from your new institution’s DSO that confirms they understand your SEVIS record has been terminated and that they will work with you on a reinstatement application
  • The new institution’s SEVIS school code
  • Your requested SEVIS release date

SEVIS records are marked as completed after the student has finished all permissible time in F-1 status, including the 60-day grace period following the end of the academic program or any authorized OPT/STEM. Unlike a terminated record, it is not possible to transfer a completed SEVIS record. Students should discuss the possibility of beginning a new period of F-1 status with their new institution.

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