SEVIS Transfer Out for F1 & J1

• 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.

Students who transfer their SEVIS record in 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 of the previous time spent at UMD 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 DSO/ARO at your new institution.

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.