If you wish to transfer away from the University of Minnesota, ISSS will need to release your SEVIS record to your new school. Staff there will then be able to prepare a Transfer Pending I-20 for you.
Eligibility and Guidelines
Eligibility for an F-1 SEVIS Record Transfer
- You must be maintaining F-1 status.
- You must have a letter of admission from a new school.
- If you already graduated or completed OPT/STEM OPT, you must still be within your grace period.
- The grace period ends either 60 days after graduation/completion of OPT/STEM OPT, or upon your departure from the U.S., whichever comes first.
- The start of your first term at your new school must be within 5 months of one of the following:
- Your academic program completion at UMN
- Your last day of enrollment at UMN (if not completing your UMN degree)
- Your OPT/STEM OPT EAD end date
- Your final day of OPT/STEM OPT employment, if you choose to end your OPT/STEM OPT before the EAD end date
If the start of your first term at your new school is more than 5 months after one of the four bulleted items immediately above, your SEVIS record is not eligible for transfer. Your new school must issue a new ‘initial attendance’ I-20 with a new SEVIS number.
Guidelines for Selecting a Transfer Release Date
| Your Situation at UMN ("Transfer Out" School) | Recommended Transfer Release Date |
|---|---|
You plan to discontinue studies at UMN without completing a degree OR You plan to graduate this current semester and not apply for or use OPT | The day after your most recent semester at UMN, per the academic calendar. For example, if the last day of your most recent semester at UMN is May 10, we recommend a May 11 transfer release date.
|
| You recently graduated, are in your 60-day grace period, and did not apply for OPT | As soon as possible, and at least 2 weeks before the end of your 60-day grace period. Your SEVIS record cannot be transferred after departing the U.S., even if the transfer-in school is willing to accept your SEVIS record. |
| Your OPT is pending or approved by USCIS, but you do not plan to use any OPT | As soon as possible |
| You have a pending or approved OPT application, and plan to use OPT authorization before starting a new degree program | The day after your final day of OPT employment |
| You requested OPT I-20 after program completion, did or did not file Form I-765 with USCIS, but departed the U.S. | Your SEVIS record cannot be transferred after departing the U.S., even if the transfer-in school is willing to accept your SEVIS record. |
Meet with an ISSS Advisor
If you want to transfer to a different school, you should meet with an ISSS advisor to discuss your intent to transfer and to determine your "transfer release date." The transfer release date will be the date you no longer have a formal connection to the University of Minnesota (such as when you no longer have class, employment, etc.).
You should ask the ISSS advisor to process a "transfer release" in SEVIS for you to attend the new school. Please note: You must be certain that you want to attend that particular school. If you have admission applications pending at several schools that you might attend, do not request the transfer release until you have made a final decision on the new school you will attend.
If your new school requires you to submit a transfer recommendation form completed by an ISSS advisor, upload a copy of the form in the "Transfer Out" request you submit in MyISSS.
Please note: If your plans change (for example, you decide to transfer to a different school or you decide to continue employment at UMN for a longer period of time), it is essential that you notify an ISSS advisor immediately. Once your SEVIS record has been transferred, the action cannot be rescinded.
Information About OPT and Transferring Schools
The Department of Homeland Security does not allow a student to pursue Optional Practical Training (OPT) and enroll in a new program of study. If you have OPT authorization and intend to transfer to a new school to begin a new program of study, be aware that your OPT authorization will be voided immediately upon the transfer of your SEVIS record to your new school.
