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⇒ Student & Scholar Advising ⇒ Students ⇒ F-1 Students ⇒ SEVIS Transfer from Another US Institution to Indiana University Bloomington

SEVIS Transfer from Another US Institution to Indiana University Bloomington

International students who wish to transfer to Indiana University Bloomington are considered “SEVIS transfer students” if they meet any of the following conditions and have otherwise maintained their F-1 status:

• they are currently in the United States and studying at a US institution and will transfer to Indiana University;
• they have completed a program at a US institution and will begin a new program at IU in the Fall, Spring, or Summer session;
• they have attended a US institution or completed a program in the United States, and are currently outside the United States, but plan on re-entering to attend Indiana University;
• they have completed a program and are currently pursuing OPT in the United States but will start a new degree program at Indiana University.

Every student who wishes to enter the US in F-1 status is issued an I-20 with a unique SEVIS identification number.  A transfer of a student’s SEVIS record from one institution to another allows a student to keep his or her unique ID number, and maintaining this number for the duration of your stay in the US is critical for maintaining legal status.

Note: A SEVIS transfer is a transfer of immigration documentation and does not imply the transfer of any academic records.

What do I do to transfer to Indiana University Bloomington?

• If you are currently in the United States and studying at a US institution and will transfer to Indiana University:

  • You must request (often in writing) that the institution you now attend enter the SEVIS database to release your SEVIS record to Indiana University Bloomington.  The International Office at your institution will be able to help you with this request.  You will likely be asked by your institution for documentation that shows that you have been accepted by the Office of International Admissions at IUB.

• If you have completed a program at a US institution and will begin a new program at IU in the Fall, Spring, or Summer session:

  • In addition to requesting that your former institution release your SEVIS record to IUB, you will need to keep in mind that you must request your release and have that release granted within sixty (60) days following the completion of your former program. Additionally, you must start your program at IUB within five (5) months of the completion of your former program.
    • EXAMPLE: If you completed your Bachelor’s degree at your former school on May 4, you must request and receive a SEVIS transfer no later than July 3 AND you must begin your new program no later than October 3.

• If you have attended a US institution or completed a program in the United States, and are currently outside the United States, but plan on re-entering to attend Indiana University:

  • In addition to requesting that your former institution release your SEVIS record to IUB, you will need to keep in mind that you can be outside the US for no more than five (5) months without being registered in coursework in the US to be eligible for a visa transfer.  If you plan to be outside the US for more than five months and do not intend to register in US-based coursework during this time, or have been outside of the US for more than 5 months already, you will not be eligible for a SEVIS transfer.  IUB will need to make a new I-20 with a new SEVIS ID for your re-entry, you will need to pay the SEVIS fee again and you will need to apply for a new F-1 visa per Department of State regulations.

• If you have completed a program and are currently pursuing OPT in the United States, but will start a new degree program:

  • In addition to requesting that your former institution release your SEVIS record to IUB, you will need to keep in mind that your OPT will terminate on the date that your SEVIS record is released to IUB.  Therefore, if your OPT start date is May 1st and you request that your former institution release your SEVIS record to IUB on June 10th, your OPT ends on June 10th and you would no longer be eligible to work using that authorization.  OPT authorization is not transferrable.
  • If you intend to have your SEVIS record transferred after your OPT ends, you will need to keep in mind that you must request your release and have that release granted within sixty (60) days following the completion of your OPT.

Once you have completed the requirements listed for your circumstance and once you have been formally admitted, your new I-20 will be created by the Office of International Admissions.  They will make arrangements to either send the I-20 to you (if you plan to travel outside the US) or keep the document for your arrival in Bloomington.

Once your SEVIS record has been released to IU Bloomington, you MUST enter the US on the IU Bloomington “Transfer Pending” I-20 if you plan to travel outside the US!

For Students Attending IU Bloomington’s Intensive English Program (IEP) or Another IU Campus:

Students who are studying in IUB’s Intensive English Program or at one of IU’s other campuses must contact the Office of International Services when preparing to have their SEVIS records released to IUB.  In addition to requesting that your former institution release your SEVIS record to IUB, you will need to provide the Office of International Services with the following documents:

1. Financial documentation that shows where the funding for your education comes from (financial amounts needed will vary with program costs)
2. Documentation of admission to IU Bloomington (for IEP students, this will be your official admission letter from the Office of International Admissions; for students from another IU campus, this will be your intercampus transfer form)
3. Copies of your passport name page and the front and back of your I-94 card
4. A completed I-20 request form (available from the OIS)

These documents can be mailed, provided in person, or faxed to the Office of International Services.  Once OIS receives these documents AND your former institution releases your SEVIS record to IUB, a new I-20 will be created for you and arrangements to provide the I-20 to you will be made.