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

SEVIS Transfer to Another US Institution from Indiana University

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 maintain this number for the duration of his or her stay in the US is critical for keeping your legal status.

• A SEVIS transfer is a transfer of immigration documentation and does not imply the transfer of any academic records.
• Although you may be applying to multiple institutions, Indiana University may only transfer your SEVIS record to one institution.
• The transfer release date will be the day you complete your program or the final day of the last semester that you are enrolled at Indiana University, whichever is later.
• If you decide to cancel your transfer, you must notify the Office of International Services, Indiana University Bloomington before your transfer release date.  Once the transfer release date has been reached, Indiana University will no longer have access to your SEVIS record.  All travel and employment benefits authorized through Indiana University will end on your transfer release date.
• If you are traveling outside the US prior to beginning the program at your new school, please be advised that you must re-enter the US with the new school’s I-20.
• You must report to the new school within 15 days of the start of the new SEVIS document.

For all students who request a SEVIS transfer from Indiana University Bloomington:

If you are considering having your SEVIS record released so that you may attend another institution, you will need to request this transfer in writing through the iStart system.  To perform this action, you will need to take the following steps:

1. Log in to iStart

2. On the left side of the page, click “SEVIS Transfer Out.”

   1. Complete this E-Form.  Take special note of the date you are requesting that the OIS release your SEVIS record to your new institution.
3. Once you have completed and submitted the E-Form, you will be prompted to provide the Office of International Services with a copy of a letter or memo stating that you have been admitted by the Admissions Department at your new institution.

In addition to taking this action, you will need to consider the following guidelines (depending on your situation):

1. If you are currently attending IUB, have not completed a degree program, and wish to transfer your SEVIS record to attend another institution:

   1. In addition to requesting your request for a SEVIS transfer through iStart and providing the documentation of admission to your new institution, you will need to make sure to request and receive your SEVIS transfer before the start of the next academic term (Fall or Spring).

2. 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:

   1. In addition to requesting that IUB release your SEVIS record to your new institution through iStart and providing the documentation of admission to your new institution, 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 new program within five (5) months of the completion of your former IUB program.
      1. EXAMPLE: If you completed your Bachelor's degree at IUB 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.

3. If you have attended IUB or completed a program at IUB, and are currently outside the United States, but plan on re-entering to attend another institution:

   1. In addition to requesting that IUB release your SEVIS record to your new institution through iStart and providing the documentation of admission to your new institution, 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.  Your new institution 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.

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

   1. In addition to requesting that IUB release your SEVIS record through iStart and providing the documentation of admission to your new institution, 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 transferable.
   2. 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.