The SEVIS Transfer Details/Process:

• The SEVIS transfer is an electronic transfer of your SEVIS record from F&M to the possession of your new school.  The Transfer will be completed by your Designated School Official (PDSO: Jessica Haile), and it means that the student's electronic record becomes visible to the new school.  

• The DSO can schedule the transfer to happen for a future date.  You will need to apply for a new I-20 with your new school (every school has their own process) - and as soon as your new school has your electronic record, they can use it to issue your new I-20 with your new program details, and financial details. 

Students are eligible to have their records transferred to another school in the US if:

1. They will graduate from F&M with active F-1 status or are completing OPT,

2. They will attend the new school as an F-1 student... and,

3. They will begin their new academic program within 5 months of their F&M program ending/OPT ending.  

• For May grads, that means you need to begin your new program by the middle of September.   

• For December grads, that means you need to add 5 months to the end of fall semester finals.

• If you are on OPT and transferring after your OPT completion, add 5 months to your OPT end date. 

The Benefits of the Transfer:

• You can remain in the US while you are waiting for your new program to begin (as long as it will start within 5 months).

• You don't have to repay the $350 SEVIS fee.  Because your SEVIS record is linked to your F-1 visa, you also don't have to get a new F-1 visa if you don't want to. 

• Your SEVIS ID # will remain the same!

How to complete a SEVIS Transfer:

If you graduated after May 2023 and have access to iss.fandm.edu:

• Once you receive instructions from your new ISS office, please go into your ISS portal to request a "Graduate School SEVIS Transfer".  

• In the request form, we will give you some details about the Transfer and ask some qualifying questions.  

• Typically records are released the day after graduation or next possible date (unless you are doing OPT). 

• Some schools will have a transfer form we need to complete and some will just let you know some key information to pass along to the F&M ISS office.  Either way by completing the request in the iss.fandm.edu portal, we'll have what we need to take care of your record.   

• You can upload any required forms in the request in the portal for ISS to take care of for your new school. 

If you graduated in May 2023 or earlier:

• Email iss@fandm.edu with the following information: 

  • School Name + Program of study (Masters in...)

  • Desired Transfer-out date from F&M (remember, transfers cancel any work authorization)

  • the School's SEVIS code. 

• You can also send along any documents they need F&M's ISS office to complete.

Travel Implications:

• If you have your record being transferred to another US school you can travel outside of the US, HOWEVER you will need to return to the US with your new I-20 from your new school to come back into the US.  

• This means you will need to coordinate your new school sending your new I-20.   Because your program will have ended, you can no longer use the F&M I-20 to re-enter the country.  

• If your F-1 visa has expired, you would also need to renew that while away in order to come back (but again, you will need your NEW I-20 to do this).

While you are waiting to begin your new degree program:

• You cannot work on campus after you have been withdrawn or graduated. 

• You will not have work authorization to work in any paid or unpaid work experience position while you are waiting to begin your new program.

• For May or December graduates:   If you want to work between graduation and beginning at your new institution, you will need to apply for OPT and just use it during that in-between time.  In this case, we would not transfer your record until your work experience is over since your OPT is linked to F&M holding your SEVIS record.