If you are an F-1 student and you have decided to enroll in a program at another U.S. academic institution (either during or once you've completed your Brown program), you will need to follow these steps to transfer your F-1 SEVIS record to your new institution.
Office of Global Engagement
International Students and Scholars
Transfer to Another U.S. Institution
When transferring from one school to another school within the United States, you must carefully follow certain procedures to maintain lawful F-1 status.
Eligibility Requirements
- You must currently be in valid F-1 status. If you are no longer in valid or active F-1 status, your SEVIS record can no longer be transferred.
- The start date at the new school must be within 5 months of the “transfer out” date in SEVIS or your program completion date at Brown, whichever is earlier. If the period of time between programs is longer than 5 months, your SEVIS record cannot be transferred. You will need to work with your new school to request an initial
- For students authorized for post-completion OPT, the new program start date must be within 5 months of your SEVIS “transfer out” date or the end of the OPT authorization, whichever is earlier.
- Note: if you transfer your SEVIS record while your OPT authorization is still active, your OPT will end on the date of the SEVIS record transfer. Please talk to an ISSS advisor.
- If you have already graduated and have not applied for post-completion OPT, you must still be within the 60 day grace period to request a transfer. Once the 60 day period has passed, your SEVIS record will no longer be in active status.
Transfer Procedures
Log in to your OISSS Gateway portal to begin the SEVIS Transfer Out request.
Upload the following to the request at least 10 business days before your requested transfer date:
- Admission letter from new school indicating term of admission
- Copy of I-94 showing most recent entry to U.S.
- Transfer-in form of new school (if applicable)
All F-1 students are required to be enrolled in a full-time course of study every academic semester for the entire length of their academic program.
Students who are not able to complete their current program by the expected end date because of valid academic or medical reasons, must apply for a program extension with the OISSS.
By taking a leave of absence, a student is no longer full-time enrolled and this will affect their J-1 status.