US University Transfer Procedure (Change University/I-20/DS-2019 Transfer)

University Transfer Procedure for F-1 Visa Holders:

• The student must join the university in which he/she obtained the student VISA. (Transfer cannot be done before enrolling into the university).



• I-20 or DS-2019 must be transferred to change the university.



• Report to the international student office at the current university and enroll to the university.



• Inform the international student office the intention of transferring to the other University.



• International student office must complete the enclosed Transfer Recommendation Form and mail or fax it to the International student office at the new University. The international student office in the current university must also "release" student's SEVIS record to the transferring University.



• The student should wait until the confirmation from the transferring university.



• The student also should send a copy of current I-20 ID (student copy) and I-94 card to the Office of International Services at the transferring university.



• Student will get the I-20 only after receiving the release date from the student's current university. If the student already has the I-20 he/she may be able to join as soon as the transferring university gives the approval to join.



• After the student reaches the transferred university, the student must check in with the Office of International Services with all proper documents (required documents are passport, I-20, I-94) and complete all the paper work for registration.



• Most of the universities accept transfers and allow to join up to 15 days before the classes start.



• The new I-20 should indicate "continued attendance" on page one and "Transfer Completed" on page 3.



• If the I-20 says "transfer pending" means the student's immigration transfer process has not been completed.



• The International Student office must promptly report university transfer to the USCIS in order to complete the legal procedure of changing the university.

J-1 Visa Holders

The procedure is same as F1 visa holder. Instead of I-20, J1 visa holders will use the form DS-2019.