Transfer SEVIS Record from USC to Another Institution

Updated 06/26/2023

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F-1 Students

F-1 students who apply and are admitted to another institution may be eligible to transfer their USC SEVIS record to their new school. The SEVIS transfer must be completed within a specific timeframe in order to maintain valid F-1 status.

Upon acceptance to a new school, the student must request their record be release by submitting a SEVIS Transfer Out Request Form to OIS. After the SEVIS record is transferred, the new school will be able to access the student’s SEVIS record to create and issue a transfer I-20.

All SEVIS transfer requests are final and changes cannot be made by USC after the SEVIS record release date. Work authorization for students on OPT or STEM OPT Extension will expire on the SEVIS release date, regardless of the EAD expiration date.

Eligibility Requirements

  1. The start date at the transfer-in school must be within five months of the last date of enrollment at USC
    • If on OPT or STEM OPT Extension, student must resume classes at transfer-in school within five months of transferring out of USC or the date the OPT/STEM OPT Extension authorization ends, whichever is earlier
  2. The student must be in valid F-1 status with an “ACTIVE” SEVIS record:
  3. Student must meet transfer-out deadlines specified below
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Transfer-Out Deadlines

  • Currently enrolled/continuing students who plan to attend another school for the following semester must have their SEVIS record transferred to the new school any time after the current semester end date and prior to the start of the next semester at USC
  • Students who are in the final semester of their program and plan to attend a new school must have their SEVIS records transferred to the new school during their 60-day grace period
Students who requested an OPT or STEM OPT Extension I-20 from OIS but never submitted an application to USCIS:
  • Students who requested OPT but never submitted an application to USCIS must meet the SEVIS transfer deadlines indicated above for graduating students
  • Students who requested a STEM OPT Extension I-20 but never submitted an application to USCIS must transfer out within 60 days of OPT EAD end date
Students with OPT or STEM OPT Extension application pending with USCIS:
  • Students may transfer in “ACTIVE” status any time within the 60-day grace period after their program end date; if past the 60-day grace period, the student will be eligible to transfer any time while the application is in “PENDING” status with USCIS
    • In the event the application is denied by USCIS prior to the SEVIS transfer out date, the student will be ineligible to transfer in “ACTIVE” status since the SEVIS record will auto-complete upon denial
  • Transferring a SEVIS record while an OPT or STEM OPT Extension application is pending is an automatic forfeiture of OPT or STEM OPT Extension work authorization, meaning the application is likely to be denied by USCIS
  • In the event the OPT or STEM OPT Extension is approved, the application cannot be withdrawn or cancelled after it is approved
    • OPT is granted once per higher degree level; if the OPT is approved, the student will only be eligible to apply for OPT again if they complete a higher level degree
Students on approved OPT or STEM OPT Extension:
  • Must have completed all OPT and STEM OPT Extension reporting requirements and not accrued more than the allowed unemployment days
  • Students may transfer in “ACTIVE” status any time:
    • Between their approved OPT or STEM OPT Extension EAD start and end dates, or
    • Within the 60-day grace period after their OPT or STEM OPT Extension EAD end date
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SEVIS Transfer Out Request Form

To request a SEVIS transfer from USC to another institution, the student must complete and submit a SEVIS Transfer Out Request Form. The processing time for these requests is four (4) business days. Students will receive two email confirmations: first, when their request has been submitted and second, after their SEVIS transfer has been processed. OIS will contact the student via email if additional information is needed to process the request.

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Policy on Completing Status or Transfer Verification Forms for Other Schools

OIS will only complete SEVIS transfer requests for students who have maintained valid F-1 status and have an “ACTIVE” SEVIS record. OIS does not complete transfer or status verification form(s) from other institutions, as they are not a regulatory requirement for completing F-1 SEVIS transfers (8 C.F.R. § 214.2(f)(8)(ii)). Upon release, previous program dates, work authorization, and any additional information requested on the transfer verification form are accessible to the new school in SEVIS. It is the student’s responsibility to provide proof of prior work authorization, if requested.

Upon completion of the student’s SEVIS transfer request, the student will receive a confirmation email from OIS@usc.edu. In lieu of a transfer verification form, the student may forward this email confirmation from OIS to their new school as evidence they have met eligibility requirements for a SEVIS transfer in “ACTIVE” status.

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J-1 Students and Scholars

J-1 Students

Student must apply to another institution, be admitted, have the USC SEVIS records transferred out to that institution and be issued their new DS-2019 before the end of the grace period. In order to transfer out the USC SEVIS record, student will need to meet with a J-1 Exchange Visitor Program Coordinator and submit the J-1 Student SEVIS Transfer Out Request Form to j1student@usc.edu. In email subject line, write: J-1 Student SEVIS Transfer Out: Last Name, First Name – SEVIS ID.

J-1 Scholars

Refer to the J-1 Transfer Out page of the OIS website for further instructions.

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