Transferring SEVIS Data From Another U.S. School
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) considers any move from one U.S. school to another as a "SEVIS transfer," even if the student has graduated from the first institution.
The transfer of your SEVIS record from one school to another allows you to keep the same SEVID ID number for the duration of studies in the U.S.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) considers any move from one U.S. school to another as a "SEVIS transfer," even if the student has graduated from the first institution.
The transfer of your SEVIS record from one school to another allows you to keep the same SEVID ID number for the duration of studies in the U.S.
Basic Process
- Accept your offer of admission from Penn State University
- Contact your current institution and complete any requirements for their “transfer-out process.” Determine the "SEVIS release date" with your current school.
- Complete the Visa Document Process in iStart - and request a "transfer pending I-20."
- The proper school code for your Penn State Campus is located in the iStart form. Please make note of the SEVIS School Code.
- Your request and financial guarantee must be approved by Pre-Arrival Advising. Monitor your application email on a regular basis.
- Your Penn State I-20/DS-2019 will be sent to your application email after the "SEVIS release date."
Important Notes
- A SEVIS transfer is a transfer of immigration documentation, not academic records.
- Penn State does not have a "transfer-in form." The SEVIS School Code for your Penn State Campus is listed in the Visa Document Process. Please make note of the code in iStart.
- It is important that your current school transfers your SEVIS record to the correct Penn State campus. Your SEVIS record must be released to Penn State within 60 days following the completion of study at your current institution or completion of OPT and before the start of your Penn State classes.
- Penn State will not accept terminated or completed records through SEVIS transfers.
- The transfer release date is determined by you and your current institution.
- Optional Practical Training: Your OPT will terminate on the date that your SEVIS record is released to Penn State. OPT authorization is not transferrable.
- Penn State cannot print your new I-20/DS-2019 document until after your record has been released to The Pennsylvania State University in SEVIS.
- You have only 15 days after the start of Penn State classes to get into registered status in SEVIS. The registration process includes completing Immigration Check-informs in iStart and attending all mandatory orientation sessions.
Basic Process
- Accept your offer of admission from Penn State University
- Contact your current institution and complete any requirements for their “transfer-out process.” Determine the "SEVIS release date" with your current school.
- Complete the Visa Document Process in iStart - and request a "transfer pending I-20."
- The proper school code for your Penn State Campus is located in the iStart form. Please make note of the SEVIS School Code.
- Your request and financial guarantee must be approved by Pre-Arrival Advising. Monitor your application email on a regular basis.
- Your Penn State I-20/DS-2019 will be sent to your application email after the "SEVIS release date."
Important Notes
- A SEVIS transfer is a transfer of immigration documentation, not academic records.
- Penn State does not have a "transfer-in form." The SEVIS School Code for your Penn State Campus is listed in the Visa Document Process. Please make note of the code in iStart.
- It is important that your current school transfers your SEVIS record to the correct Penn State campus. Your SEVIS record must be released to Penn State within 60 days following the completion of study at your current institution or completion of OPT and before the start of your Penn State classes.
- Penn State will not accept terminated or completed records through SEVIS transfers.
- The transfer release date is determined by you and your current institution.
- Optional Practical Training: Your OPT will terminate on the date that your SEVIS record is released to Penn State. OPT authorization is not transferrable.
- Penn State cannot print your new I-20/DS-2019 document until after your record has been released to The Pennsylvania State University in SEVIS.
- You have only 15 days after the start of Penn State classes to get into registered status in SEVIS. The registration process includes completing Immigration Check-informs in iStart and attending all mandatory orientation sessions.
