Transfer

If you are given the opportunity to transfer to another school approved by the Department of Homeland Security in the U.S., please notify OIS by initiating a Transfer Out request in the Student International Portal. The OIS must release your SEVIS record to the new school before you leave the University. Your new institution will likely have an F-1 Transfer-In Form that will need to be completed by you and our office.

Eligibility for a SEVIS record transfer:

• You must currently be maintaining F-1 status
• You must have an offer of admission from a new school
• If you already graduated or completed OPT, you must still be within your 60-day grace period
• The start of classes at your new school must be within 5 months or the next available session start date, whichever is earlier.
• If the period of time between F-1 activities is longer than 5 months, your SEVIS record is not eligible for transfer. Your new school must issue a new initial I-20 with a new SEVIS number.

Please keep in mind the following points:

• You do not pay the SEVIS fee again at the new school
• You can remain in the U.S. in between programs
• You maintain the same current SEVIS ID number
• Once the SEVIS record is released, any and all work authorization at UT Health San Antonio ends the day prior to the record being released. This includes on-campus employment, curricular practical training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT) or employment authorization based on economic hardship, even if the EAD card has an end date in the future.

Only one school at a time can access your F-1 SEVIS record. On the SEVIS I-20 transfer/release date, SEVIS access transfers from UT Health San Antonio to the new school and we no longer have access to your record. Please contact your International Services Representative with any questions regarding the transfer process or an appropriate SEVIS release date.