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International Services Office
Office for Global Engagement

SEVIS Immigration Transfer Out of Rochester

Are you planning to transfer your F-1 or J-1 student record to another US institution? You’ll need to request a SEVIS transfer of your F-1 or J-1 student record before you can begin your new program. This can be done through the URcompass SEVIS Transfer Out Request.

Complete the transfer out request form

Required Documentation

As part of the SEVIS Transfer Out E-Form Request, you will be prompted to upload a copy of your admissions letter to your new school

Withdrawals

If you are transferring before completing your academic program (e.g., graduating) at the University of Rochester, you are considered a withdrawal and will need to get approval from your academic dean. Some transfer restrictions may apply. (See “Selecting a SEVIS Release Date” below)

Timing

Your transfer must be completed before or during your eligible grace period. After your grace period ends, we will no longer be able to transfer your record, so please keep this date in mind when submitting your transfer documentation.

 

Selecting a SEVIS Release Date
  • You must select a future date. ISO cannot schedule the release of your SEVIS record to another school retroactively.
  • All UR study and work permissions end on your chosen release date – take any academic or employment plans into account when selecting your release date.
  • If you are completing your UR program before transferring, the transfer release date must be after your current program completion date listed on an I-20 or DS-2019, but within your allotted grace period (60 days after your current program completion date for F-1 students, 30 days for J-1 students).
  • Your new institution will not be able to issue an I-20 for you until after the date you request. If you have any plans to travel this summer, you will need to have the I-20 from your new institution in order to return to the U.S.
  • For F-1 students, if you are NOT completing your UR program before transferring, you are considered as withdrawing. Your Requested SEVIS Release Date must be within 15 days of the effective date of your withdrawal from UR. If you are unsure of the effective date of your academic withdrawal, please contact your academic advisor.

Maintaining valid immigration status

To be eligible to transfer to another US institution, you must have maintained valid F-1 or J-1 status throughout your time at the University of Rochester. You must remain registered full-time, be pursuing authorized post-completion employment, or be within your allotted grace period until the date your SEVIS record is released to the new school.

Next steps at new school

Once your SEVIS record is released, you’ll need to request a new I-20 or DS-2019 from your new school and begin studies there in the next available term.

You must be registered full-time at the new school within five months of the SEVIS release date or the I-20 completion date from the University of Rochester, whichever is earlier. After the release date has passed, you will not be able to use Rochester-based work permissions, and ISO will no longer be able to access your immigration record.

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