F-1 Transfer Process

If you plan to attend a new school as an F-1 student, you must complete a SEVIS transfer—a federal immigration process that electronically moves your SEVIS (I-20) record from Adelphi University to your new school after you receive an admission offer.

Important: Admission to a new school does not authorize you to begin full-time studies. You must submit a Transfer Out Request in the International Services Portal. Once your Designated School Official (DSO) releases your SEVIS record, the new school can issue your updated I-20.

F-1 Transfer Eligibility

To be eligible to transfer your F-1 SEVIS record, you must meet all of the following:

1. You are maintaining valid F-1 status
   • Actively enrolled or on approved post-completion OPT
2. You have an admission offer
   • The transfer-in school must be SEVP-certified
3. Your new program begins within the required timeline

Eligibility depends on your current F-1 category:

• Currently Enrolled Students
  • You must continue attending classes and maintaining status until your SEVIS release date.
  • SEVIS Release Date: Last day of classes on Adelphi’s academic calendar.
• Graduating / Program Completion Students
  • Your new program must begin within 5 months of your last day of classes.
  • Your Transfer Out Request must be submitted within your 60-day grace period.
  • SEVIS Release Date:
    • Last day of classes or program end date, whichever applies
    • If you are already in the grace period → date processed
• Students on Post-Completion OPT
  • Your new program must begin within 5 months of your OPT end date.
  • Your Transfer Out Request must be submitted within your 60-day grace period following your OPT end date.
  • SEVIS Release Date:
    • OPT end date
    • or the date processed if you are already in the grace period (unless you request a different date)
• Initial Status Students
  • Your new program must begin within 30 days of entering the U.S.
  • Your Transfer Out Request must be submitted before Adelphi’s last day to add a class for your initial term.
  • SEVIS Release Date: Date processed by the DSO.

Important note for SEVIS records in Terminated Status

If your SEVIS record is terminated, you must upload proof that the new school will accept a terminated SEVIS transfer.

In this situation:

• Your SEVIS record will transfer in terminated status, and
• You must submit a reinstatement application to USCIS within 5 months of your violation date (after receiving a reinstatement I-20 from the new school).

How to Request the Release of Your SEVIS Record

Follow these steps to request a transfer through the International Services Portal:

1. Log into the International Services Portal using your eCampus credentials

2. Navigate to Student Requests and select Transfer Out Request.

3. Upload proof of admission (your acceptance letter) from the transfer-in school.

4. Upload the school’s transfer-in form for the DSO to complete.

5. Initial status students must also submit the Immigration Check-In Request, and the new program must begin within 30 days before or after entering the U.S.

6. Students with terminated SEVIS records must upload proof the new school accepts terminated transfers and should expect to file for reinstatement after the transfer.