Transfer Out Requests

Students who wish to transfer to begin a program at a new U.S. Institution will need to request to have their SEVIS Records transferred to the new school.

Students requesting a transfer out will need to submit the Transfer Out Request in their ISSS Student Portal Control Center. Students will be required to submit their new school admission letter as part of the request.

The new school program start date must be in the future*; the start date must be within 5 months of the student's current program or OPT end date.

*If the school start date is in the past, ISSS will require written confirmation from the new school in the form of an email that they will accept the SEVIS Records after their program start date.

Requesting to Transfer Out

Choosing a SEVIS Record Release Date

Your SEVIS Record Release Date is the date on which your SEVIS Records will automatically and electronically be transferred from Stevens to your new school. Students may choose their own SEVIS Record Release Date; however, there are a few notes to keep in mind when choosing a transfer release date:

  • Your new school start date must be within 5 months of your current program end date. For example, if you are a current student and your current I-20 end date lists May 20, your new school start date must be no later than October 20. If you are currently engaging in OPT Work Authorization, your new school start date must be within 5 months of your OPT End Date listed on your EAD Card.

  • Your Transfer Release Date must be within your 60-day grace period. Students are allotted a 60-day grace period following the end date on their I-20 or the end date of their work authorization. ISSS will not have access to transfer your records if your release date is after the 60-day period.

  • Mid-Program/Graduated Students: The earliest date your record may be released is the end of the current term. If you have not completed your studies at Stevens yet, your SEVIS Record release should be one day after the current semester end date, even if it is in the summer.

  • OPT/STEM OPT Students: You should request for your record to be released the day after you intend to stop working. Once your SEVIS Records are released to your new school, your OPT/STEM OPT Period will be deactivated.

Transferring while on OPT or STEM OPT

Students who are currently participating in OPT or STEM OPT Work Authorization should note that all work must end at least one day prior to the requested SEVIS Record Release Date, or by the end date listed on the EAD Card - whichever date comes first.

Once the SEVIS Record Release date arrives, your Stevens SEVIS Records will be deactivated and all work authorizations will end.

Students on STEM OPT should submit the final I-983 Form with a completed Final Evaluation and upload it to a Transfer Out Request in their ISSS Student Portal Control Center in order to close out their STEM OPT.

Transferring after your I-20 or EAD Card End Date

As a reminder, F-1 students are allotted a 60-day grace period during which they may choose to transfer their SEVIS Records to their new school.

Please note that after the 60-day grace period ends, the SEVIS Records are marked "Completed" and ISSS can no longer transfer the records.