USA F1 School Transfer Guide for Nepali Students explains how an F-1 student accepted by another SEVP-certified school can ask the current DSO to transfer the SEVIS record, choose a transfer release date, obtain the transfer-pending Form I-20 and begin the new program within the required timeline. Admission to a new school alone does not complete the immigration transfer.
Information checked on 24 July 2026 using current Department of Homeland Security and ICE guidance. School calendars and individual records differ, so both the transfer-out and transfer-in DSOs should review the plan.
F1 transfer requirements at a glance
| Transfer requirement | What to verify |
|---|---|
| New admission | Written acceptance from an SEVP-certified school |
| Current status | F-1 status is maintained through the transfer process |
| DSO coordination | Both schools have accurate contact and program details |
| Release date | The SEVIS transfer release date fits study, work and travel plans |
| Start deadline | Classes begin at the next session or within five months, as required |
| New Form I-20 | The transfer-in school issues the correct document |
| Reporting | The student reports and registers by the new school’s deadline |
Choose an SEVP-certified transfer-in school
An F-1 transfer must lead to a school certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program for the intended program and campus. Verify the school in the official DHS school search.
A university brand may operate several campuses with different school codes. Give the current DSO the exact campus and code supplied by the transfer-in international office.
Obtain written admission first
The transfer-out DSO needs evidence that the student has been accepted by the new school. Keep the official admission letter and any international-student transfer form.
Compare the program name, level, campus and start date with the academic plan. A conditional or incomplete admission may require clarification before the SEVIS record can move.
Maintain F1 status before release
Continue meeting full-course, attendance, address-reporting and employment rules at the current school. Applying elsewhere does not excuse a status violation.
If the record is terminated or the student otherwise failed to maintain status, an ordinary active-record transfer may not solve the problem. Ask the DSOs about reinstatement or travel options.
Give both DSOs the complete timeline
Tell the transfer-out DSO the last day of study or employment, desired release date and new program start. Give the transfer-in DSO the current SEVIS ID, status and any practical-training details.
Written coordination reduces conflicts between tuition, housing, travel and immigration dates.
Understand the transfer release date
The transfer release date is the date the SEVIS record moves from the current school to the new school. Before that date, the transfer-out school controls the record; after it, the transfer-in school does.
Choose the date deliberately. It affects which school can update SEVIS, issue the Form I-20 and support authorised employment.
Know when a transfer can be cancelled
The transfer-out DSO can generally cancel a scheduled transfer before the release date. After the record releases, changes normally require action by the transfer-in school or a transfer to another eligible school.
If plans change, contact both schools immediately instead of waiting for the original date to pass.
Meet the next-session and five-month rule
DHS guidance says an F-1 transfer student must begin classes at the next available session start date or within five months of the transfer-out date or prior program completion, whichever deadline applies sooner.
A long personal break cannot be inserted merely because both schools agree academically. Ask the DSOs to calculate the immigration deadline from the exact record.
Transfer during the 60-day grace period
An eligible student can arrange a transfer after completing a program or post-completion OPT, but the SEVIS transfer must be handled during the applicable 60-day grace period and the new start must satisfy the transfer timing rules.
The grace period does not authorise employment, and leaving the United States can end the ability to use it for an in-country transfer plan.
Receive the transfer-pending Form I-20
After the release, the transfer-in DSO can issue a Form I-20 for transfer pending. Check the same SEVIS ID, school, program, start date, level, funding and personal information.
Sign the student attestation and keep all prior Forms I-20. The document history helps explain previous schools, employment and travel.
Report to the transfer-in school
Follow the new international office’s check-in, address, document and registration instructions. DHS transfer guidance requires the student to begin the new program on time and the DSO to complete the transfer registration in SEVIS.
Do not assume academic course registration alone completes immigration reporting.
Understand on-campus employment changes
ICE states that on-campus employment at the old school ends on the transfer release date. Qualifying on-campus work at the new school is available only under the new school’s oversight after that date.
Coordinate final and first work dates with both DSOs and employers. A payroll system remaining active does not make work authorised.
Review CPT before transferring
CPT is authorised by the DSO for a specific curriculum, employer and school record. It does not automatically carry to the transfer-in school.
Stop work when the existing authorisation or school control ends. The new DSO must separately determine CPT eligibility under the new curriculum before any new work begins.
Review OPT before transferring
Transferring the SEVIS record or beginning study at another educational level can terminate current OPT. A valid-looking EAD does not override that consequence.
Students on post-completion or STEM OPT should obtain written DSO guidance before selecting a release date because the transfer can end employment authorisation.
Plan travel around the transfer
For travel after the release date, use the current Form I-20 from the transfer-in school with the appropriate endorsement, plus the required passport, visa and supporting evidence.
Ask which school controls the record on the planned return date. Carrying only an old school’s document after release can create avoidable questions at inspection.
Check the I-901 SEVIS fee record
A normal transfer using the same SEVIS ID generally continues the existing fee record. A new initial record with a new SEVIS ID can require a different analysis and possibly another fee or fee-transfer step.
Compare the SEVIS ID on the fee receipt and new Form I-20, then use only official I-901 instructions.
Keep financial and academic records
The new school may request updated evidence of tuition and living funds before issuing the Form I-20. Keep credible sponsor, bank, scholarship and assistantship records.
Also preserve transcripts, course descriptions and transfer-credit decisions. Academic credit transfer and SEVIS transfer are separate processes.
Recognise that a school cannot sell the transfer
DHS guidance says a DSO may not refuse an eligible transfer solely for financial or business reasons after the student provides acceptance information for the SEVP-certified school.
The student still owes legitimate contractual debts, but the SEVIS record must not be held as private leverage. Escalate concerns through appropriate school and SEVP channels.
Handle a terminated record carefully
A terminated record may be transferred in some circumstances, but it remains terminated and can require reinstatement action through the transfer-in school. Transfer does not erase the violation.
Do not file or travel based on a generic success story. Obtain case-specific advice from the DSO and, when needed, a qualified immigration professional.
F1 transfer warning signs
- The new campus is not verified as SEVP-certified
- No written acceptance is provided to the current DSO
- The release date conflicts with classes, work or travel
- The new program starts beyond the permitted transfer period
- Old-school employment continues after record release
- OPT is assumed to continue after transfer
- The new school check-in is missed
F1 school transfer workflow
- Verify the new school. Confirm certification, campus and school code.
- Accept admission. Keep the letter and final start date.
- Ask for transfer. Give the current DSO the new DSO contact and proof.
- Set the release date. Align study, work, housing and travel.
- Obtain the new Form I-20. Check every field after release.
- Report to the new school. Complete international check-in and registration.
- Verify employment. Do not continue CPT, OPT or campus work by assumption.
Frequently asked questions
Can I transfer to any United States college?
No. The transfer-in school and campus must be SEVP-certified to receive the F-1 SEVIS record.
What is the transfer release date?
It is the date control of the SEVIS record moves from the current school to the new school.
How long can the gap between schools be?
The student generally must start at the next available session or within the applicable five-month limit, whichever is sooner.
Can I keep working at my old school?
Not after the transfer release date. ICE says on-campus work at the transfer-out school ends on that date.
Does OPT continue after a SEVIS transfer?
No. Transferring the record or starting a new education level can terminate existing OPT.
Official sources
- DHS: transferring to another school
- DHS: transferring out F-1 students
- DHS: SEVP school search
- ICE: employment and transfer effects
- ICE: travel and reentry
USA transfer planning support in Nepal
For a visible review of the United States study route, university documents, Form I-20 questions and a transfer checklist to discuss with both DSOs, use MKS Education study in the USA guidance. For GRE, GMAT, SAT, IELTS or PTE preparation connected to a new admission plan, compare current support at MKS Prep. Only the schools’ DSOs can complete the SEVIS transfer.