USA F1 Change of Education Level Guide for Nepali Students explains how a student moving to another degree level at the same SEVP-certified school can obtain admission, ask the DSO to create the new-level SEVIS record, receive a new Form I-20 and register for the new program on time. A new academic admission does not update F-1 records automatically.
Information checked on 24 July 2026 using current DHS SEVIS and ICE guidance. School structure and record dates differ, so the same school’s DSO must confirm whether change of level or a transfer is the correct action.
Education level change requirements at a glance
| Change requirement | What to verify |
|---|---|
| Same school | The new program belongs to the same eligible SEVP school record |
| Admission | The student has formal admission to the new degree level |
| Status | F-1 status is maintained through current completion or OPT |
| Timing | DSO action occurs within the grace and program-start rules |
| Start date | The new program begins at the next session or within five months |
| Funding | New tuition and living support are documented |
| Registration | The student reports and the DSO activates the new-level record |
Confirm that change of level is the right SEVIS action
Change of education level is generally used when the student moves to a new level at the same school, such as bachelor’s to master’s or master’s to doctoral study.
If the new program is controlled by a different SEVIS school code, the correct action may be a transfer even when both institutions share a university name.
Obtain formal admission
Keep the official offer showing degree, department, campus and start date. Complete academic conditions before assuming the DSO can issue the new Form I-20.
Tell the international office about any deferral, prerequisite or conditional admission that changes the first term.
Maintain F1 status in the current program
Continue full-course, address and employment compliance until the current program is properly completed or the authorised OPT period ends.
A future admission does not forgive an unauthorised withdrawal, employment violation or terminated record.
Request DSO action before the deadline
Students commonly request the change before the current program or OPT and within the eligible 60-day grace period. The DSO needs time to verify admission, finances and the new start date.
Do not wait until the grace period ends. A late academic registration cannot restore an expired immigration option.
Meet the five-month start rule
The new program generally must begin at the next available session and within five months of the prior program completion or OPT end, as applicable.
Ask the DSO to calculate the earlier deadline from the real dates. A long gap for travel or test preparation can require a different plan.
Understand the two SEVIS program records
DHS guidance explains that changing education level creates a new Initial record in addition to the current Active record, usually under the same SEVIS ID.
The current record remains relevant until completion. When the DSO registers the student at the new level, the new record becomes Active and the earlier program can no longer be updated in the same way.
Review the new-level Form I-20
Check the education level, major, program dates, campus, funding and personal information. The creation reason should reflect the change of education level.
Sign the student attestation and keep all prior Forms I-20 as part of the continuous record.
Prepare updated funding evidence
The new degree can have different tuition, duration, insurance and living costs. Provide current sponsor, bank, scholarship or assistantship records that meet the school’s standard.
Explain any major change in funding and avoid unsupported balances or temporary deposits.
Complete new-program reporting and registration
Follow the international office’s check-in, address, document and course-registration instructions. The DSO must register the new Initial record after the student begins the new level.
Academic registration alone is not proof that the SEVIS action is complete. Confirm that the new record is Active.
Understand on-campus employment continuity
ICE says an eligible F-1 student finishing one program and starting another level at the same campus may continue qualifying on-campus employment when the student plans to enrol in the next term.
The DSO should still review the employer, dates, hours and campus relationship. Do not assume that any off-campus role becomes on-campus work.
Know that CPT does not carry automatically
CPT must be integral to the new curriculum and separately authorised by the DSO for the employer and dates. Prior-program CPT approval does not transfer into the new-level record.
The academic-year eligibility rule can depend on program requirements and continuity, so ask before promising an internship start date.
Know that current OPT ends
DHS guidance states that changing education level ends the current OPT and creates a new program record without the earlier OPT employment attached.
Select the change date deliberately and stop employment when authorisation ends. An EAD card’s printed date does not preserve work after the underlying OPT ends.
Plan future OPT at the new level
An eligible student can generally seek a new 12-month OPT period at a higher education level after meeting the rules for that level. Prior use and degree progression matter.
Keep the new program’s full-course and practical-training records, and plan with the DSO well before completion.
Check the I-901 SEVIS fee record
A normal same-school change of level commonly keeps the same SEVIS ID, but the student should compare the ID on the new Form I-20 and fee receipt.
If a new SEVIS ID is created for a different reason, ask the DSO and use official I-901 instructions to determine whether a new payment or transfer is required.
Understand the visa effect
A change-of-level Form I-20 does not renew an expired F-1 visa. A student maintaining status may remain inside the United States, but travel can require a valid visa for reentry.
If the existing visa is valid, ask the DSO and official travel sources how to present the new Form I-20. A consular officer or CBP officer makes the relevant decision.
Plan travel around the record transition
Carry the Form I-20 for the program that will be active on return, with the appropriate travel endorsement, passport, visa and funding evidence.
Coordinate travel dates with the DSO so the student does not leave with only an old-level document after the new record should control.
Update F2 dependant records
Each F-2 dependant needs an updated individual Form I-20 reflecting the principal student’s new program information. Check names, passports and funding.
Plan family travel and visa appointments using the current documents.
Handle a deferral before the original start date
If the new program start is deferred, tell the DSO immediately. The revised date must remain compatible with SEVIS timing and the five-month rule.
A university-approved academic deferral does not automatically preserve an F-1 change-of-level record.
Distinguish level change from program extension
A program extension adds time to finish the same educational objective. A change of level starts a new objective, such as moving from bachelor’s to master’s study.
Using the wrong action can create inconsistent dates, work authorisation and completion records.
Education level change warning signs
- The new campus uses a different SEVIS school code
- No formal admission or final start date exists
- The five-month limit is not calculated
- The student assumes current OPT will continue
- New funding is not documented
- The new Form I-20 is issued but registration is never confirmed
- Travel is booked with only the old-level document
Education level change workflow
- Confirm the action. Ask whether the case is change of level or transfer.
- Accept admission. Finalise the program, campus and start date.
- Request DSO action. Submit admission and funding before the deadline.
- Review the Form I-20. Check the new-level program record.
- Stop old OPT. Align any employment with the record transition.
- Start the program. Enrol at the next eligible session.
- Confirm registration. Verify the new SEVIS record is Active.
Frequently asked questions
Is change of level the same as a school transfer?
No. Change of level is generally for a new education level at the same SEVP school; a different school code normally requires transfer procedures.
Does the SEVIS ID change?
A standard change of education level usually creates a new program record under the same SEVIS ID.
How soon must the new program begin?
It generally begins at the next available session and within the applicable five-month period.
Can current OPT continue?
No. SEVIS ends current OPT when the education level changes.
Can I get OPT at the new level later?
An eligible student may receive another OPT period at a higher education level after meeting the rules for that level.
Official sources
- DHS: SEVIS change education level guide
- DHS: change education level
- ICE: F-1 employment
- ICE: practical training
- ICE: travel and reentry
USA new-level planning support in Nepal
For a visible review of the United States study pathway, new admission, Form I-20, funding file and questions to take to the DSO, use MKS Education study in the USA guidance. For GRE, GMAT, SAT, IELTS or PTE preparation connected to the new degree, compare current support at MKS Prep. The DSO remains responsible for the official SEVIS action.