I-20 Transfer
Current EMU students who have an active F-1 SEVIS record, and have been properly maintaining their status may be eligible to transfer their status to another SEVP-certifiedinstitution. Please note that “transfer” in this sense is only referring to the immigration process and not the academic process. Students will be required to complete the application process for their new school separately. The transfer of a student's SEVIS record has no bearing on their academic transfer. A student should ensure that they take care of any outstanding academic and financial obligations to EMU before initiating a transfer.
Eligibility
- Must be maintaining proper F-1 visa status at EMU
- Must have full admission into the new school, conditional admission offers do not count
- The start date of your program at the new school must be within 5 months of the last date of activity at EMU or at the start of the next available semester at your new school, whichever comes sooner
- For current F-1 students, the transfer time frame is counted from your last date of attendance at EMU
- If otherwise eligible for a vacation period, you will not be required to start at the beginning of a vacation period if that is the next available session at your new school, but you must begin classes at the next required semester and within 5 months of your last date of attendance at EMU
- For current F-1 students, the transfer time frame is counted from your last date of attendance at EMU
- For F-1 students on OPT/STEM OPT, the transfer time frame is counted from the end of your OPT period or the transfer date, whichever comes sooner
- Transferring prior to the end of your OPT period will cancel your work authorization and you must stop OPT employment as of the date your records are transferred out
- For F-1 students on OPT/STEM OPT, the transfer time frame is counted from the end of your OPT period or the transfer date, whichever comes sooner
Please note, generally students transfer out after the end of the academic semester. If transferring in the middle of the semester (not recommended), you must maintain your course enrollment and attend classes at EMU up to the date your SEVIS records are transferred out.
Documents Required to Transfer SEVIS Status
- Fill out and submit the Transfer Out Form
- Copy of your Most Recent I-94
- Final admission letter for the new school (conditional offers will not be accepted)
New Student Transfers
If you have no plans to attend EMU, interested students should not use the EMU I-20 to apply for a visa. Please inform the Office of International Admissions that your plans have changed, and they will withdraw your application and cancel your I-20. New students who change their plans at the last minute may contact OISS to see if they are eligible to transfer. Due to strict regulations, a transfer out for new students may not be possible.
Traveling Outside the U.S.
If you have plans to travel outside the U.S. after transferring your F-1 records to another school, you will need to be in contact with the new school to receive a new ‘transfer pending’ I-20 in order to return to the U.S. You may not use your EMU I-20 for re-entry to the U.S. after your records have been transferred in SEVIS.