If you are planning to complete your education at a university other than Chapman, you will need to apply to transfer your SEVIS record with ISS.
Once you are admitted to a new institution, you must notify our office by submitting the Transfer Out Request Form.
Once we receive your form, we can transfer your SEVIS record and the new institution will be able to access your SEVIS record and will provide you with a new I-20 Form.
Eligibility to Transfer Out
- You must be maintaining your F-1 status and have an active status.
- You must receive an admission offer from a new institution.
- If you already graduated or completed OPT, your SEVIS record must be transferred out before your 60-day grace period ends.
- The start date of your new program must be within 5 months from the following:
- Program completion at Chapman.
- Last date of enrollment.
- OPT or STEM OPT end date.
Steps to Transfer SEVIS Record
This process is only to end your SEVIS record with Chapman. You will still need to work with your Academic Advisor and the Registrar’s Office to cancel or withdraw your enrollment as a Chapman student.
- Obtain admission at a new institution for a program beginning within 5 months of ending your enrollment at Chapman.
- Submit Transfer Out Request Form along with:
- Your offer of acceptance letter at your new school.
- The new school’s name and SEVIS code.
- A transfer release date. (This is the date your record will no longer be active with Chapman University and will belong to the new school.)
Guidelines for Selecting a Release Date
Chapman will release your SEVIS record to the new school on the date you selected. See below on tips for selecting an appropriate release date.
- On the release date, your Chapman I-20 Form will no longer be valid and you will begin working solely with your advisors at the new institution.
- The release date can be no later than the end of the 60-day grace period. The grace period ends 60 days after the last date of the semester OR the end of the OPT period.
- Work authorization for OPT or STEM OPT will expire on the release date regardless of the EAD expiration date.
- Changes cannot be made by Chapman after your record has been released to the new institution.
Additional Policies regarding Transferring Out
- SEVIS transfer requests will only be approved for students who have maintained valid F-1 status and have an “ACTIVE” SEVIS record.
- ISS does not complete status verification/transfer form(s) from other institutions, as they are not a regulatory requirement for completing F-1 SEVIS transfers (8 C.F.R. § 214.2(f)(8)(ii)).
International Student Services provides general guidance. Any advice provided to you by the ISS should not be construed as legal advice.
Additionally, due to the fluid nature of governmental interpretation, government agencies such as USCIS/ICE/CBP may change their interpretation of immigration laws/regulations and eligibility requirements for benefits at any time. We will do our best to provide the most current guidance.
Each case is fact-specific and it is advised that you contact an experienced immigration attorney if you have questions regarding your situation.