Admission to a new school does not by itself authorize an F-1 student to begin studying full-time at the new school. The student must request the current school to transfer/release the SEVIS I-20 record to the new school before studying full-time at the new school. The U.S. government calls this process a "SEVIS transfer." It is different from an "academic transfer" which transfers credits from one institution to another.
An F-1 student may transfer between SEVP-certified schools. The transfer process is a way to electronically move Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) records and retain the same SEVIS identification (ID) number for the student.
To learn how to transfer your SEVIS record (I-20) from another institution to MSU, watch the MSU transfer in video and follow the steps below.
Step One
Receive MSU acceptance letter.
Step Two
Complete the MSU Transfer In Form for Students (PDF). An international student advisor at your current institution must fill out a section on this form.
Step Three
Email the completed MSU Transfer In Form to OISS at or fax the form to OISS.
Step Four
Undergraduate Students
Graduate Students without an assistantship
Step Five
OISS at MSU will issue a transfer-pending I-20 to you within 14 days of your SEVIS release date. There will be a delay if you do not submit your proof of funding to MSU.
Step Six
Check your MSU email address. OISS will email you instructions on how to provide your mailing address and pay for express shipping. After you have paid for shipping, OISS will mail your I-20 to you.
Step Seven
Attend orientation.
To transfer your SEVIS record (I-20) from MSU to another institution, follow the steps below.
Eligibility for a SEVIS Record Transfer
Transfer Out Steps
Step One
Get admitted to another SEVP-certified institution.
Step Two
Complete the MSU Transfer Out Form for F-1 Students (PDF)
Step Three
Submit your acceptance letter and MSU Transfer Out Form to OISS at MSU by appointment or during walk-in advising hours.
Step Four
OISS will transfer your SEVIS record (I-20) to your new institution on the SEVIS release date.
Step Five
Check with your new institution for information regarding required financial documents, next steps for admitted students, and orientation. Your new institution can create a transfer-pending I-20 for you after OISS transfers your SEVIS record (I-20).
J-1 students may transfer from their SEVIS record (DS-2019) from one program sponsor to another if the purpose of the transfer is to complete the academic objective for which they were admitted to the U.S.
Admission to a new school does not by itself authorize a J-1 student to begin studying full-time at the new school. The student must request the current school to transfer/release their SEVIS record (DS-2019) to the new school before studying full-time at the new school. The U.S. government calls this process a "SEVIS transfer." It is different from an "academic transfer" which transfers credits from one institution to another.
The transfer process is a way to electronically move Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) records and retain the same SEVIS identification (ID) number for the student.
The SEVIS transfer process does both of the following:
You are eligible to transfer your J-1 SEVIS record (DS-2019) if you meet the following requirements:
If you're transferring to another institution as a J-1 Student, you need to ask OISS to release your SEVIS record (DS-2019) to the new institution on a date that you choose, called the SEVIS "release date." Your new institution will have ownership of your record on the release date. Your new institution can create a DS-2019 for you after the release date.
1. Meet with a J-1 advisor at OISS and discuss the transfer process.
2. Submit the following documents to OISS.
3. OISS will review your application.
4. Once approved, we will release your SEVIS record (DS-2019) to your new institution on the release date.
J-1 scholars may transfer from their SEVIS record (DS-2019) from one program sponsor to another if the purpose of the transfer is to complete the academic objective for which they were admitted to the U.S.
The transfer process is a way to electronically move Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) records and retain the same SEVIS identification (ID) number for the scholar.
It may be possible to transfer your SEVIS record (DS-2019) to MSU for the remainder of the 5-year limit for J-1 Scholars if the following condition apply:
You are currently in the U.S. as a researcher or professor in valid J-1 status at another institution.
The transfer must be initiated by your current institution while you are still in status with an unexpired DS-2019.
The purpose of the transfer is to complete the academic objective for which you were admitted to the U.S.
Meet with a J-1 advisor in your current institution and discuss your transfer plan and your SEVIS record release date.
Complete the MSU Transfer In Form for J-1 Scholars (PDF)
This will require you to meet with a J-1 advisor who will complete the form. You will need to choose a transfer release date. The "release date" is the date on which MSU will have ownership of your SEVIS record. The release date for your J-1 SEVIS record must be before the expiration date of your DS-2019.
Request a DS-2019 from OISS
Your host department at MSU will work with you and OISS to request a DS-2019 for you. Contact your host department if you have questions about the request process.
OISS will review the request and communicate with your host department and you if we need more information.
Within 15 days after your program start date at MSU:
Step One
Make an appointment with a J-1 advisor at OISS.
Step Two
Check in at OISS in order to obtain your new DS-2019. This step is necessary to complete the transfer and validate your MSU SEVIS record.
Attend Orientation
If you're transferring to another institution as a J-1 Scholar, you need to ask OISS to release your SEVIS record (DS-2019) to the new institution on a date that you choose, called the SEVS "release date." Your new institution will have ownership of your record on the release date. Your new institution can create a DS-2019 for you after the release date.
It may be possible to transfer your J-1 SEVIS record to a new institution for the remainder of the 5-year limit for J-1 Scholars if you meet all of the following:
You are currently in valid J-1 status as a researcher or professor at MSU and have been offered a position at another institution.
The transfer will be initiated while you are still in J-1 status at MSU.
Your DS-2019 end date is in the future.
The purpose of the transfer is to complete the original academic/professional objective for which you first came to the U.S. as a J-1 scholar. If you are making a change to your field of research, you are not eligible for a J-1 scholar transfer.
1. Meet with a J-1 advisor at OISS and discuss your transfer process.
2. Submit the following documents to OISS.
A letter of invitation from the new institution.
Transfer-in form from the new institution (if any)
3. OISS will review your application.
4. Once approved, we will release your SEVIS record to your new institution on the release date.
On this date, your new institution will have ownership of your SEVIS record and we will no longer have access to it.
Check with your new institution to find out what you need to do in order to obtain a new DS-2019.
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