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International Services and Engagement Office ISEO
  1. ISEO
  2. Student Services
  3. Preparing for Graduation
  4. SEVIS Transfer Out

Transferring SEVIS
Record to New Institution

If you wish to transfer your F or J SEVIS record from UC San Diego to a new institution of study, you must request your SEVIS record transfer from ISEO. 

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for a SEVIS transfer, you must meet ALL of these requirements:
  • You must be maintaining F or J visa status at UC San Diego.
  • You must be admitted by the transfer-in school.
  • The course of study at the transfer-in school must begin at the next available term or session, which must be no more than 5 months (152 days) from the end of your studies at UC San Diego.
    1. If you never attended UC San Diego, the start date at the new school must be within 30 days of arrival into the U.S.
    2. The start date at your new school is generally the start date of classes/instruction start date at your new institution.
  • You must be eligible for an I-20/DS-2019 at the transfer-in school.
  • J-1 students:
    • J-1 students cannot transfer during their 30-day grace period. They must transfer before their program end date.
    • J-1 students who have applied to the U.S. Department of State for a waiver of the two-year home residency requirement and have been approved are not eligible to transfer.
  • F-1 students on OPT:
    • You must be able to start classes at the transfer-in school within 5 months (152 days) of the transfer release date set by UC San Diego, or the date the OPT/STEM OPT authorization ends, whichever is earlier.
    • The start date at your new school is generally the start date of classes/instruction start date at your new institution.
    • Your authorization for OPT/STEM OPT ends on the transfer release date.

SEVIS Record Release Date

The SEVIS Record Release Date is the date that you choose to have your SEVIS record released to another institution. UC San Diego will no longer be able to update or make any changes to your SEVIS record after your record is released.

Your SEVIS Record Release Date should be a date after your last enrolled date at UC San Diego, keeping in mind the guidelines below as it relates to your particular situation. Please note that this request requires 10 business days to process.

Students Completing their Degree Program:

F-1 Students:

  • The SEVIS Release Date should be after the last day of your final quarter at UC San Diego and before the last day of your 60 day grace period.
  • You can request your SEVIS record release from ISEO after you have received an acceptance letter from your new institution. Submit your Transfer Our request at least five days before the end of your 60 day grace period.
J-1 Students:
  • The SEVIS Release Date should be after the last day of your final quarter at UC San Diego but before the program end date listed on your DS-2019.
  • You can request your SEVIS record release from ISEO after you have received an acceptance letter from your new institution. Submit your Transfer Our request at least five days before the end date listed on your DS-2019. 

Students on Post-Completion Work Authorization:

F-1 OPT/STEM OPT:
  • Students who are maintaining status on post-completion OPT may use any release date during the OPT period or may choose a date before the last day of your 60 day grace period upon completion of OPT.
    • Note that a SEVIS record cannot be transferred if the student has exceeded the unemployment day limit.
  • Your OPT employment authorization will end automatically after your SEVIS record is released to the new institution, even if your EAD card has not expired.

J-1 Academic Training (AT):

  • Students who are on post-completion Academic Training may use any release date during the Academic Training period, but before the last date of their DS-2019 end date.
  • Your Academic Training employment authorization will end automatically after your SEVIS record is released to the new institution.

Students Dismissed due to Suspension or Academic Disqualification:

Students who have been dismissed from the UC San Diego due to suspension or academic disqualification must request their SEVIS record release from ISEO within one of the following timelines (whichever is later):
  • 15 days after the dismissal, or
  • 15 days from the date of an appeal denial, or
  • 15 days after the quarter end date of your last enrolled term, or 
  • 15 days after the quarter start date of the quarter of suspension/disqualification.
You may verify this date with an International Student Advisor.

Students Withdrawing from their Program:

Students who are in good standing and have been authorized to withdraw from their program of study may be eligible to transfer their SEVIS record. If you were never enrolled in the withdrawal term, you must request your SEVIS record release from ISEO no later than 15 days after the last day to add classes.

  • The deadline to add classes is Friday of Week 2 of each academic term.
  • If you must withdraw after the Friday of Week 2 of the academic term, you must remain enrolled and remain in status up until the time we release your SEVIS Record. 
You may verify this date with an International Student Advisor.

Request a SEVIS Record Transfer with ISEO

Submit the "Transfer Out Request" on iPortal. 

  • Upload a PDF copy of your admission letter or admission email from your new school.
  • Note that you will need to give ISEO the SEVIS Code of your new school so that UC San Diego can transfer your record out to the correct institution:
    • Each institution that has been approved to accept and issue I-20/DS-2019 forms for F/J students is assigned a 15-character code that is unique to each institution. J-1 sponsor institutions also have what is called a Program Number.
    • Please ask the International Student Advisor or Designated School Official (F-1)/Alternate Responsible Officer (J-1) at your new school for the code and/or Program Number as applicable.
  • Your request will be processed within 10 business days.
  • You will be notified via email when the request is complete.
  • The actual transfer/release of your SEVIS record will happen on the transfer/release date that you specified in your iPortal request, not before that.

After your SEVIS Record is Released

The actual transfer/release of your SEVIS record will happen on the transfer/release date that you specified in your iPortal request, not before that.

 After the SEVIS record release date:

  • Your UC San Diego I-20/DS-2019 will be deactivated.
  • You must request a new I-20/DS-2109 from your new school.
  • You must use the new institution’s I-20/DS-2019 for travel and re-entry into the U.S.
  • Any employment authorization under the UC San Diego I-20/DS-2019 will be invalid.
  • J-1 students must report to their new institution within thirty (30) days of your transfer date for SEVIS validation.

Transfer-In Verification Forms and DSO Contact Information

When transferring to a new school, the new school may request a Transfer-In or Transfer Clearance form to be filled out by UC San Diego to verify your visa status for transfer. Please note, ISEO does not complete these forms as these are not required by F-1 or J-1 federal regulations. ISEO will only process SEVIS transfer out requests for students who have maintained F-1 or J-1 status and have an ACTIVE SEVIS record. An ISEO Advisor will contact you directly if you've submitted a SEVIS Transfer Out request but are ineligible to transfer out in ACTIVE status.

To facilitate your admissions paperwork, here are some tips on locating the information that may be requested from your new school:

  • SEVIS ID: Your SEVIS number can be found on the top of your most recently issued Form I-20. The SEVIS Number or SEVIS ID starts with "N", usually with "N00".

  • Program Number (J-1 students only): Your Program Number is can be found in Section 2 toward the top of your Form DS-2019. This number starts with a "P".

  • SEVIS Status & Release Date: If eligible, upon request. ISEO will only process SEVIS transfer out requests for students who have maintained F-1 or J-1 status and have an ACTIVE SEVIS record. You will receive an email from iPortal when your transfer out request has been successfully processed. You are welcome to download this support letter reflecting UC San Diego's policy.

  • Work Authorization & Dates: It is your responsibility to provide prior or current proof of work authorization. Provide prior Form I-20s showing CPT Approval on Page 2 or a valid OPT/STEM OPT EAD Card. For J-1 students, provide DS-2019s showing Academic Training authorization.

  • Drop Below Full Course Load Authorization: It is your responsibility to provide prior or current proof of authorized Reduced Course Loads. Provide prior Form I-20s showing RCL Approval on Page 2.

  • Attendance Dates: Request Enrollment Verification or Transcripts from the Office of the Registrar.

  • DSO/ARO Contact Information:

    • Advisor Name: International Services and Engagement Office or the DSO on your most recently issued I-20/DS-2019
    • Advisor Email: iStudents@ucsd.edu
    • Advisor Phone Number: 858-534-3730

Change your SEVIS Transfer/Release Date

If you decide that you would like to be released at a different date, contact ISEO at least 10 business days before the SEVIS release date so that we may act accordingly.

If we do not hear from you before your SEVIS release date, your record will be transferred and you will need to contact your new institution regarding any questions you may have about your SEVIS record.