SEVIS Transfer to IU

Transfer your SEVIS record to IU

A SEVIS transfer is a transfer of immigration documentation and does not imply the transfer of any academic records.

You can transfer your SEVIS record to Indiana University Bloomington if you meet any of the following conditions and have otherwise maintained your F-1 status:

You are currently in the United States, studying at a U.S. institution, and will transfer to Indiana University
You have completed a program at a U.S. institution and will begin a new program at IU in the fall, spring, or summer session
You have attended a U.S. institution or completed a program in the United States, and are currently outside the United States, but plan on re-entering to attend Indiana University
You have completed a program and are currently pursuing Optional Practical Training (OPT) in the United States but will start a new degree program at Indiana University

Why do I need to transfer my SEVIS record?

When you entered the United States as an F-1 status student, you were issued an I-20 with a unique SEVIS identification number. Transferring your SEVIS record allows you to keep your unique ID number, which is critical for maintaining legal status.

Once your SEVIS record has been released to IU Bloomington, you must enter the United States on the IU “Transfer Pending” I-20 if you plan to travel outside the country before starting your program.

How to transfer your SEVIS record

The guidelines for transferring your SEVIS record to Indiana University vary depending on your situation.

No matter what your current status is, you must request (often in writing) that the institution you currently attend or have most recently attended enter the SEVIS database to release your SEVIS record to Indiana University. The international office at your institution will be able to help you with this request. You should be asked by your institution for documentation that shows that you have been accepted at IU by the Office of International Services.

See below for additional information pertaining to your situation.

You have completed a program at a U.S. institution and will begin a new program at IU.

You must request your release and have that release granted within 60 days following the completion of your former program. Additionally, you must start your program at IU within five months of the completion of your former program.

For example, if you completed your bachelor’s degree at your former school on May 4, you must request and receive a SEVIS transfer no later than July 3 and you must begin your new program no later than October 3.

You have either studied at or completed a program at another U.S. institution and are currently outside the United States, but plan on re-entering to attend Indiana University.

You can be outside the United States for no more than five months without being registered for course work here to be eligible for a SEVIS transfer.

If you plan to be outside the country for more than five months and do not intend to register in U.S.-based course work during this time, or have been outside of the United States for more than five months already, you will not be eligible for a SEVIS transfer. We will need to make a new I-20 with a new SEVIS ID for your re-entry; you will need to pay the SEVIS fee again. You will also need to apply for a new F-1 visa per Department of State regulations.

You have completed a program and are currently pursuing OPT in the United States, but will start a new degree program.

Your OPT will end on the date that your SEVIS record is released to Indiana University. Therefore, if your OPT start date is May 1 and you request that your former institution release your SEVIS record to us on June 10, your OPT ends on June 10 and you will no longer be eligible to work using that authorization. OPT authorization is not transferrable.

If you intend to have your SEVIS record transferred after your OPT ends, you will need to keep in mind that you must request the release of your SEVIS record and have that release granted within 60 days following the completion of your OPT.

Once you have completed the requirements listed above and have been formally admitted, your new I-20 will be created by OIS. Our staff will make arrangements to either send the I-20 to you (if you plan to travel outside the United States) or keep the document for your arrival in Bloomington.

You are currently attending the Intensive English Program, but will be beginning a new degree program at IU Bloomington.

You will need to have your SEVIS record transferred from the IEP to IU Bloomington after you get admitted to your new program. To do this, please log in to iStart and fill out the SEVIS Transfer Out e-form.

You are currently attending IUPUI or IU South Bend, but will begin studying at IU Bloomington.

Please talk with the international student advisor on your current campus to discuss your plans. Then send an email to ois@iu.edu to request checklist access in iStart.

We can help you through the process

We are here to help! If you have questions, contact us.