Transfer a SEVIS Record to WashU

F-1 international students are only considered “SEVIS transfer students” for immigration purposes if they are currently in valid F-1 immigration status and no more than 5 months have passed from the last date of attendance OR the last day of OPT (whichever is later) to the start of classes.

The deadline for F-1 students to request a transfer is 60 days after the program completion or OPT end date, whichever is later.

1. Complete your admission to WashU. Your admitting department will request additional documents from you including those specified in Steps 1 & 2 under “Apply for an I-20 or DS-2019” (passport, financial documentation, proof of English language proficiency, and the New International Student Status Form).
2. Notify the international student adviser at your current institution that you intend to transfer to Washington University in St. Louis. The adviser will enter a SEVIS release date into your record. On this date, your SEVIS record will automatically transfer to WashU. You will need to know the WashU SEVIS School Code for your program. Refer to the WashU SEVIS School Codes referenced in the New International Student Status Form.
   SEVIS School Codes for WashU are also listed at the bottom of this page.
3. OISS will create your immigration document after the release date from your former institution. When we issue your I-20 or DS-2019, we will share it with you in the MyOISS platform. We will send you an email which includes login instructions and details on how to retrieve your I-20 or DS-2019. MyOISS also includes details about next steps.

Important note about timing and receiving your I-20 or DS-2019 from WashU: OISS will not have access to your SEVIS record or be able to process your transfer-in request and prepare your Form I-20/DS-2019 until AFTER your SEVIS record has been transferred and released to WashU by your current institution.

Is it common for schools to require the name and contact information for the adviser at the new school (WashU) to process your SEVIS record transfer.

WashU OISS Transfer-in Contact Person:

Natasha Mokeyeva
Tel: 314-935-5910; Email: OISS@wustl.edu

Do not pay the SEVIS I-901 fee if:

• You are a continuing student who has maintained valid J-1 or F-1 status and are staying on the same SEVIS ID (for example, if you are transferring schools or changing your program level within the U.S.)

In these cases, your original I-901 SEVIS fee is still valid.

For more information, visit the DHS I-901 SEVIS Fee FAQ.

• F-1 students: within 60 days of the program end date on the I-20 or within 60 days of the OPT end date.

• J-1 students: by the program end date on the DS-2019.

This guidance applies to F-1 students who are ending an academic program at another U.S. institution (for example program ends in May or June) and transferring to WashU to begin study in fall semester:

• When transferring from one U.S. institution to another, you can stay in the U.S. during the summer between the two programs.
• During the transfer pending period (summer), you can travel outside the U.S. If your current F-1 visa is still valid, you can use it to re-enter the U.S. before the start date of your program at WashU, using the I-20 or DS-2019 from WashU. Check your WashU I-20 and your visa to ensure the SEVIS ID number on your I-20 matches the SEVIS ID number in the annotation section of your student visa to avoid issues at the Port of Entry when re-entering the US. Learn more about your SEVIS ID number.
• Any on-campus employment benefit (at previous school) ends on the date indicated on your I-20 or date of transfer of your SEVIS record to the transfer-in school (WashU), whichever date comes first. 
• If you are on OPT from a previous degree program, selecting the SEVIS transfer release date during the approved OPT period will end your OPT work authorization. It is advisable to choose a release date that is after your OPT end date, UNLESS you are terminating employment early.

J-1 students who wish to transfer their SEVIS record to Washington University in St. Louis from another program sponsor must consult with the international student adviser at their current institution.

Transfer Eligibility Requirements:

• The J-1 category must remain the same.
• The transfer must be requested before the program end date listed on the current DS-2019.
• Students must meet all J-1 eligibility requirements, including funding criteria:
  • Students must have sufficient financial support to cover all academic and living expenses for the full length of the degree program (as defined by normative time), including any accompanying J-2 dependents.
  • At least 51% of total funding must come from institutional or government sources (such as a scholarship, fellowship, assistantship, stipend, or tuition waiver). Personal or family funds, loans, or support from individuals do not count toward this requirement.

Important Transfer Deadlines:

• The J-1 transfer must occur on or before the program completion date or the end date of Academic Training—whichever is later.
• J-1 students cannot transfer during the 30-day grace period following completion of their program or Academic Training.

Re-entry to the U.S. After Transfer:

If the student plans to travel outside the U.S. after initiating the transfer, it is strongly recommended that they apply for a new J-1 visa using the new WashU DS-2019 before re-entering the U.S.