F-1 Transfers
Whenever you attend a school in the US, you must have an active immigration record at your new school. If you recently attended another US school, you may be able to transfer your immigration record to William & Mary or VIMS. If you are a William & Mary or VIMS student and plan to attend another US school, we can also transfer your record to your new school.
This is a time-sensitive
Coming from another US school to William & Mary or VIMSTransfer your Immigration RecordTo be eligible to transfer your immigration record to W&M or VIMS, you must be in valid F-1 student status with an active SEVIS If you are not eligible to transfer your immigration record, you can go through the regular new I-20 process instead. How to Transfer your Immigration RecordStep 1: You must be accepted by W&M or VIMS first. Or, if you've taken a leave of absence from W&M or VIMS to study at another US school, you must make sure that your enrollment at W&M or VIMS is again active. Once you receive your acceptance, or have confirmed your enrollment, and are sure that you plan to attend W&M or VIMS, you should contact your current school's international student advisor to ask that the advisor transfer your SEVIS record to W&M or VIMS. Your advisor will need this information:
Step 2: The advisor at your current school must set a future “release date” in SEVIS. This is the date that your immigration record will be released from the control of your current school and made available to W&M or VIMS. The release date is usually set for the end of the semester, after final exams. The date may be set within a grace period (i.e., 60 days after completion of program or OPT). Students on OPT may want to select a release date closer to Step 3: You must complete your I-20 request in iStart. Once your record has been transferred by your previous school, the international student advisor at the Step 4: You will complete your immigration check-in. Do this as early as possible, but no later than 15 days after your program start date. Step 5: The advisor at the Remaining in the U.S. and TravelIf your record has successfully been transferred, and William and Mary or VIMS VisaWhen traveling abroad, you do not need to apply for a new F-1 visa unless your current visa has expired. If a new visa is required, you must apply for one using your new Transfer Pending I-20 from W&M or VIMS. SEVIS FeeIf your SEVIS record has been released to W&M or VIMS, and you are using the new Transfer Pending I-20 from W&M or VIMS, you do not need to pay the SEVIS (I-901) Fee. OPTIf you are on OPT, your OPT automatically ends the date your SEVIS record has been released from your new school to W&M or VIMS, if it has not already expired. Students: Please notify the [[globe, |
Leaving William & Mary or VIMS and attending another US schoolTransfer your Immigration RecordTo be eligible to transfer your immigration record to another school from W&M or VIMS, you must be in valid F-1 student status with an active SEVIS If you are transferring before you graduate, you must also notify the other appropriate offices on campus such as the Dean of Students Office. Leaving William and Mary or VIMS TemporarilyIf you plan to attend your new school only temporarily, it's very important that you transfer your immigration record back to William & Mary or VIMS promptly at the end of your studies there. The transfer back must take place during the 60 day grace period after your new program ends, or you may need a new immigration record before attending again, which may also impact your employment eligibility. Contact How to Transfer to another SchoolStep 1: Login to iStart using your W&M ID and Password. Click on F-1 Student Services in the menu on the left-hand side. Click on Transfer Out Request and complete the form.
Step 2: The Release dates are usually set for the end of the semester, after final exams. Release dates may be within a grace period (i.e., 60 days after completion of program or OPT). Students on OPT may want to select a release date closer to Step 3: The international student advisor at the new school will access the SEVIS record on the release date or later and issue a Transfer Pending I-20. Step 4: You should follow the instructions from the new school regarding check-in and SEVIS registration. TravelIf your record has successfully been transferred to your new school, and your new school has issued your I-20, you can remain in the U.S, as long as your new program begins within 5 months of the end date of your W&M or VIMS program or OPT. If you travel abroad after your W&M or VIMS program or OPT ends but before the program at your new school begins, you must re-enter the U.S. with your new school's Transfer Pending I-20. If you are on OPT, you may travel abroad using your W&M or VIMS current I-20 unless your SEVIS record has already been released by W&M or VIMS. VisaWhen traveling abroad, you do not need to apply for a new F-1 visa unless your current visa has expired. If a new visa is required, you must apply for one using your new school’s Transfer Pending I-20. SEVIS FeeIf your SEVIS record has been released to your new school, and you are using the new Transfer Pending I-20 they give you, you do not need to pay the SEVIS (I-901) Fee. OPTIf you are on OPT, your OPT automatically ends the date your SEVIS record has been released from W&M or VIMS to your new school, if it has not already expired. So when listing a transfer date, choose a date after you plan to stop working. Students: Please notify the [[globe, |