Transfer In/Out

You must obtain a Transfer Pending I-20 from the school to which you have been admitted and plan to attend. This page will provide you with the information you need to know.

Student residence hall building at San Francisco State University with students walking along a pathway in front of the building.

You must transfer your SEVIS record to SFSU if you currently have an active SEVIS record, are maintaining valid F-1 status, and fewer than five months have passed since your last date of attendance or the end of your OPT, whichever is later.

Transfer From Another School

Step 1: Notify Your Current School 
Tell your Designated School Official (DSO) that you plan to attend SFSU. Ask them to transfer your SEVIS record to: 
San Francisco State University (SFSU) 
School Code: SFR214F00630000 

Step 2: Record Transfer 
Your DSO will transfer your SEVIS record to SFSU. 

  • The transfer date is usually your last day of attendance at your current school.
  • It must be before or within 15 days of SFSU’s semester start date. 

Step 3: Receive Your Transfer I-20 
After your SEVIS record is transferred, SFSU will issue your Transfer I-20: 

  • Undergraduate students: Contact International Undergraduate Admissions (ugintl@sfsu.edu).
  • Graduate students: Contact Graduate Studies (gradstudies@sfsu.edu). 

You may attend orientation and register for classes while waiting for your Transfer I-20. 
Check that your degree level is correct on the new I-20. 

If you transferred to another U.S. school for no more than three semesters and plan to return to SFSU:

  • Ask your current Designated School Official (DSO) to transfer your SEVIS record to San Francisco State University (School Code: SFR214F00630000)
  • The SEVIS transfer release date must be before the start of the semester or within 15 days of the semester start date
  • Once your DSO confrrm that your SEVIS record has been transferred to SFSU, submit your I-20 request to f1@sfsu.edu.  
    • Follow the instructions for "If You Are Returning to SFSU" on our I-20 Information page
  • You do not need to pay the SEVIS fee again

You must receive your transfer pending I-20 before the start of the semester or within 15 days of the semester start date. Missing this deadline will cause a loss of F-1 status. 

Transfer To Another School

Your new school’s program must start within 5 months of: 

  • The end of your current SFSU semester (when grades are posted), or
  • The end of your Post-Completion OPT.
  • If you transfer during OPT, your OPT will end on the day SFSU transfers your SEVIS record. 

You must begin classes at your new school in the next available term or within five months, whichever comes first. 

  • Pay all outstanding tuition balance.
  • If you are enrolled in future classes, please drop them as soon as possible so that other students may register.
  • Complete and sign the online I-20 Transfer Out Request Form.
    • Provide your new school’s SEVIS Code (found on your admission letter or the new school’s international student website)..
    • Choose your SEVIS Release Date based on your new school’s start date or your OPT end date. Confirm the preferred date with your new school.
    • Submit your request. We will process it within five business days.

You cannot cancel or change your transfer after the SEVIS release date. If you wish to cancel transfer, contact f1@sfsu.edu BEFORE the SEVIS release date.

  • If you are currently attending SFSU but plan to transfer to another U.S. school, you must transfer your SEVIS record by the semester's Last Day to Drop.
  • If you have completed your degree program at SFSU, you must transfer your SEVIS record within 60 days of the "Grades Available on SF State Gateway" date.
  • If you are participating in OPT, you must transfer your SEVIS record within 60 days of your OPT EAD end date, during your F-1 grace period.

Important: Be sure to work with your new school's international student office and submit your transfer request before the applicable deadline. Failure to transfer your SEVIS record on time may affect your F-1 status.

Frequently Asked Questions

Traveling while your SEVIS transfer is pending

  • You may travel outside the U.S. while your transfer I-20 is being processed. Before returning to the U.S., make sure you have received your transfer I-20 and carry it with your valid passport and valid F-1 visa.
  • You do not need to apply for a new F-1 visa simply because you are transferring schools. If your F-1 visa is still valid, you may continue to use it even if it lists the name of your previous school.

If you are transferring to SFSU

  • You must receive your SFSU transfer I-20 before returning to the U.S.
  • Notify International Undergraduate Admissions or the Division of Graduate Studies of your travel plans so your I-20 can be issued in time for your return.

If you are transferring from SFSU to another school

  • You must re-enter the U.S. using the transfer I-20 issued by your new school.

You can begin on-campus employment only if: 

  • You are enrolled full-time at SFSU,
  • You have received your transfer I-20, and
  • The semester begins within 10 days. 

If you are transferring from SFSU to another school: 

  • Your last day to work on campus is either the semester end date or your SEVIS release date, whichever is earlier.
    • Example: If the semester ends on June 5 but your SEVIS record transfers on June 3, you can only work until June 3.