As an international student, school is your home away from home. You want to be sure your school and program of study is right for you.
If it’s not, international students on an F-1 visa have the option to transfer schools upon arrival in the U.S. If you plan to transfer schools, there are a few things you should do to remain in compliance with U.S. laws.
Know [how to maintain your immigration status as an international student.]
Before you can transfer to another school, make sure the school you want to attend is certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. A list of certified schools can be found online. Make sure to work with the designated school officials at both your current and new school. They each play an important role in your transfer process.
Once you have been accepted to the new school of your choice, contact that school’s designated school official. You’ll need that individual’s contact information, as well as the new school’s Student and Exchange Visitor Information System code.
From there, you will need to work with the designated school official at your current school. Together, you will determine a transfer release date based on your school’s academic calendar, your travel plans and, if applicable, your work situation.
Get [tips on finding a U.S. college that fits your needs.]
The transfer release date is when the designated school official at your new school takes responsibility for your SEVIS record. Your SEVIS record must be up to date for you to maintain legal immigration status in the U.S., so it’s crucial you keep open lines of communication with this official.
To maintain legal immigration status, international students need to continue to attend classes while waiting for their transfer release date. Otherwise, your designated school official could terminate your SEVIS record for not abiding by the terms of your student visa.
Once you have a transfer release date, be sure to work closely with the designated school official at your new school. They must create a new Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” for you. You are required to contact this designated school official within 15 days of the program start date on your new Form I-20.
Check out [five questions to ask your college’s international students office.]
It’s important to note that international students currently employed while studying in the U.S. cannot continue to work after their transfer release date. Once at your new school, you must talk with your designated school official about obtaining authorization to resume employment.
If you are new and just arrived in the U.S., but want to transfer to a new school before beginning classes, you must provide your original school with proof — such as an acceptance letter — that you were accepted to the new SEVP-certified school.
You also need to report to your new school and enroll in a full course of study within 30 days of your arrival in the states. For more information about transferring schools as an international student, visit the Study in the States website.
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Tips for International Students Looking to Transfer Schools originally appeared on usnews.com
