F-1 Transfer Out

To maintain status F-1 visa holders who change universities must arrange for the transfer of both their academic and immigration records.

Transferring a student’s SEVIS immigration record requires coordination between the student, the UT Dallas International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) and the new institution.

Students who complete a transfer out will not be automatically dropped from their courses due to transfer out, lack of attendance, or non-payment. Students are solely responsible for ensuring that they have successfully dropped their courses in order to avoid additional fees and charges to their account and to avoid receiving a grade of ‘F’ for nonattendance. Visit https://registrar.utdallas.edu/registration/ for instructions on how to drop your courses.

Announcements

Any transfer-out requests before attending UT Dallas, will be subject to a fee of $500 and will be processed after classes using the timetable mentioned below. This fee will help cover administrative costs such as advising appointments, live chat and workshops as well as and immigration document evaluation and processing for international students who complete a SEVIS transfer out prior to Census Day in their first term.  

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we implement this change to support our students.

The transfer-out fee and timetable WILL NOT apply to current students and alumni.

Transfer out before attending UT Dallas

If you know you will be attending a different university than UT Dallas prior to arriving, do not enter the United States with a UT Dallas I-20. Take appropriate action to get an I-20 and updated visa for the school you will be attending by contacting the U.S. Consulate or Embassy that issued your F-1 visa stamp.

If your plans change after your departure, you will be subject to the following fees and procedure below.

Check Transfer Timing

The UT Dallas ISSO prioritizes the needs of students who intend to study at UT Dallas. While the ISSO is required to transfer out students who request it, the UT Dallas ISSO can set operational processes for the transfer process. As a result, students who enter the U.S. and seek transfer out without attending will be served during the following timetable.

  • Prior to August 18, 2024: No initial transfer outs will occur while the ISSO welcomes and orients new UT Dallas students.
  • August 19, 2024 – September 4, 2024: Transfer out of all complete requests (with Transfer Out Fee) during these range of dates.
  • September 4, 2024, and later: Transfer out of all remaining requests which meet legal requirements (including, without Transfer Out Fee. Students who harass ISSO and other university staff to expedite transfer outs will also be processed during this time. 

U.S. Department of Homeland Security regulations require all F-1 students to be enrolled in classes within 30 days of their first arrival in the U.S. Before arranging for a transfer, check that the new school’s start date is within 30 days of your U.S. arrival date.

  1. If yes, you may proceed with the transfer
  2. If no, choose from the following:
    • Option A: Enroll at UT Dallas for one semester and then transfer out
    • Option B: Leave the U.S. and return later to attend the desired school. This option would require you to apply for authorized early withdrawal, obtain a new I-20 from the desired school, and pay the SEVIS I-901 fee again.
    • Option C: Proceed to transfer to the desired school. This involves the termination of your SEVIS record and going through a reinstatement process to remain in the U.S. legally. Not all universities will accept a terminated SEVIS record. You will need to confirm with your desired school if they will accept your SEVIS record in terminated status.

Note: If you are considering options #2b or #2c mentioned above, contact a UT Dallas international student advisor for further details.

Request transfer before attending UT Dallas

SSO will begin to transfer out SEVIS records after the start of classes (August 19, 2024), if the Transfer Out Request via iComet is complete:

  1. Proof of admission to the transfer-in school
  2. Pay Transfer Out Fee ($500) via Marketplace
  3. U.S. address (even if temporary)
  4. Copy of F-1 visa
  5. Copy of UT Dallas I-20 with your signature on page 1
  6. Copy of I-94 electronic printout or copy of front and back of white card

Coordinate with the new school to obtain a new I-20 and report to that school.

Please note, since you will not be attending UT Dallas, you are not required to attend the F-1 Status Workshop prior to transferring. However, we encourage you to review information at https://www.ice.gov/sevis/f1-transfers regarding how the program start date at your transfer out school and your arrival date in the U.S. may impact your options.

Transfer out for current students and alumni on OPT

If you have never attended classes at UT Dallas, refer to the Transfer Out Before Attending section.

The transfer out fee WILL NOT apply to current and alumni students. To transfer to another institution when you are a current UT Dallas student or after Optional Practical Training (OPT), you need to:

  1. Gain admission to the new institution.
  2. Check what is needed by the new school to obtain a new I-20. Many schools require a form signed by an international student advisor to verify F-1 status. If so, submit the form to the UT Dallas ISSO. Note: This is an informational form, not a commitment to transfer.
  3. To request the transfer, you must submit:
    • Admission letter from the new school on school letterhead
    • Complete the Transfer Out Request eForm in iComet. This authorizes the ISSO to release your F-1 SEVIS immigration record to the new school.
  4. On the transfer release date, the UT Dallas record deactivates and all UT Dallas work authorizations end. The new school now has access to your immigration information.
  5. Complete the new institution’s requirements to obtain a new I-20.

The Transfer Out Request eForm in iComet will ask you for a “transfer out release date”. There are several things to consider when choosing this date:

  • You cannot continue to work on the UT Dallas campus beyond the release date.
  • If you are a current UT Dallas student the date should be after the last semester of enrollment at UT Dallas. For example, if your last semester of enrollment at UT Dallas is the spring semester, the “transfer out release date” listed should be after the last day of the spring semester.
  • If you are currently authorized for Optional Practical Training (OPT), the OPT automatically terminates when the “transfer-out release date” passes. Choose a release date that is after the last day you intend to work on OPT and no later than 60 days after the end of your OPT end date.
  • If you are traveling internationally between the end of your last semester at UT Dallas and the first semester at the new institution, you cannot re-enter the U.S. after your transfer release date on your current UT Dallas I-20. You must obtain a Transfer Pending I-20 from the new school and re-enter using that document if you are re-entering after the release date.
  • The transfer-in school may have deadlines to meet regarding transfer procedures and issuance of your new I-20. Check with the appropriate office at the new school.