International Students

Coming to Penn State from Another U.S. Institution (SEVIS Transfer)

International students who wish to transfer to Penn State are considered "SEVIS transfer students" if they meet any of the following conditions and have otherwise maintained their F-1 status:

  • they are currently in the United States and studying at a U.S. institution and will transfer to Penn State;
  • they have completed a program at a U.S. institution and will begin a new program at Penn State in the Fall, Spring, or Summer session
  • they have attended a U.S. institution or completed a program in the United States, and are currently outside the United States, but plan on re-entering to attend Penn State;
  • they have completed a program and are currently pursuing OPT in the United States but will start a new degree program at Penn State.

Every student who wishes to enter the U.S. in F-1 status is issued an I-20 with a unique SEVIS identification number. A transfer of a student's SEVIS record from one institution to another allows a student to keep his or her unique ID number, and maintaining this number for the duration of your stay in the U.S. is critical for maintaining legal status.

Note: A SEVIS transfer is a transfer of immigration documentation and does not imply the transfer of any academic records.

All newly admitted international students are required to complete the International Student Visa Documentation process in order to receive visa-eligibility documentation (I-20/DS-2019) and/or clearance to enroll at Penn State.

Please note:

  1. The International Student Visa Documentation process cannot begin until you have accepted your offer of admission/paid your acceptance fees.
  2. As a part of the International Student Visa Documentation process, you will be prompted to upload copies of the following:
    • Passport photo page
    • Visa
    • Both sides of your I-94 (the I-94 is a small arrival/departure card that you fill out each time you enter the USA)
    • All pages of all I-20s or DS-2019s (including the one that was stamped at the port of entry)
  3. Pre-Arrival Advising will issue you a Request for Release of SEVIS Data form after you have completed the International Student Visa Documentation process and have been pre-approved to receive and I-20/DS-2019.

  • If you are currently an F-1 student:

    When you have decided that you absolutely will attend Penn State, you will provide the International Student Office at your current school with the "Request for Release of SEVIS Data" form and ask to have your record released to The Pennsylvania State University in SEVIS.

  • If you are currently a J-1 student:

    Once you have decided that you absolutely will attend Penn State, please provide your current sponsor with the "Request for Release of SEVIS Data" form and ask to have your record released to The Pennsylvania State University in SEVIS.

    • Please Note: Our office will be unable to prepare a new I-20 or DS-2019 document for you until after you have completed study at your current school or you have completed any period of academic training (CPT/OPT) and your record has been released to The Pennsylvania State University within SEVIS.

    Once your SEVIS record is electronically transferred to Penn State, Pre-Arrival Advising will issue your Penn State I-20/DS-2019. Once you arrive on campus, you will need to participate in the Document Check-in Process.

    Once your SEVIS record has been released to Penn State, you must enter the U.S. on the Penn State "Transfer Pending" I-20 if you plan to travel outside the U.S.

    What do I do to "transfer" to Penn State?

    • If you are currently in the United States and studying at a U.S. institution and will transfer to Penn State:

      You must request (often in writing) that the institution you now attend enter the SEVIS database to release your SEVIS record to Penn State. The International Office at your institution will be able to help you with this request. You will likely be asked by your institution for documentation that shows that you have been accepted by the Undergraduate Admissions Office or Graduate Enrollment Services at Penn State.

    • If you have completed a program at a U.S. institution and will begin a new program at Penn State in the Fall, Spring, or Summer session:

      In addition to requesting that your former institution release your SEVIS record to Penn State, you will need to keep in mind that you must request your release and have that release granted within sixty (60) days following the completion of your former program. Additionally, you must start your program at Penn State within five (5) months of the completion of your former program.

      Example: If you completed your Bachelor's degree at your former school on May 4, you must request and receive a SEVIS transfer no later than July 3 AND you must begin your new program no later than October 3.

    • If you have attended a U.S. institution or completed a program in the United States, and are currently outside the United States, but plan on re-entering to attend Penn State:

      In addition to requesting that your former institution release your SEVIS record to Penn State, you will need to keep in mind that you can be outside the U.S. for no more than five (5) months without being registered in coursework in the U.S. to be eligible for a visa transfer. If you plan to be outside the U.S. for more than five months and do not intend to register in U.S.-based coursework during this time, or have been outside of the U.S. for more than 5 months already, you will not be eligible for a SEVIS transfer. Penn State will need to make a new I-20 with a new SEVIS ID for your re-entry, you will need to pay the SEVIS fee again and you will need to apply for a new F-1 visa per Department of State regulations.

    • If you have completed a program and are currently pursuing OPT in the United States, but will start a new degree program:

      In addition to requesting that your former institution release your SEVIS record to Penn State, you will need to keep in mind that your OPT will terminate on the date that your SEVIS record is released to Penn State. Therefore, if your OPT start date is May 1st and you request that your former institution release your SEVIS record to Penn State on June 10th, your OPT ends on June 10th and you would no longer be eligible to work using that authorization. OPT authorization is not transferrable.

      If you intend to have your SEVIS record transferred after your OPT ends, you will need to keep in mind that you must request your release and have that release granted within sixty (60) days following the completion of your OPT.