I-20 Transfer Procedures

Students who are already in the United States with in F-1 status must transfer their SEVIS records in order to attend SFSU as degree seeking students. 

F-1 students are considered "transfer students" for immigration purposes if they: 

• Have "Active" SEVIS record at their current schools and in valid F-1 status, and
• No more than 5 months has passed from their last date of attendance at their current school OR their last day of OPT (whichever is later).

F-1 international students can attend orientation and register for classes while waiting for their transfer I-20 to be issued by SFSU. 

Steps to transfer SEVIS records to SFSU:

Step 1

Notify a Designated School Official (DSO) at their current school that they have been admitted to SFSU.  Students' SEVIS record need to be transferred to:

San Francisco State University (SFSU)
SFR214F00630000

Step 2

A Designated School Official (DSO) at their current school will transfer their record to SFSU.  The transfer date will most likely be the last day of their attendance at their current school.  The transfer date should be before or within 15 days of the semester start date at SFSU.

Step 3

A "Transfer I-20" will be issued by International Admissions (Undergraduate students) or Graduate Studies (Graduate students). 

Students are advised to check their degree level on their transfer SF State I-20 to ensure it accurately reflects their current degree level at SFSU.

If students have questions about receiving transfer I-20, please contact: 

If current F-1 international students transfer to another school for one semester only, they are eligible to transfer their SEVIS record back to SFSU without reapplying for admissions.  

Step 1

To request a transfer I-20, email the following documents to f1@sfsu.edu from the SFSU email account. We accept digital signatures, scanned copies, and high-resolution/clear pictures of the completed form and documents.  

An F-1 international student advisor will review their request and issue an initial I-20 within 5 business days. Students must clear all the registration holds to receive I-20s.

• A signed New I-20 Request Form (PDF, 209 KB). Check the first box under “Type of request”. Type “Transfer back” in the “Provide reason” box.
• A signed Financial Affidavit Form (PDF, 296 KB)
• Proof of Finances: students and/or their sponsor(s) must prove that they have the financial ability to pay for school costs plus living expenses for one academic year. 
  • See page 1 of the Financial Affidavit Form for the minimum amount of funds they are required to have.
  • Acceptable types of proof: balance verification issued by the bank or Financial Guarantee/award letters issued by the scholarship organization.
  • The proof must be issued within the past 6 months.
  • If they have sponsor(s), their sponsor(s) must provide a Sponsor’s Letter. See the template Microsoft Word, 12 KB) signed by their sponsor(s) along with the financial proof.
  • Photocopies are acceptable.

Step 2

Students must notify a Designated School Official (DSO) at their current schools that they have been admitted to SFSU. Their SEVIS record needs to be transferred to:

San Francisco State University (SFSU)
SFR214F00630000

Step 3

A DSO at their current school will transfer their record to SFSU. The transfer date will most likely be the last day of their attendance at their current school.  The transfer date should be before or within 15 days of the semester start date at SF State.

Step 4

• Transfer I-20 will be issued by the Division of International Education.
• I-20s will be emailed to students' SFSU email accounts.

After they receive the transfer I-20, students must check their degree level on their new SFSU I-20 to ensure it accurately reflects their current degree level at SF State.

Students must receive their transfer I-20 within 15 days of the semester start date at SFSU.

Failure to receive a transfer I-20 within 15 days of the semester start date will result in loss of their legal status in the U.S.

The Spring 2025 deadline to receive transfer I-20:  February 17, 2025

Students' new academic program must start within 5 months of:

• Their current SFSU semester end date (grades available on their gateway), OR
• Their OPT end date: If they are on Post-Completion OPT and they wish to transfer to another school in the middle of their OPT period, their OPT will end on the day our office transfers their SEVIS record.
• They must begin classes at the their new school at the next available term or within five months, whichever is sooner.  See Transfers for F-1 Students info at Student and Exchange Visitor Program.

To request students' SEVIS record to be transferred to another school, sign and complete the following online I-20 Transfer Out Request Form.

ATTENTION

1. Campus Financial Obligation: Students must ensure that any outstanding balance with SFSU is paid off. To check your balance, log in to your Student Center at sfsu.edu/login and review the financial information section. It is essential for students to settle all remaining balances listed in the Student Center before concluding studies at SFSU.
2. Students must indicate the "School SEVIS Code" from their new school.  They may find it either on their acceptance letter, or their new school's website for F-1 international students. Check with their new school if they do not know the code.
3. Students may decide on the "SEVIS release date" based on their new schools' program start date, or their OPT end date if students are on OPT. They may also check with their new school to see when they must receive their SEVIS record to issue them a new transfer I-20. This date is up to them to decide.

We will process students' requests within 5 business days.

We cannot access SEVIS records after the SEVIS release date. Students must notify our office BEFORE the SEVIS release date if they wish to cancel the transfer.

• If students are currently attending SFSU, their transfer out deadline is the Last Day to Drop/Withdraw Classes without a Grade of W or WU date. This date is posted on the Registrar's website.
• If students have completed their program at SFSU, their transfer out deadline is within 60 days of the Grades Available on the SFSU Gateway date posted on the Registrar's website.
• If students' Post-Completion OPT is ending, their transfer-out deadline is within 60 days of their EAD end date (within their 60-day grace period).

Step 1: Withdraw from classes

Students can withdraw from all the classes AFTER they meet with an F-1 international student advisor and obtain TORF approval. Follow the instruction at Dropping and Withdrawing | Registrar's Office (sfsu.edu)

Step 2: Tuition refund (if eligible)

Complete the Refund Request for Tuition and Fees form. Submit this form at the Bursar’s counter at One Stop in the Student Services Building, or on the first floor of the Administration Building. Please only request a refund after withdrawing from all classes.

Step 3: Cancel health insurance

Students may only request a refund after withdrawing from all classes and once they are physically outside the U.S.

No insurance refund will be given after the drop/add deadline. See Health Insurance Requirement & U.S. Health Care for insurance refund policy.

Students can travel outside the U.S. while waiting for their transfer I-20 and return to the U.S. with the transfer I-20 issued by the schools they plan to attend.  Students are not required to apply for new F-1 visas just because they transferred to another school.  Students can enter the U.S. with their transfer I-20s, valid passports, and valid F-1 visa, even if their F-1 visas show their previous school's names.

If students are transferring to SFSU: 

• They must have transfer I-20 issued by SFSU at the time they return to the U.S. 
• It is important  to inform International Undergraduate Admissions or Division of Graduate Studies about their travel plans so they can receive transfer I-20s in timely manner.

If students are transferring from SFSU to another school:

• They must return to the U.S. with the transfer I-20 issued by their new schools.

If students are transferring to SFSU: 

They can only start on-campus employment if they meet the following three requirements:

1. They have enrolled full-time at SFSU
2. They have received transfer I-20 issued by SFSU
3. The semester is starting within 10 days

Learn how to obtain On-Campus Employment Authorization.

If students are transferring from SFSU to another school:

Students' last day to work on campus is the "Semester End Date" posted on Academic Calendar, or their SEVIS release date, whichever is earlier. 

For example, if the semester end date is June 5, but their SEVIS record got transferred to another school on June 3, they will only be able to work on SFSU campus until June 3.