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 SF State as degree seeking students. 

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

1. Have "Active" SEVIS record at their current schools and in valid F-1 status, and
2. 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 SF State. 

Steps to transfer SEVIS records to SF State:

Step 1

Notify a Designated School Official (DSO) at their current school that they have been admitted to SF State.  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 SF State.  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 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 SF State.

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

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

Step 1

To request a transfer I-20, email the following documents to f1@sfsu.edu from the SF State 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 in order to receive I-20s.

• A signed New I-20 Request Form

  • This form is an official request for a transfer I-20 at SF State.

  • Check the first box under “Type of request”. Type “Transfer back” in the “Provide reason” box
     

• A signed Financial Affidavit (PDF, 248KB).
  • This form will allow students' sponsor(s) to verify the specific amount they will sponsor for their studies at SF State.
     
• Proof of Finances dated within the past 6 months
  • The bank/financial documents must be dated within the past 6 months from the date you email the complete documents to OIP.   For example, if you submit your paperwork on September 15, 2022, the documents must be issued after March 15, 2022. 
  • You and/or your sponsor(s) must prove that you can pay for school costs plus living expenses for one academic year.  
  • Acceptable types of proof: A balance verification issued by the bank or Financial Guarantee/award letters issued by the scholarship organization.

Step 2

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

San Francisco State University (SFSU)
SFR214F00630000

Step 3

A Designated School Official (DSO) at their current school will transfer their record to SF State.  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 OIP.
• I-20s will be emailed to students' SF State email accounts.

After they receive the transfer I-20, students must check their degree level on their new SF State 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 SF State.

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.

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

• Their current SF State 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. 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.
2. 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 is the latest they must receive their SEVIS record in order to issue them a new transfer I-20. This date is up to them to decide.

OIP will process their request within 5 business days.

OIP will not be able to access SEVIS records after SEVIS release date.  Students must notify OIP BEFORE the SEVIS release date if they wish to cancel transfer.

• If students are current SF State students, their transfer out deadline is the Last Day to Drop/Withdraw Classes without a Grade of W date posted on SF State Registrar's website.
• If students have completed their program at SF State, their transfer out deadline is within 60 days of the Grades Available on SF State Gateway date posted on SF State Registrar's website.
• If students Post-Completion OPT is ending, their transfer out deadline is within 60 days of their EAD end date.

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 SF State: 

• They must have transfer I-20 issued by SF State 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 SF State 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 SF State: 

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

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

Learn how to obtain On-Campus Employment Authorization.

If students are transferring from SF State 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 SF State campus until June 3.