Your F-1 Status and the SEVIS System
At the heart of your F-1 status is the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), a government database that tracks your academic journey. Your Form I-20, the Certificate of Eligibility, is a direct reflection of your SEVIS record. Any significant
change to your studies must be updated in SEVIS by a Designated School Official (DSO). The DSO is a university staff member authorized to handle immigration-related matters for international students. Keeping your SEVIS record accurate is not just paperwork; it is a legal requirement for staying in the U.S.
Scenario 1: Changing Your Major
Deciding to change your major is common. For an F-1 student, this requires more than just informing your academic advisor. Once your new major is academically approved by the university, you must immediately contact your DSO. They are legally required to update your SEVIS record with the new major and its corresponding Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code. Following this update, they will issue you a new I-20. This step is vital because your eligibility for future work authorization, like Optional Practical Training (OPT), is directly tied to the major listed on your final I-20. Neglecting this update can be considered a violation of your student status.
Scenario 2: Transferring to a New School
Transferring between U.S. institutions involves a specific immigration process known as a SEVIS transfer. This is separate from your academic transfer of credits. The first step is to gain admission to another SEVP-certified school. Once accepted, you must inform the DSO at your current school of your intent to transfer, providing them with your acceptance letter and the SEVIS school code of your new institution. You and your current DSO will then agree on a "SEVIS release date." This is the day your SEVIS record is electronically transferred to the new school. After this date, your current DSO can no longer access your record.
Completing the Transfer Process
After the SEVIS release date, the DSO at your new school will gain access to your record and issue a new Form I-20 marked as "Transfer Pending." It is crucial that you contact the new DSO as soon as possible. You must report to your new school and complete their check-in process, which must occur no later than 15 days after the program start date on your new I-20. One major benefit of a proper SEVIS transfer is that your SEVIS ID number remains the same, and you typically do not need to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee again. Furthermore, if your F-1 visa stamp is still valid, you can continue to use it for travel, even if it lists your old school's name.
Critical Timelines and Rules to Remember
Timing is everything. To be eligible for a SEVIS transfer, you must begin your new program within five months of your last day of attendance at your old school or the end date of your post-completion OPT. If the gap is longer, the transfer process is not an option; you would likely need to leave the country and re-enter with a new initial I-20 and a new SEVIS record. Throughout any transfer, you must continue to maintain your F-1 status. If you are still in a program, this means attending classes until your SEVIS release date. Proactive communication with the DSOs at both your current and new schools is the single most important factor for a smooth transition.
