To learn how to transfer your SEVIS record (I-20) from another institution to MSU, follow the steps below.

Step One

Receive MSU acceptance letter.

Step Two

Complete the MSU Transfer In eForm. 

• Provide your MSU acceptance letter to an international student advisor at your current institution.
• Choose a SEVIS release date and detail that date on the MSU Transfer In eForm. This date is important because MSU cannot issue an I-20 until after that date.
• The SEVIS release date must be within 60 days of your graduation or the end date listed on your I-20.
• Ask an international student advisor at your current institution to release your SEVIS record (I-20) to Michigan State University on the SEVIS release date.
• Your current institution may have a transfer out form that you have to complete.

Step Three

Undergraduate Students

• Provide your proof of funding to the MSU Office of Admissions and pay your Advanced Enrollment Deposit (AED).
• Check Your Account for required documents and admissions information. 
• Learn more about next steps for admitted international students on the MSU Office of Admissions website.

Graduate Students without an assistantship

• Provide your proof of funding to your MSU department.

Step Four

MSU's OISS will issue a transfer-pending I-20 to you within 14 days of your SEVIS release date. There will be a delay if you do not submit your proof of funding to MSU. 

Step Five

Check your MSU email address. OISS will email your I-20 to your MSU email address. Print and sign your Transfer-pending I-20. 

Step Six 

Attend orientation.

To transfer your SEVIS record (I-20) from MSU to another institution, follow the steps below.

Eligibility for a SEVIS Record Transfer

1. You must be maintaining F-1 status.
2. If you have already graduated, but have not applied for OPT; you must be within your 60-day grace period.
3. The course of study at the transfer-in school must begin at the next available semester or session, which must be no more than 5 months from the end of the student's studies at the transfer-out school. 
4. Students on OPT must maintain their status and remain in a valid OPT period
5. For students authorized for post-completion OPT, the new program start date must be within five months of your SEVIS "transfer out" date or the end of the OPT authorization, whichever is earlier. OPT ends on the transfer release date.

Transfer Out Steps

Step One

Get admitted to another SEVP-certified institution.

Step Two

Complete the MSU SEVIS Transfer Out Request eForm

You will need the following information

• Name of the new school
• SEVIS School Code for the new school 
• Contact information for the official at the new school's international office

Step Three

OISS will transfer your SEVIS record (I-20) to your new institution on the SEVIS release date.

Step Four

Check with your new institution for information regarding required financial documents, next steps for admitted students, and orientation. Your new institution can create a transfer-pending I-20 for you after OISS transfers your SEVIS record (I-20). 

Eligibility Requirements

You are eligible to transfer your J-1 SEVIS record (DS-2019) if you meet the following requirements:

• You have been admitted to a full-time academic program at MSU.
• You are currently in valid J-1 student status in a degree program.
• The purpose of the transfer is to complete the original educational objective for which you first came to the U.S. as a J-1 Student. If you are making a change to your field of study, you are not eligible for a J-1 transfer.
• Your current institution must electronically "transfer out" your J-1 SEVIS record to MSU before the expiration of your current DS-2019.

How to Transfer

If you're transferring to another institution as a J-1 Student, you need to ask OISS to release your SEVIS record (DS-2019) to the new institution on a date that you choose, called the SEVIS "release date." Your new institution will have ownership of your record on the release date. Your new institution can create a DS-2019 for you after the release date.

Eligibility Requirements

• The purpose of a J-1 student transfer must be to complete the original educational objective for which you first came to the U.S. as a J-1 student. If you are making a change to your field of study, you are not eligible for a J-1 student transfer.
• To transfer your SEVIS record (DS-2019), you must be maintaining J-1 status and your DS-2019 end date must be in the future.

How to Transfer