If you complete your studies or wish to leave the U.S. and return home, you must complete the F-1 Notice of Departure form and submit through My OISS.
SEVIS Transfer:
If you plan to continue your studies at another U.S. college or university, you may be able to transfer your Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record.to your new institution.
A SEVIS transfer allows you to continue your F-1 or J-1 status without leaving the U.S. or obtaining a new initial immigration document.
You are eligible for a SEVIS transfer if you:
You are not eligible for a SEVIS transfer if:
Your new program must begin within five months of:
Before you request to transfer your SEVIS record, you will need to choose a SEVIS release date. On this date:
Students who have completed their program:
Must select a release date within the 60-day grace period.
Many students choose the day after final exams in their final semester.
Students on OPT or STEM OPT:
How to Request a SEVIS Transfer
You will need to provide:
OISS will release your SEVIS record to the new school on your requested release date.
Your new school will issue you a new Form I-20.
Travel:
If you travel outside the U.S. after your SEVIS record has been released:
You must re-enter the U.S. using the Form I-20 issued by your new school.
If you have questions about travel, you should contact the international office at the school that will hold your SEVIS record when you re-enter the U.S.
A semester off means you will not enroll in courses at MSU for one or more required academic semesters.
Summer is considered an annual vacation period for most students. If you will enroll in courses at MSU the following Fall semester, you do not need to request a semester off permission.
Fall and Spring are generally required enrollment semesters. If you will not enroll in either a fall or spring semester,, you must depart the U.S., and OISS will need to update your SEVIS record.
Before you take a semester off, you must:
What happens next?
After you depart the U.S., OISS will terminate your SEVIS record for Authorized Early Withdrawal.
When you are ready to return to MSU, contact your OISS advisor to discuss the return process, including how to request a new Form I-20.
You must obtain a new Form I-20 before returning to the U.S.
F-1 students have a 60-day grace period after completing their program.
During your grace period, you may:
During your grace period, you may NOT:
If you plan to continue your studies at another U.S. college or university, you may be able to transfer your Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record.to your new institution.
A SEVIS transfer allows you to continue your F-1 or J-1 status without leaving the U.S. or obtaining a new initial immigration document.
You are eligible for a SEVIS transfer if:
Before you request to transfer your SEVIS record, you will need to choose a SEVIS release date.
On this date:
How to Request a SEVIS Transfer:
Email the following to jvisas@msu.edu:
OISS will review your application within 10– 15 business days.
Your new school will issue you a new Form DS-2019 after the SEVIS release date.
Travel:
If you travel outside the U.S. after your SEVIS record has been released:
You must re-enter the U.S. using the Form DS-2019 issued by your new sponsor.
If you have questions about travel, you should contact the international office at the school that will hold your SEVIS record at the time you will re-enter the U.S.
A semester off means you will not enroll in courses at MSU for one or more required academic semesters.
Summer is considered an annual vacation period for most students. If you will enroll in courses at MSU the following Fall semester, you do not need to request a semester off permission.
Fall and Spring are generally required enrollment semesters. If you will not enroll in either a fall or spring semester,, you must depart the U.S., and OISS will need to update your SEVIS record.
Before you take a semester off, you must:
What happens next?
After you depart the U.S., OISS will terminate your SEVIS record for Authorized Early Withdrawal.
When you are ready to return to MSU, contact your OISS advisor to discuss the return process, including how to request a new Form I-20.
You must obtain a new Form I-20 before returning to the U.S.
J-1 exchange visitors have a 30-day grace period after completing their J-1 program.
Before the completion of your J-1 program, submit the Notice of Departure eForm in MyOISS.
If your program will end more than 14 days before your DS-2019 program end date, we will update your DS-2019 to reflect the actual date your program ends.
During your grace period, you may:
During your grace period, you may NOT:
Certain J-1 exchange visitors may be subject to the Two-Year Home Residency Requirement, also known as Section 212(e) or Two-Year Home Country Physical Presence Requirement.
If you are subject to this requirement, you must spend a total of two years physically present in your home country after completing your J-1 program before you become eligible for certain U.S. immigration benefits such as H-1B, L-1, or U.S. permanent residence (Green Card).
You may be eligible to apply for a waiver of the requirement.
OISS can provide general information about the 212(e) requirement but cannot assist with waiver applications or determine your eligibility for a waiver.
Learn more about the 212(e)Two-Year Home Residency Requirement.
Learn more about the 212(e) waiver process.