F-1 and J-1 students may transfer their immigration record to a new school.
To transfer your SEVIS record to UIC, you must be admitted to the University. OIS recommends you discuss the transfer process with your international student advisor at your current school. Be sure to discuss any interim travel or work plans, as they may affect the transfer procedure. Request the international student advisor at your current school release your SEVIS record to UIC, which is called your “SEVIS release date”, or the day in which your SEVIS record will be released to UIC. You will indicate this date on your declaration of finances form, which you may obtain from our website. In addition, you will need to fill out and give to your current international student advisor a Transfer Verification Form. The fax information is listed on this form.
A “transfer-pending I-20″ will be created after your SEVIS release transfer verification form date. If you plan to ravel abroad and the F-1 visa in your passport has expired or you were never issued one because you changed your immigration status in the U.S., you are required to obtain a visa from the nearest U.S. Consulate or Embassy abroad. You must have a valid visa to reenter the U.S.
Once you arrive at UIC, please check-in with the Office of International Services. OIS will be able to generate a second, continued attendance I-20 for you after you have registered for classes, to replace your transfer-pending I-20 as your current document.
If you are graduating from your current school and planning to begin a new program at UIC, you must transfer your SEVIS record NO MORE THAN SIXTY (60) DAYS after you graduate from your current school. Even though your start date can be later than the 60 days, the release date must be entered into the SEVIS database before the end of the 60 days.
Note: the transfer process must be completed by the 15th day of classes. Failure to complete the transfer process within the first 15 days may result in violation of your F-1 student status.
Note to students on Optional Practical Training (OPT): OPT authorization ends on the SEVIS release date.