Transferring your SEVIS record 
 

Transfer Deadlines and Timelines

You must:

• Transfer your Active F-1 record within the 60 day grace period after you graduate from your current school, or complete your OPT.
• Transfer your Active J-1 record prior to the end date of your current DS-2019.

5-month start-date limit for F-1 students

If you are an F-1 student, you must transfer your F-1 record no more than 60 days after you graduate from your current school or you complete your OPT. Your program start date must be within 5 months following the release date set by your current school, or within 5 months of the program completion date in SEVIS, whichever date is earlier.

F-1 Students on post-completion OPT

If you are currently on post-completion OPT, you can transfer your SEVIS record only if you begin your program within 5 months of transferring out of your current school that recommended your OPT or the date the OPT ends, whichever is earlier. You are eligible to transfer through the end of the 60-day grace period after completion of your OPT. If you transfer during that period, the 5-month clock begins on the date that you finished your OPT. Your OPT work authorization will end as of your selected release date. 

J-1 Students

If you are a J-1 student, you must transfer your J-1 record before your current DS-2019 expiration date. Your transfer release date will be your new DS-2019 start date. However, your actual program start date at Princeton will be determined by your Department and the Graduate School and, as per the Graduate School Policy, you will not be able to start your program and/or on campus employment before that date.

Returning to the U.S. after Travel Abroad

Students will need to enter the U.S. on the I-20/DS-2019 from the school that currently has access to their SEVIS record. Prior to the release date this is the school you are transferring from and after your release date this will be the school you are transferring to. If you have questions about specific travel plans it is best to talk to an International Student Advisor at the school who will have access to your record at the time you plan to re-enter the U.S. 

Transferring your SEVIS record to Princeton from another U.S. School

F-1/J-1 students who have been admitted to Princeton and are currently in lawful F-1/J-1 immigration status at another U.S. school may be eligible to transfer their SEVIS record to Princeton.

This includes:

• Students who completed high school and will start an undergraduate program at Princeton.
• Students who completed a degree program (e.g., Bachelor’s, Masters) at another school and will start a new program (e.g., Masters, Ph.D) at Princeton.
• Students on Optional Practical Training or Academic Training who will start a new program at Princeton. 

School/Program Transfer

• Complete the Application for Visa Certificate (AVC) and indicate your plans to transfer your SEVIS record. Newly admitted students will receive email instructions from the Davis IC to submit the AVC.
• In consultation with your Davis IC International Student Advisor and Advisor at your current school select your release date. 
• Speak with an International Student Advisor at your current school and complete their required documents.
• Once the record is released and all other documents have been submitted, the Davis IC will process your new form I-20/DS-2019.

Working On-Campus

You may not engage in any on-campus work at Princeton (including assistantship) until your program start date at Princeton as determined by your Department and the Graduate School.

Transferring your SEVIS record from Princeton to Another U.S. School

If you plan to transfer your SEVIS F-1/J-1 record from Princeton to another U.S. institution, most students will submit a Transfer Out Request via TigerNav. You will be required to provide us the following:

• Proof of Admission/Offer Letter to your new school in PDF format.
• Your new School Code.  If you are unsure, please ask a DSO/ARO at your new school for the appropriate code.
• Transfer Form. Your new school may require you to complete a transfer form as well. PDFs can be uploaded directly into the Transfer Out Request with any required student portion completed, or if requested you can provide your new school with the email of your assigned advisor. 
• Your release date. If you are unsure what date to pick please consult with your Davis IC International Student Advisor and Advisor at your new school.

Your record cannot be transferred unless you notify Davis IC of your intent to transfer and submit required forms. Your new school will not be able to access your SEVIS record and issue a new I-20/DS-2019 before the transfer release date. 

Currently Enrolled or Graduating F-1/J-1 Students:

1. Visit TigerNav. Click “Login.” Use your university netid and password to login. 
2. In the left-hand column, click “Student Services” and then “Transfer Out Request”. Complete the form and submit. Please note that you will not be able to save your application as a draft and return to submit it later.

Students on F-1 Post-Completion OPT, STEM Extension, and J-1 students on Post-Graduation Academic Training:

1. Visit TigerNav and scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the link for “Post-Completion Practical Training Students/New Scholar Login” to access a limited services “Login.”
2. Use the link at the bottom of the screen to have your limited services access pin (which will serve as your password) emailed to you, if you have not done so already. Your pin/password will remain the same and you may use the email password link as needed for future logins should you forget your information.
3. Login using your University ID, Date of Birth, and Limited Services Pin/Password.
4. In the left-hand column, click “Student Services” and then “Transfer Out Request”. Complete the form and submit. Please note that you will not be able to save your application as a draft and return to submit it later.