Students coming to Rensselaer from a U.S. high school or college/university may need to transfer their SEVIS record to Rensselaer. You may be considered a SEVIS transfer student for immigration purposes. This is different from a transfer student for admissions purposes. A SEVIS transfer refers to when your SEVIS record is electronically sent by a Designated School Official (DSO) at your current institution.

A SEVIS transfer, if eligible, has several benefits: 

• You do not pay the SEVIS I-901 fee again. 
• You keep the same SEVIS ID number you have now.
•  If there is less than 5 months between the end of your current program and the start of classes at Rensselaer, you can legally stay in the U.S.
•  If your F-1 visa is still valid, you can continue to use it until its expiration date (it is OK if your old school's name is on your visa).
• You can use the transfer I-20 from Rensselaer to enter the U.S. one time before school starts at Rensselaer AND can enter more than 30 days before your program starts.

A SEVIS transfer is recommended in the following situations:

• If you graduate from a U.S. high school and plan to study at Rensselaer.
• If you are a current student at another U.S. college/university and plan to continue your studies at Rensselaer.

Eligibility Requirements:

• You must be in active F-1 status.
• You must have an offer of admission from Rensselaer.
• If you have graduated, you must request the SEVIS transfer occur within your 60-day grace period.
• The start of classes at Rensselaer must be within 5 months of one of the following: Academic program completion at your prior institution.  Last day of enrollment at your prior institution.

SEVIS Transfer Process:

Once you have enrolled at Rensselaer, you can request that your current school transfer your SEVIS record to us. To initiate a SEVIS record transfer, follow the steps below:

1. Speak with the International Student Advisor/DSO at your current school to let them know of your intent to transfer your SEVIS record.

2. The International Student Advisor/DSO at your current school will need the Rensselaer SEVIS School Code (BUF214F10057000) to facilitate the SEVIS record transfer.

3. Determine a date for the SEVIS record transfer to occur. Your International Student Advisor/DSO can electronically release your SEVIS record on the same day or schedule a transfer for a future date. The date that the record is released from your current school to Rensselaer is called your SEVIS Record Release Date. Please note: Your Rensselaer “Transfer Pending” Form I-20 will not be created until after your SEVIS Record Release Date.

4. Once your SEVIS Record Release Date has been reached, your current school will electronically release your SEVIS record to Rensselaer. Once your SEVIS Record Release Date arrives, and you have submitted a copy of your passport, we will issue you a Rensselaer “Transfer Pending” Form I-20. This Form I-20 will have the same SEVIS ID number as your previous Form I-20 but it will reflect your new program dates and details. If you are outside of the U.S., you may enter the U.S. with your “Transfer Pending” Form I-20. A travel signature is not required on the form at this time.

Should you have any questions regarding the SEVIS transfer-in process, please contact Megan Whalen at doppm@rpi.edu.