International Student Transfers

There are many reasons an international student may want to transfer from the University of Northern Iowa to another U.S. academic institution. If you wish to transfer away from UNI the immigration & advising coordinator will need to release your SEVIS record to your new school. Then staff at your new institution will be able to prepare a transfer pending I-20 for you. 

Transferring to UNI?
International Engagement

Transferring From UNI to Another School

Meet with the Immigration & Advising Coordinator
  • Discuss your intent to transfer and to determine your “transfer release date.”
  • On this date you will no longer have a formal connection to the University of Northern Iowa.
  • The immigration & advising coordinator will need to complete a “transfer release” in SEVIS.
    • Important: You must be certain that you want to attend that school. If you have admission applications pending at other schools that you may wish to attend, do not request the transfer release until you have made a final decision on the school you want to transfer to.
  • If your new school has mailed you a Transfer Recommendation form, ask the immigration & advising coordinator to complete that form for you
  • If you have violated your legal status, you will not be eligible to transfer your visa status. However, your SEVIS record will still be transferred to your new school, and the international student advisor at the new school can discuss your options to re-enter the U.S. to regain legal status or submit a reinstatement application to the Department of Homeland Security to regain legal status.
  • If your plans change (for example, you decide to transfer to a different school or you decide to continue employment at UNI for a longer period of time), it is essential that you notify the immigration & advising coordinator immediately! Once your SEVIS record has been transferred, the action cannot be rescinded.
Obtain a Transfer Pending I-20
  • When the transfer release date arrives, your new school will gain access to your SEVIS record, and they will be able to process a Transfer Pending I-20 for you.
  • You may use the Transfer Pending I-20 to re-enter the U.S. if you elect to travel before reporting to your new school. When you re-enter, you be required to have a valid F-1 entry visa stamp, and you must be prepared to document the funding resources noted on the I-20. You should also carry a transcript from each school in the U.S. where you have studied.
Get Your Transfer Completed I-20
  • Upon your full-time enrollment at the new school and prior to the 15th day of class, you should ask an international student advisor at your new school to prepare a Transfer Completed I-20 for you.
  • If you have been offered an assistantship or fellowship, you should discuss the transfer deadline with the international student advisor at your new school to avoid losing salary or fellowship funds.
Information About OPT and Transferring Schools
  • The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) does not allow a student to pursue Optional Practical Training (OPT) AND enroll in a program of study.
  • If you have OPT authorization and intend to transfer to a new school to begin a new program of study, be aware that your OPT authorization will become void with your transfer.
  • Contact an international student advisor if you have questions regarding the grace period after OPT expiration and your ability to begin a new program of study beyond the grace period.