I-20 Transfer Procedures - Center for Global Engagement

Students who are already in the United States with in F-1 status must transfer their SEVIS records in order to attend a CGE program.

F-1 students are considered "transfer students" for immigration purposes if they:

1. Have "Active" SEVIS record at their current schools and in valid F-1 status, and;
2. No more than five months has passed from their last date of attendance at their current school OR their last day of OPT (whichever is later).

F-1 international students can attend orientation and register for classes while waiting for their transfer I-20 to be issued by CGE.

Steps to transfer SEVIS records to CGE:

Step 1

Notify a Designated School Official (DSO) at their current school that they have been admitted to CGE by providing admission letter and transfer form. Students' SEVIS record need to be transferred to:

American Language Institute: SFR214F00630008
Downtown Campus (Certificate Programs): SFR214F00630007

Step 2

A Designated School Official (DSO) at their current school will transfer their record to CGE. The transfer date will most likely be the last day of their attendance at their current school. The transfer date should be before or within 15 days of the semester start date at CGE.

Step 3

A "Transfer I-20" will be issued by CGE.
Students are advised to check their program on their transfer CGE I-20 to ensure it accurately reflects their current program at CGE.

If students have questions about receiving transfer I-20, please email globaled@sfsu.edu.

If current F-1 international students transferred to another school for one semester only, they are eligible to transfer their SEVIS record back to CGE without reapplying for admissions.

Step 1

To request a transfer I-20, upload the following documents to the Box folder. We accept digital signatures, scanned copies, and high-resolution/clear pictures of the completed form and documents.

An F-1 international student advisor will review their request and issue an initial I-20 within five business days. Students must clear all the registration holds in order to receive I-20s.

• A signed Financial Affidavit Form. Choose the appropriate form depending on your program:
  • ALI/EAP Financial Affidavit Form
  • Academic Programs Financial Affidavit Form
  • This form will allow students' sponsor(s) to verify the specific amount they will sponsor for their studies at CGE.
• Proof of Finances dated within the past six months
  • The bank/financial documents must be dated within the past six months from the date you email the complete documents to CGE.
  • You and/or your sponsor(s) must prove that you can pay for school costs plus living expenses for one academic year.
  • Acceptable types of proof: A balance verification issued by the bank or Financial Guarantee/award letters issued by the scholarship organization.

Step 2

Students must notify a Designated School Official (DSO) at their current school that they have been admitted to CGE. Their SEVIS record needs to be transferred to:

American Language Institute: SFR214F00630008
Downtown Campus (Certificate Programs): SFR214F00630007

Step 3

A Designated School Official (DSO) at their current school will transfer their record to CGE. The transfer date will most likely be the last day of their attendance at their current school. The transfer date should be before or within 15 days of the semester start date at CGE.

Step 4

• Transfer I-20 will be issued by CGE.
• I-20s will be emailed to students' email accounts.

Students are advised to check their program on their transfer CGE I-20 to ensure it accurately reflects their current program at CGE.

Students must receive their transfer I-20 within 15 days of the semester start date at CGE.

Failure to receive a transfer I-20 within 15 days of the semester start date will result in loss of their legal status in the U.S.

Students' new academic program must start within five months of:

• Their current CGE semester end date (grades available on their SF State Gateway), OR
• Their OPT end date: If they are on Post-Completion OPT and they wish to transfer to another school in the middle of their OPT period, their OPT will end on the day our office transfers their SEVIS record.
• They must begin classes at their new school at the next available term or within five months, whichever is sooner. See Transfers for F-1 Students info at Student and Exchange Visitor Program.

Please email globaled@sfsu.edu with a copy of your new school admission letter and transfer form if any to request students' SEVIS record to be transferred to another school.

ATTENTION

1. Students must indicate the "School SEVIS Code" from their new school. They may find it either on their acceptance letter, or their new school's website for F-1 international students. Check with their new school if they do not know the code.
2. Students may decide on the "SEVIS release date" based on their new schools program start date, or their OPT end date if students are on OPT. They may also check with their new school to see when is the latest they must receive their SEVIS record in order to issue them a new transfer I-20. This date is up to them to decide.

CGE will process their request within five business days.

CGE will not be able to access SEVIS records after SEVIS release date. Students must notify CGE BEFORE the SEVIS release date if they wish to cancel transfer.

• If students are current CGE students, their transfer out deadline is the Last Day to Drop/Withdraw Classes without a Grade of W date posted on SF State Registrar's website.
• If students have completed their program at CGE, their transfer out deadline is within 60 days of the Grades Available on SF State Gateway date posted on SF State Registrar's website.
• If students Post-Completion OPT is ending, their transfer out deadline is within 60 days of their EAD end date.

Students can travel outside the U.S. while waiting for their transfer I-20 and return to the U.S. with the transfer I-20 issued by the schools they plan to attend. Students are not required to apply for new F-1 visas just because they transferred to another school. Students can enter the U.S. with their transfer I-20s, valid passports, and valid F-1 visa, even if their F-1 visas show their previous school's names.

If students are transferring to CGE:

• They must have transfer I-20 issued by CGE at the time they return to the U.S.
• It is important to inform CGE about their travel plans so they can receive transfer I-20s in a timely manner.

If students are transferring from CGE to another school:

• They must return to the U.S. with the transfer I-20 issued by their new schools.

If students are transferring to CGE:

They can only start on-campus employment if they meet the following three requirements:

1. They have enrolled full-time at CGE
2. They have received transfer I-20 issued by CGE
3. The semester is starting within 10 days

Learn how to obtain On-Campus Employment Authorization.

If students are transferring from CGE to another school:

Students' last day to work on campus is the "Semester End Date" posted on Academic Calendar, or their SEVIS release date, whichever is earlier.

For example, if the semester end date is June 5, but their SEVIS record got transferred to another school on June 3, they will only be able to work on CGE campus until June 3.