Cornell University ISSO

• Immigration & Visas
• Visa Information for Newly Admitted Students
• F-1 Student Status
• I-20 Extension
• Changing Visa Status to F-1
• Current students: I-20 to request F-1 status
• Employment in F-1 Status
• Optional Practical Training (OPT)
• New OPT Regulation
• OPT Report Form
• Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
• Are you Graduating Soon?
• Leave of Absence & "In Absentia" registration
• Medical Leave of Absence
• Change in Level or Degree Program
• Transfer of Schools
• Bringing F-2 dependents
• For Departments: I-9 for F-1 student

F-1 Students: Transferring your F-1 Status

Transferring TO another school FROM Cornell

Transferring TO Cornell FROM another school

Download this as a handout here.

SCHOOL TRANSFER FOR F1 STUDENTS:

As an F1 student, if you want to begin studying at a different school (except for summer-only programs), you must transfer your immigration status to the new school. This is true even if you first graduate from Cornell and then go on to another degree program at another school. F-1 students who wish to transfer from one school to another must discuss the transfer plans with the immigration advisor at the current school.

To transfer TO another school FROM Cornell:

To transfer to another school FROM Cornell , after you get admitted to the new school, come in to speak with an advisor at the ISSO. Bring any transfer form the new school may want the ISSO to complete (contact the new school to find out if they have a transfer form).

In consultation with the advisor at the ISSO, you will decide on a "release date" which the ISSO will enter in to the SEVIS database. After the release date, the new school will be able to produce an I-20 for you. Be sure to discuss any interim travel or work plans you have with the ISSO advisor as that will effect your transfer procedure.

DEADLINE 60 DAYS AFTER GRADUATION: If you are graduating from Cornell, and you plan to go on to another program at another school, you must discuss your transfer with the ISSO NO MORE THAN SIXTY (60) DAYS AFTER YOU GRADUATE. Even though your release date can be later than that 60 days, the release date must be entered in to the SEVIS database before the end of the 60 day grace period following your graduation from Cornell.

To transfer TO Cornell from another school:

To transfer to Cornell from another school, after you get admitted to Cornell, speak with your foreign student advisor at the International Office of your current school. Bring your letter of admission to Cornell with you as well as the Cornell transfer form (pdf) which we ask that your International student advisor complete. Follow the directions on the form for faxing or mailing it to your Cornell admissions office.

In consultation with the advisor at your international office, you will decide on a "release date" which your current school's international advisor will enter in to the SEVIS database. Be sure to discuss any interim travel or work plans you have with your international advisor as that will effect your transfer procedure. After the release date, your Cornell admissions office will be able to produce an I-20 for you. The Cornell admissions office will also require you to show proof of funding before they will issue you the Cornell I-20. Speak to your Cornell admissions office for the details on proof of funding. Below is a hot linked list of the Cornell admissions offices:

• Graduate Admissions
• Undergraduate Admissions
• Law School Admissions
• Johnson Graduate School of Business Admissions
• Summer and Continuing Education -- this office oversees admissions for many short term and summer programs such as:
  

  - Summer College
  - English for International Students and Scholars
  - Shoals Marine Lab
  - Qatar pre-medical programs
  - summer pre-law programs
  

Don't Forget!! Once you do arrive in Ithaca, you must check in at the International Students and Scholars office to complete your transfer procedure! Click here for more information about checking in at the ISSO.

DEADLINE 60 DAYS AFTER GRADUATION: If you are graduating from your current school, and you plan to go on to another program at Cornell, you must discuss your transfer with your international office NO MORE THAN SIXTY (60) DAYS AFTER YOU GRADUATE from your current school. Even though your release date can be later than that 60 days, the release date must be entered in to the SEVIS database before the end of that 60 day grace period following your graduation.