Transfer Out of UNT/IELI

RULE PUBLICATION ANNOUNCEMENT

A new federal immigration rule has been published. The effective date of this rule is delayed due to a preliminary injunction order issued on September 14, 2026.
We will update our webpage as more information becomes available.
The rule replaces Duration of Status (D/S) with fixed‑date admissions for student and exchange visitor visa holders in the U.S., and makes changes to regulations related to educational objectives, including requirements affecting transfers, changes of major, and changes of degree level.

End of Duration of Status and Changes to Academic Mobility | Zoom Meetings Every Wednesday and Thursday
Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m. | Thursdays at 3:30 p.m.
MEETINGS WILL NOT BE HELD OCTOBER 7 OR OCTOBER 8

Graduate students are NOT permitted to transfer to another school in the U.S. If you wish to go to a different graduate program, you will need to exit the U.S. and re-enter using the new program I-20.

Submit a Transfer Clearance Form (or similar) from your new school to International Student and Scholar Services

If you are applying to several schools, submit a transfer form for each school.
The transfer form does not require that you attend a school nor does it transfer your SEVIS electronic file.

Once you have determined which school you will attend, complete the Ending Studies at UNT form.

IELI students must visit the IELI Main Office to complete the required paperwork.
ISSS will transfer the SEVIS electronic file to the new school at the end of the academic term.

The new school will issue a new I-20 upon receipt of the SEVIS file.

The I-20 must be issued within your graace period, and you must be enrolled at the new school within 5 months.
If you want to remain in the U.S. while you wait for your new program to start, you must also file for an Extension of Stay (EOS) with USCIS.
If traveling outside the U.S. after your studies are completed at UNT, you MUST use the I-20 from the new school to re-enter the U.S.
- Once you re-enter you must attend the new school.
- If there are time constraints, please contact the new school to discuss method of getting the new I-20 to you.

The first time you enter the U.S. as an F-1 student, the school listed on the visa stamp must match the school on the I-20.

When you transfer schools, as long as the visa is valid, the school on the visa stamp does not need to match the school on the transfer I-20.

If you are a J-1 student, please consult an International Advisor at jinfo@unt.edu.