Transfers

As an F-1 student, you are eligible to transfer to RIT if your status is valid at the time of transfer. The gap between your previous school and RIT cannot exceed 5-months or the last day of your Optional Practical Training (OPT), whichever is later. The deadline to request a transfer is 60 days after the program completion date or OPT end date, whichever is later.

Steps to Transfer In

1. Once RIT admits you, speak with your advisor in the International Student Office of your current school. Bring your RIT letter of admission as well as the RIT Transfer Form for New Undergraduate or New Graduate students. Your International Student Advisor will complete the form. They will then fax or mail it to the appropriate admissions office at RIT.
2. You will discuss and decide on a “release date” with your international advisor. Your current school's international advisor will enter it into the SEVIS database. Be sure to discuss any interim travel or work plans you have with your international advisor as that will affect your transfer procedure.
3. After the release date is confirmed, RIT will provide you with an I-20. You are required to show proof of funding before RIT can issue your RIT I-20.
4. Once you report to our office, you will be issued a second transfer I-20 indicating that your transfer to RIT is complete.

Steps to Transfer Out

1. Email iss@rit.edu with a copy of your acceptance letter and, if the new school uses one, their SEVIS Transfer form. If your new school does not use a Transfer form, please include their SEVIS school code and your requested transfer release date in your email. Transfers cannot be backdated.
2. An ISS advisor will review your request and initiate the transfer in SEVIS, and confirm with you by email.
3. Automatically, on your transfer release date, your new school will have access to your SEVIS record and can begin processing your updated I-20.

Please note, any transfers must happen before your current DS-2019 program end date. You may not transfer during the 30-day grace period following your current DS-2019 program end date.

Transferring to RIT's Sponsorship

If you are a J-1 student or scholar at another US institution, or if you are a J-1 student or scholar currently at RIT, but on another sponsoring agency's DS-2019, you may be able to transfer to an RIT- issued DS-2019. Please email issj1@rit.edu if you are interested in transferring your J-1 record to RIT, and ISS can review eligibility and procedures with you and your current J-1 Responsible or Alternate Responsible Office.

Transferring to Another US Institution

Steps for J-1 Students

1. Email iss@rit.edu with a copy of your acceptance letter and, if the new school uses one, their SEVIS Transfer form. If your new school does not use a SEVIS Transfer form, please include their SEVIS school code and your requested transfer release date in your email. Transfers cannot be backdated.
2. An ISS advisor will review your request and initiate the transfer in SEVIS, and confirm with you by email.
3. Automatically, on your transfer release date, your new school will have access to your SEVIS record and can begin processing your updated DS-2019

Steps for J-1 Scholars

1. Email iss@rit.edu with a copy of your offer or invitation letter and, if the new institution uses one, their SEVIS Transfer form. If your new institution does not use a SEVIS Transfer form, please include their SEVIS J-1 program code and your requested transfer release date in your email. Transfers cannot be backdated.
2. An ISS advisor will review your request and initiate the transfer in SEVIS, and confirm with you by email.
3. Automatically, on your transfer release date, your new institution will have access to your SEVIS record and can begin processing your updated DS-2019

You may travel and re-enter the US any time between school programs. However, you must re-enter with your RIT I-20 or DS-2019 and not the previous school's document.

• As an F-1 or J-1 student, you must have a valid visa stamp to re-enter the US.
• As an F-1 student, you can use a valid visa stamp issued from your previous university as long as the SEVIS ID number remains the same.
• As a J-1 student, if you plan to re-enter the US following the transfer, you must apply for a new J-1 visa with the new institution's DS-2019. If you remain in the US between your transfers, a new J-1 visa stamp is not required.