International students maintaining valid F-1 status may transfer to Santa Clara University from another U.S. Service approved school by following the transfer procedures set forth in the regulations. Simply transferring academically from one school to another does not transfer a student's F-1 status unless the student and DSO follow the federal regulations surrounding the transfer process. The transfer process, however, does not require government adjudication. Rather, it is a notification process that takes place as an update event in SEVIS with the active participation of the student, the "transfer out" school, and the "transfer in" school.
Transfer Process:
- Student must inform the DSO at current school ("transfer out") of intention to transfer and provide the DSO with the complete name of SCU: Santa Clara University.
- DSO at transfer-out school will need to release SEVIS record to SCU.
- A release date will be set for SCU to access a student's transfer record. However, if the transfer-out school determines that the student has failed to maintain status, or if the SEVIS record indicates that the student is not in active status, then a release date cannot be set, and the transfer cannot proceed.
- Once a student's record has been released in SEVIS (with a release date), SCU will then issue the SEVIS document.
Transfer Deadlines:
- If a student completes a course of study (or OPT), the student is eligible for transfer through the end of the 60-day grace period. Failure to transfer during the 60-day grace period will result in the loss of your F-1 student visa status and you will be considered "out of status."
- In addition, the start date at the transfer-in school must be within 5 months following the release date set by the transfer-out school, or within 5 months of the program completion date in SEVIS, whichever date is earlier. This means that a student can remain in the United States for no more than 5 months between completing at the transfer-out school and beginning at the transfer-in school (granted the transfer was initiated in SEVIS within 60-days of the completion of program or OPT).
Arrival at SCU:
Upon arriving at Santa Clara University, all new students, including transfer students, are required to bring the following documents to the SCU International Student Advisor at the Drahmann Center within 15- days of arrival (failure to do so will result in the termination of your F-1 student visa):
- SCU SEVIS issued visa document and I-20's from all previous schools attended
- Passport with F-1 visa stamp
- Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record)
Please note that failure to check-in with ISS within 15-days of the begin date of classes will result in the termination of your F-1 student status. The transfer process is not complete until you check-in at ISS. If you have any questions concerning the transfer process please contact International Student Services at 408-554-5260 or 408-551-7090.
