For immigration purposes, you are considered an F-1 SEVIS transfer student if you are currently studying in F-1 status at another U.S. institution and plan to transfer your active SEVIS record to Texas Christian University (TCU) to begin a new academic program. Please note that this transfer designation applies only to your immigration status and does not necessarily reflect your academic status at your current or previous institution.

Important: TCU generally does not accept completed or terminated SEVIS records, except in very limited and approved circumstances. If a transfer is approved under these conditions, you would be required to apply for reinstatement with USCIS. Alternatively, we recommend requesting a new SEVIS record, departing the U.S., and re-entering on a new I-20 issued by TCU.

Note: The SEVIS transfer process must be initiated by your current institution, which holds your SEVIS record, and is finalized by TCU once your transfer release date is reached. Please note that your new TCU I-20 cannot be issued until the SEVIS record is officially released on the designated SEVIS release date.

F-1 Transfer Eligibility Requirements

• Student must be maintaining valid F-1 status at the time of transfer.
• Must notify their current school of the intent to transfer within 60 days of program completion or the end of OPT.
• The new program must begin within 5 months of the current program’s end date or the end of authorized OPT

Steps to Submit a Transfer In Request

1. Contact your current school or immigration sponsor to confirm your eligibility for a SEVIS transfer.
2. Follow your current school’s procedures to request a SEVIS transfer-out. Note: Your SEVIS transfer release date must be set before the start date of your academic program at TCU.
3. Complete the New International Student I-20 Profile and upload all required documentation through the ISO Gateway.

For more information, please reach out to our office after you have been admitted to TCU.

Exchange Visitors may transfer from one designated J-1 program sponsor to another within the same J-1 category. Students wishing to change J-1 sponsorship—whether to attend a different institution or to transfer sponsorship from a program such as Fulbright to TCU’s Exchange Visitor Program—must complete the J-1 transfer process prior to the end date listed on their current Form DS-2019.

J-1 Transfer Eligibility

Students in J-1 status may transfer to or from Texas Christian University if they meet the following criteria:

• Have been admitted to TCU and are eligible to receive a Form DS-2019
• Are maintaining valid J-1 status
• Are currently enrolled full-time, on an authorized vacation term, or engaged in approved academic training

Students who have been admitted to an academic program at TCU and are currently in the U.S. under the same J-1 category must submit a completed Transfer-In Verification Form along with their DS-2019 request through the ISO Gateway. TCU will issue a new Form DS-2019 once the form is received and the SEVIS “transfer release date” is reached.

All new J-1 students must report to the International Services Office (ISO) within 15 days of the SEVIS transfer release date to complete the transfer process.

Students currently sponsored under a different J-1 program sponsor who wish to transfer to TCU’s J-1 program must first consult with the ISO to determine eligibility and next steps.