Transferring

Transferring In

Transfer Cover Sheet (PDF)

Once accepted to UHCL, students should contact their previous school to have their SEVIS record transferred to UHCL. Transfer forms are not required. UHCL's school code is HOU214F00500000.

After your SEVIS record has been released to UHCL, complete the Check In on the ISD Portal. You will upload your I-20 from your previous school, F-1 visa, valid Passport and most recent I-94.

If you are traveling outside the United States or need to renew your driver license before the beginning of classes, please contact your international student advisor for next steps.  Otherwise, you will receive your transfer completed I-20 within 2 weeks after the start of the semester.

Transferring Out

General Guidance for All

Students can request the transfer out in the ISD Portal as early as they want. The advisor can set up the transfer out date in advance in SEVIS and it will automatically be released just after midnight on the date chosen, if it’s not being transferred on the date processed.

Your transfer-in school will not be able to issue you a new I-20 before the transfer release date.

New program must begin within 5 months of the end of a semester with UHCL or within 5 months of the end of an EAD.

If you decide to cancel your transfer out request, you must notify intladvising@uhcl.edu before your transfer release date. 

Initial Students (never attended UHCL)

• Log into ISD Portal with UHCL credentials under Current Students or create an account under New Students & Alumni
• Submit Check In 
  • Upload UHCL I-20, Passport page, F-1 visa, I-94
• Submit F-1 Transfer Out Request
  • Upload I-94, Admission letter from transfer-in school, transfer-in form from admitted school (if applicable).  For other schools with transfer forms, we will sign the form but will not fill it out further.
• Drop any classes registered for at UHCL (be mindful of refund deadlines)
• Student does not physically need to come to Houston to check in
• Record will be transferred to the new school on the day that it is processed
• Processing time 5-7 business days

Current Students (have attended UHCL, not graduated yet or graduating with no OPT)

•  Submit Transfer Out Request in the ISD Portal
  • Upload I-94, Admission letter from transfer-in school, transfer-in form from admitted school (if applicable). For other schools with transfer forms, we will sign the form but will not fill it out further.
• Drop any classes registered for at UHCL for the upcoming semester (be mindful of refund deadlines)
• Choosing the transfer date:
  • Records will be transferred after the official closing of the semester currently enrolled in (i.e. if requesting to transfer to a new school for the spring semester, transfer out date would be the day after official closing of the fall semester)
  • If requesting the transfer during an authorized break (winter or summer & not enrolled), records will be transferred at the time of processing
  • If transferring at the end of their program (no OPT), can transfer within 60 day grace period after official closing of the semester
• HCC & San Jac have transfer forms to be filled out before admission. These can be emailed to your advisor and emailed back to the student with a reminder to complete the Transfer Out Request in the ISD Portal after admission letter is issued
• Processing time 5-7 business days

Alumni on Post-Completion OPT

• Submit an Optional Practical Training Update to report your last date of employment in the ISD Portal
  • Click on the OPT Update request & choose the employer you are wishing to report the end date. Do not submit a new OPT Update where you have to type the employer in again. You can submit this at the same time as your Transfer Out request in the ISD Portal.
• Submit Transfer Out Request in the ISD Portal
  • Upload I-94, Admission letter from transfer-in school, transfer-in form from admitted school (if applicable).  For other schools with transfer forms, we will sign the form but will not fill it out further.
• Records can be transferred before the Post-Completion OPT EAD ends or during the 60 day grace period after EAD expires
• Choosing the transfer date:
  • Consult with new school to find out when they want your SEVIS record and choose the transfer date based on that information
  • Last date of employment needs to be before the requested transfer date
  • If transfer date is before EAD expires, employment authorization ends on the date of transfer
• SEVIS records will be set up to be transferred automatically on the date requested
• After the transfer release date, UHCL will no longer have access to your SEVIS record or be able to assist with unlocking the SEVP Portal.
• Processing time 5-7 business days

Alumni on STEM OPT

• Submit an Optional Practical Training Update to report your last date of employment in the ISD Portal.
  • Click on the OPT Update request & choose the employer you are wishing to report the end date. Do not submit a new OPT Update where you have to type the employer in again. Upload your completed and signed final evaluation (bottom half of page 5 of the Form I-983). You can submit this at the same time as your Transfer Out request in the ISD Portal. 
• Submit F-1 Transfer Out Request in the ISD Portal
  • Upload Final Evaluation from Form I-983 (bottom half of page 5), I-94, Admission letter from transfer-in school, transfer-in form from admitted school (if applicable).  For other schools with transfer forms, we will sign the form but will not fill it out further.
• Records can be transferred before the STEM OPT EAD ends or during the 60 day grace period after EAD expires
• Choosing the transfer date:
  • Consult with new school to find out when they want your SEVIS record and choose the transfer date based on that information
  • Last date of employment needs to be before the requested transfer date
  • If transfer date is before EAD expires, employment authorization ends on the date of transfer
• Range of evaluation dates on the I-983 for the final evaluation will be the start date with that employer on STEM OPT to the last date worked
• SEVIS records will be set up to transfer automatically on the date requested
• After the transfer release date, UHCL will no longer have access to your SEVIS record or be able to assist with unlocking the SEVP Portal.
• Processing time 5-7 business days

Alumni on Cap-Gap (follow instructions for Post-Completion OPT or STEM OPT depending on the situation)

For transfer out requests during the H-1B Cap-Gap period, they must be requested before April 1 or before the denial of the H-1B, whichever comes first. Contact your international alumni advisor for more information.