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Transfer

For immigration purposes, a transfer process must be followed for any student who is attending one U.S. institution and wishes to attend another. Please note: this is not the same as an academic transfer. This includes students who:

• began a degree program (e.g., Ph.D.) at one school and will continue it (e.g., Ph.D.) at Princeton University

• completed a degree program (e.g., a Bachelor’s, or Optional Practical Training) at one school and will start another (e.g., a Ph.D.) at Princeton University

Therefore, if you are attending another institution in the U.S. in F-1 or J-1 status and plan to enroll at Princeton University, a transfer process must be completed. 

School/Program Transfer

The first step is, in consultation with your current school's international student advisor, to complete the Eligibility Confirmation Form for School Transfer by an F-1 Student or the Eligibility Confirmation Form for School Transfer by a J-1 Student. This form is required of all students currently in the U.S. in F-1/J-1 status, regardless of whether or not the student intends to travel outside of the U.S. You'll decide on a "release date" which your current school's advisor will enter in the SEVIS database. After the release date, the Office of Visa Services (OVS) will be able to produce an I-20/DS-2019 for you. Be sure to discuss any interim travel or work plans you have with your international advisor as that may affect your transfer procedure. After the form has been completed by you and your current international advisor, you should sign and return the form to OVS. You cannot be issued a visa document from Princeton University until this form has been completed and your SEVIS record release date has been reached. Once you have been issued a visa eligibility document from Princeton, you must report to the Office of Visa Services within 15 days of the start date on your I-20/DS-2019 to have your transfer completed. We will then complete the transfer process by notifying immigration that you are now a full-time student at Princeton University. Your transfer is not complete until this electronic notification has been completed and a new I-20/DS-2019 has been issued to you.

DEADLINE: If you are graduating from your current school, and you plan to transfer your F-1/J-1 status to Princeton, you must transfer your F-1 record NO MORE THAN SIXTY (60) DAYS AFTER YOU GRADUATE from your current school. If you are transferring your J-1 record, you must do so NO MORE THAN THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER YOU GRADUATE.

Travel

If you plan to travel outside the US and will need to return using the I-20/DS-2019 issued by Princeton University, you must consult with Mladenka Tomasevic, the International Graduate Student Advisor at the Office of Visa Services prior to traveling.

Work

If you have an assistantship, you may not begin it until you complete appropriate transfer procedures. You may not engage in any on-campus work until your transfer has been completed.

Status

Please note that if you have not pursued a full course of study at the institution where you were last authorized to attend, you should consult your current international student advisor or Mladenka Tomasevic, the International Graduate Student Advisor at Office of Visa Services regarding reinstatement to student status.