Are you an International Student who is Eligible to Transfer to 51³Ô¹ÏÍø?
International students may tranfer to 51³Ô¹ÏÍø if they meet the following qualifications:
- They are already in F-1 or J-1 status
- They have been offered admission to 51³Ô¹ÏÍø
- They have demonstrated their financial support
Immigration advisers at the previous school should not transfer a SEVIS record until Global Engagement has completely cleared the student for transfer.
Student Responsibilities
The student must complete their 51³Ô¹ÏÍø application and be accepted by the admissions office.
Students must select a date for the SEVIS record transfer. This is often shortly after the end of the previous term, but may also be just before classes begin at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø. (If you are on OPT, remember that any remaining OPT is cancelled once the student transfers to the new school.)
Inform 51³Ô¹ÏÍø's Office of Global Engagement if you will be leaving the U.S. after completing your final term at your previous school and re-entering on the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø I-20.
Inform 51³Ô¹ÏÍø's Office of Global Engagement if you are out of status and need to apply for reinstatement.
Complete the Certificate of Financial Responsibility and send it to the admissions office.
Provide the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Transfer-In Form to the immigration adviser at your previous school.
Check in with 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Global Engagement and attend international student orientation
The Previous School's Responsibilities
We ask that you complete the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Transfer-In Form and email, mail, or fax it to 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Global Engagement.
Indicate when the SEVIS record will be transferred to 51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Transfer the SEVIS record
51³Ô¹ÏÍø Global Engagement's Responsibilities
Confirm that the student is admissible to 51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Register the student's SEVIS record once it has been received
NOTE: Students who are in another non-immigrant status and wish to change to an F-1 status will not do a transfer. Please let us know if this applies to you and we will advise you.
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Transfer Student Process
Step 1 - Apply to 51³Ô¹ÏÍø
All International students must apply for admission to 51³Ô¹ÏÍø with the offices of Undergraduate Admissions or Graduate Admissions.
If you are informed that you must improve your English proficiency before you are eligible for admission, please visit the website for the .
*Step 3 - Send a course by course evaluation of your transcripts to the admissions
WES, etc
Step 2 - Request your immigration documents from OGE
After you have been admitted to 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, Global Engagement (OGE) will advise you on the immigration process.
We will create your record in SEVIS once the necessary documents are provided.
Necessary documents may be all or some of the following;
- Submit SEVIS Transfer In form (complete only if you are in the US in F-1 status at another university)
- Send your current school official the SEVIS Transfer In Form (complete only if you are in the US in F-1 status at another university)
Step 3 - Review Your Document
When you receive your electronic I-20 (if you are an F-1 student) or DS-2019 (if you are a J-1 student) you should review your document.
If you want the original I-20 shipped to you, you can purchase a prepaid label from . If you are a J-1 student, you must ship the original DS-2019. Click here for instructions.
Check the spelling of your name, your date of birth, country of citizenship, country of birth, major, the dates of your program, and your education level.
If something needs to be corrected, contact OGE via email, oge@uncp.edu.
If everything is correct, sign your I-20 or DS-2019 (at the bottom of the first page).
Be sure to read the second page of your I-20 or DS-2019 for important immigration requirements.
Step 4 - Pay SEVIS Fee
All student visa applicants must pay the SEVIS fee prior to going to the U.S. embassy or Consulate for the visa interview.
Students will use the I-20 or DS-2019 issued by the school where they intend to study in order to pay the fee on-line. Payment will be made via the following website, .
Print the receipt and bring it to the Consulate interview as proof of your payment.
Canadian & Bermuda citizens are not required to have an F-1 visa, but they must pay the SEVIS fee and show proof of payment in order to qualify for admission at the Port of Entry (POE).
Step 5 - Apply for Student Visa
You must apply for a student visa from a U.S. Embassy/Consulate. (NOTE: a visa is not required for Canadians).
The U. S. Embassy or Consulate closest to your home will usually process your visa application. Use the to locate the nearest embassy or consulate.
When should you apply?
- A student visa can be issued no more than 120 days before the start date listed on your Form I-20 or DS-2019.
- Students cannot enter the U.S. before 30 days prior to their program start date.
When you plan your visa appointment, reserve enough time to attend the appointment and receive your approval.
Check the embassy’s processing time to ensure your visa will arrive on time.
What should you take to the U.S. Embassy/Consulate?
Go to the to fill out the Online Form for a visa application.
It is crucial that you take all of the required documents to your visa appointment.
Be sure to take:
- Your valid passport, with at least six months validity on it from the date you will enter the U.S., and all previously issued passports
- The receipt from your SEVIS I-901 fee payment
- The I-20 or DS-2019 form provided by 51³Ô¹ÏÍø or your sponsoring agency
- A letter of admission from 51³Ô¹ÏÍø
- A copy of your TOEFL Score, if you are a non-native English speaker
- Original proof of your financial support
- Passport-sized photographs for your visa.
- Previous school transcripts, diplomas, or records
- Proof of ties to your home country. The F-1 and J-1 visas are non-immigrant visas, which means you must be able to prove that you will return to your home country after you complete of your program of study at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø. Visit the embassy website for information about the documentation you should bring.
What happens at the U.S. Embassy/Consulate
You will be required to speak with a consular official who will quickly review your documents and ask about your plans of study.
The officer will verify that you have the academic ability, English language skills, and financial resources to study at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø.
Since you are applying for a non-immigrant visa, the officer will require documentation of proof of intent to return to your home country.
The officer will give you instructions about when to return to pick up your documents and your visa, or when to expect them in the mail.
A few applicants may receive a request to submit additional information.
Step 6 - Review Your Visa
Make sure that the following information is correct:
- Your first, middle and last name is spelled correctly.
- Your date of birth is correct in the mm/dd/yyyy format.
- Your visa type is F-1 or J-1, depending on your status.
The visa is the one immigration document that cannot be applied for or obtained in the U.S.; if you enter the U.S. and your information is incorrect you must exit the U.S. to apply for a new visa.
If your visa is not correct it will affect your ability to obtain a Driver’s License (DL) and/or a Social Security Number (SSN).