TRANSFER STUDENTS

Transfer Process for F-1 students
Be Sure to complete your F-1 Transfer!

The transfer procedure is quite simple as long as you follow the proper steps. However, if you fail to complete your transfer to UCI, then you may have a real reason to panic! So please, take care of this right away. These are the steps U.S. government regulations require you to follow to maintain your valid F-1 status:

1) Take the International Student Transfer Release Form that you receive to the international student advisor (DSO) of the school whose I-20 you currently have and request that your SEVIS record be released to UC Irvine. If you have maintained status, you are considered eligible to transfer to another school. The completed form must be returned to the UCI International Center (IC) by mail or fax.

2) Mail copies of your current immigration documents (previous school's I-20, F-1 visa stamp,passport picture and expiration date, I-94 card, front and back, EAD card for OPT, if you're on OPT) to the International Center:

UCI International Center
500 East Peltason Drive
Irvine, CA 92697-5255

Note: All graduate transfer students MUST complete the Confidential International Applicant Questionnaire form (CIAQ).

This form along with your financial statement must be sent via mail directly to your prospective departments. Your CIAQ form, financial statement and admission letter will then be forwarded to us by your prospective departments for an I-20 request. Once the items in #1 and #2 have been received by the IC, your I-20 will be ready for you after 15 business days.

3) Visit the International Center to get information on attending a "Check-In" session. You can check-in only AFTER you have registered for your classes and paid your fees. Bring your passport, UCI I-20, proof of your registration and fee payment to the session.

Check-In must be completed no later than 15 days from the beginning of the quarter.

And that's all there is to the transfer process!