SEVIS Record Transfer

• Only one school at a time can access your SEVIS record. When you transfer your SEVIS record to a new school, there is no "break" in your F-1 status and you keep the same SEVIS ID number. Once your SEVIS record is transferred, your new school will issue a new I-20 to you with the same SEVIS ID number as your previous I-20.

• Since there is no break in your F-1 status and your SEVIS ID number is the same, you do not have to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee again.

• You can remain in the U.S. between programs.

Only one school at a time can access your SEVIS record. Once your SEVIS record is transferred to your new school, Berklee will no longer have access to your record and all F-1 benefits associated with Berklee will end.

If you will be transferring before the end of your USCIS-approved OPT: your USCIS work authorization will officially end on your SEVIS transfer date, regardless of the date printed on your EAD.

If you will be transferring before completing your academic program: on-campus employment at Berklee and any Berklee-authorized CPT, pre-completion OPT, or other work authorization will officially end on your SEVIS transfer date, regardless of the end date printed on your work authorization documents.

If you have USCIS-approved OPT:

• Your USCIS-approved OPT will officially end on your SEVIS transfer date, regardless of the date printed on your EAD.
• If you will not complete your OPT, your SEVIS record must be transferred before you reach your unemployment limit. If you exceed your unemployment limit, your F-1 status is considered invalid and your SEVIS record cannot be transferred.

If you have CPT authorization:

• Your CPT authorization will official end on your SEVIS transfer date, regardless of the authorization end date printed on your CPT I-20.

You are eligible to transfer your SEVIS record from Berklee to another U.S. school if you meet all of the criteria below:

1. You are currently maintaining your F-1 status
2. You have an official offer of admission from a new U.S. school
3. The start date of classes at your new school falls within the specified time frame:

   • if you have graduated and are not on OPT: the start of classes at your new school must be within five months of the last day of the semester during which you completed all graduation requirements, and you must still be within your 60-day grace period.

   • if you are on USCIS-approved OPT or your OPT authorization has ended: the start of classes at your new school must be within five months of the end date printed on your EAD, and you must still be within your 60-day grace period.

   • if you will be transferring before completing your academic program: the start of classes at your new school must be within five months of the last day of your enrollment at Berklee.

When you complete Berklee's SEVIS Record Transfer Request Form, you must select the date that you want Berklee to transfer your SEVIS record to your new school.

Guidelines for selecting your SEVIS record transfer date:

• The SEVIS transfer date cannot be in the past. You must choose a SEVIS record transfer date that is at least five business days after the date you submit Berklee's SEVIS Record Transfer Form.

• If you have graduated and are not on OPT: your transfer date must be within the 60-day grace period after your program end date.

• If you are on USCIS-approved OPT and plan to transfer before your EAD end date:

  • Your USCIS work authorization will officially end on your SEVIS transfer date, regardless of the date printed on your EAD.
  • Your SEVIS record must be transferred before you reach your unemployment limit. If you exceed your unemployment limit, your F-1 status is considered invalid and your SEVIS record cannot be transferred.

• If you plan to transfer after completing your USCIS-authorized OPT: your transfer date must be within your 60-day grace period after the end date printed on your EAD.

• If you plan to transfer before completing your academic program:

  • Berklee-authorized CPT will officially end on your SEVIS transfer date, regardless of the end date printed on your CPT I-20.
  • On-campus employment at Berklee will officially end on your SEVIS transfer date.

• If you plan to travel outside the U.S. between programs: you may wish to receive your I-20 from your new school before you depart.

If you have questions about choosing a SEVIS record transfer date:

• Contact the international student advising office at your new school to ask about the earliest and latest acceptable SEVIS transfer dates. The earliest and latest dates will give you a time frame for transferring your SEVIS record.
• Email ISS@berklee.edu if you need additional assistance in choosing your SEVIS record transfer date.

Request your SEVIS record transfer by completing Berklee’s SEVIS Record Transfer Request Form online. Allow five to seven business days for Berklee ISS to process and complete your transfer request.

ISS will email you to confirm the successful transfer of your SEVIS record. Follow instructions provided by your new school to arrange when and how to receive your new I-20.

Complete the SEVIS Record Transfer Form (login required)

You are eligible to transfer your SEVIS record to Berklee from another school if you have received an official offer of admission from Berklee and you have paid your tuition deposit.

Go to the Accepted Undergraduate Visa Information page and follow the steps under How to Request an I-20. The I-20 Request Packet includes a question where you can indicate that you will be transferring your SEVIS record to Berklee. Your Berklee I-20 can be issued once we have your application and supporting documents, and your SEVIS record has been released to Berklee from your current school.

Request that your current school transfer your SEVIS ACTIVE* record to Berklee.  You will need to let your current school know that Berklee does not have a SEVIS Record Transfer In form.  Provide your school with Berklee's SEVIS School code for the location your were accepted into:

Berklee Boston (Berklee College and Boston Conservatory at Berklee): BOS214F00041000

Berklee NYC: BOS214F00041002

*If your SEVIS record is not in ACTIVE status, do not transfer it to Berklee. Contact iss@berklee.edu for immigration advising, include your student ID number and "Inactive SEVIS record" in the subject line.