Transferring Out of UTEP
You may choose to transfer out of UTEP to attend another DHS-approved (“Department of Homeland Security “- approved) university. You can transfer in the middle of a program or you can transfer after completing one program and before starting another one. (It is also possible to transfer even if you haven’t attended UTEP; however, you must have entered the United States with UTEP’s I-20 and you must report to OIP).
You may be interested in getting your classes transferred to your new school so that they will count toward your degree. However, in this section, we are talking about the transfer of your SEVIS / I-20 record. Your SEVIS record can only be controlled by one university at a time.
If you have maintained your F-1/F-3 status, then UTEP needs to transfer your SEVIS record to your new school. Your new school will then make you a new I-20 from the same record.
If you have not maintained F-1/F-3 status, UTEP will not be able to transfer your SEVIS record to the new school. In this case, you will need to contact your new school for instructions about how to get your new I-20.
If you wish to transfer out of UTEP, please follow these steps:
1) Obtain the transfer eligibility form from your new school
2) Bring the form to OIP to fill out
3) OIP will fax the form to your new school
4) Bring OIP a copy of your acceptance letter to the new school
5) Fill out the “Transfer Out” form at OIP
OIP will then set a date for your SEVIS record to be released to your new school. This date is usually a date after the end of your last semester at UTEP. However, if you need an earlier transfer date, please come speak to an international student advisor at OIP.
On the transfer date, your SEVIS record will be automatically released to your new school. After this happens, UTEP will not have any access to your SEVIS record. If you need to change your transfer release date or decide not to attend the new school, notify OIP immediately so that the transfer can be canceled.
There are time limits for transfers. The latest that OIP can transfer a SEVIS record to your new school is:
1) 30 days after the start of UTEP’s semester AND
2) 15 days after the start of your new school’s semester / session
IMPORTANT NOTE: Once your SEVIS record has been transferred to another institution, any employment permissions you obtained from UTEP are no longer valid. If you are working on campus, with a CPT (Curricular Practical Training), with an OPT (Optional Practical Training), or with an economic hardship permit, you must stop working once the transfer has been done. It would be best to stop working the day before the record is transferred. If you work on this date or later, you are working illegally.
Office of International Programs
203 Union East Bldg * (915) 747-5664 * oip@utep.edu * Hours: Monday-Tuesday 8-6 Wednesday-Friday 8-5