International Students

Welcome International Students: Your journey to Humphreys starts here.

Steps to Apply for

Change of Status

If you are currently in the U.S. in a non-immigrant status and wish to begin a full-time program of study, you need to change your status to F-1 student. Learn about the application process here:

Steps to Apply

Apply to and receive acceptance from Humphreys University.
Obtain an initial Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” from Humphreys University. The designated school official (DSO) should give Change of Status in the Issue Reason section of the Form I-20.
Pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee. To request premium processing, visit the USCIS website: How Do I Request Premium Processing? | USCIS.
File Form I-539, “Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status,” with USCIS.
Wait for USCIS decision.
If your Change of Status is approved, send a copy of your I-797A Approval Notice to: dso@humphreys.edu.

For more information on the Change of Status process, please visit the DHS website: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/complete/change-of-status.

A change of status from another nonimmigrant visa to nonimmigrant student (F-1 or J-1) currently takes between six and eleven months to process. You may and should stay in the U.S. while awaiting a decision from USCIS. You may attend classes ONLY if you hold a status that allows you to do so (such as H-4). Moreover, you are required to maintain your current status until you receive an answer from USCIS.

You are not considered eligible for benefits of the requested status until your COS application has been approved by USCIS.

Change of Status is Granted

USCIS will send you a Notice of Action (Form I-797A), a new Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure card), and the relevant pages of the Form I-20. The Form I-797A and the Form I-20 will indicate “Change of Status granted on DATE from YOUR CURRENT STATUS to F-1 – D/S.”

Even though the Change of Status is granted inside the U.S., it does not grant you a new visa. Rather, you will need to apply for an F-1 visa at a U.S. Consulate outside of the United States to re-enter the U.S. in F-1 status.

Once an application for change to nonimmigrant student (F-1) status has been approved, you must register for and successfully complete full-time enrollment during the remainder of your stay at Humphreys University, beginning the first available semester after approval of the application.

Your visa and your I20 are not the same thing. A visa is a travel document issued by a US consulate that allows entry into the US, while an I-20 is a document issued by a school that confirms admission and provides supporting information for a student’s immigration status Even though the Change of Status is granted while you are in the U.S., it does not grant you a new visa. To apply for a new visa, you will need to apply at a U.S. Consulate outside of the United States to re-enter the U.S.

Change of Status is Denied

USCIS will send you a Notice of Action (Form I-797A) which may indicate a VOLUNTARY DEPARTURE date. If you intend on returning to the U.S. to pursue studies at Humphreys University, you will need to request a new Form I-20 for Initial Attendance from Humphreys University before you leave the U.S. and apply for a new visa outside the U.S. to return in valid F-1 status.

Change of J-1 Status to F-1 Status

If you hold J-1 status, you may only apply for a change of status within the United States if you are NOT subject to the two-year home residency requirement. If you are subject to the requirement, you must receive a waiver of the requirement before applying for a change of status within the U.S. Exchange Visitor who is subject may leave and apply for an F-1 visa outside the U.S., re-entering in F-1 status.

How to

Transfer SEVIS Record

Overview

If you plan to enroll in another full-time program soon after your last enrollment, end date, or the end of your OPT or CPT, you may be able to transfer your SEVIS record to your new school. Do note that this information pertains to your F-1 immigration record only and will have no impact on your academic record. Contact your academic department if you have questions about transferring your academic record or course credits.

Advantages of Transferring Your Record

Transferring your SEVIS record has a number of advantages. If you are eligible for the transfer,

You keep your current SEVIS ID number and F-1 record
You do not have to pay the SEVIS fee again
If your F-1 visa is still valid, you can continue to use it until its expiration date. It is OK if your old school’s name is on your visa.
You will be allowed to remain in the U.S. or travel in and out of the U.S. in between programs
You are not subject to the 30-day entry restriction (entering no earlier than 30 days before your program starts) and can enter the U.S. at any point before your program
Work authorization benefits: As long as you are otherwise eligible and enrolled in an eligible program, you may be able to apply for off-campus employment through OPT, CPT or AT at the new school, if you will have already built up enough full-time study on your SEVIS record to qualify (one year of full time enrollment). Note: Policies on work authorization do vary from school to school and you will need to work with your new school for any questions you have about their CPT, OPT, or other employment policies.

SEVIS Transfer Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for a SEVIS transfer, you must meet all of the following criteria:

• Be accepted into a SEVIS-approved institution for a full-time program
• Begin your courses at the new school within 5 months of your last HU enrollment (I-20 end date) or post-completion OPT end date (found on your EAD). We will have to transfer your record within 60 days of your I-20 end date or within 60 days of your OPT completion. Your courses (not orientation) at the new school must begin within 5 months of your I-20 end date or post-completion OPT end date.

SEVIS Transfer Procedures

Instructions for Transferring your SEVIS Record to HU

Work with your prior school to choose a Transfer Release Date, which is the date your prior school will release your SEVIS record to Humphreys University.
Your prior DSO will schedule your SEVIS record to automatically transfer to Humphreys University on your transfer release date.
Your SEVIS record will be automatically transferred to Humphreys University on the release date you chose. The transfer is instantaneous and Humphreys University will have access to your record immediately. After this date, all immigration advisement must come from your new school.
Humphreys University will issue you a “Transfer Pending” I-20. Your I-20 will list “Transfer Pending” as the Form Issue Reason. This is normal and means that your record has been transferred to HU. Once you are registered, any subsequently issued I-20s will show that the enrollment process has been completed.

If you are on post-completion OPT, your work authorization will end as soon as your record is transferred. You should work with your prior DSO and plan the timing of SEVIS transfer carefully if you are still working under OPT.

Choosing A Release Date

The Transfer Release Date is the date HU releases your electronic SEVIS record to your new school. The transfer is instantaneous; on the transfer release date, your new school will have access to your F-1 record and will create your new I-20.

After your transfer release date, HU no longer has access to your record and your HU immigration sponsorship ends. The new school cannot create your new I-20 until after the release date. Because of this, there are several points to keep in mind:

You must have your new school’s transfer I-20 before your new program begins. Contact your new school for information about when they must receive your record.
Your existing F-1 SEVIS record must be transferred to your new institution from Humphreys University no later than the 60-day Grace Period following your I-20 end date
If you are finishing OPT, you can transfer your SEVIS record during OPT or during the 60 day grace period following your OPT end date.
If you transfer your record while on post-completion OPT, your OPT will automatically end and any remaining OPT time will be forfeit.

Other Considerations:

Transferring at the End of Academic Program: You can choose a transfer release date any time in the 60-day grace period following your I-20 end date. You cannot transfer your record before the academic term ends, as your legal eligibility to study at HU would also end.

Finishing OPT: You can transfer your record during post-completion OPT or in the 60-day grace period following your OPT end date. However, transferring your SEVIS record while on OPT will automatically cancel any remaining OPT time, even if the date on your EAD is in the future. If you are on OPT, you should wait to have your record transferred until after you are sure that you are finished working. Contact your new school for guidance on timing.

Summer Travel in Between Programs: If you will be traveling internationally in between your HU program and your new program, you will most likely need the new school’s I-20 to re-enter the U.S. or apply for a new F-1 entry visa. Make sure to ask your new school’s about travel timing and when you can expect to receive the new document.

New School’s Timeline: Before selecting a transfer date, contact your new school to confirm how long it will take them to create a new I-20. Schools often need 1-2 weeks to create a new document and you will need your new document before the program begins. Consult with the new program about the transfer release date.

Instructions for Transferring your SEVIS Record From HU

Notify a Humphreys DSO that you plan to transfer your SEVIS Record to a new institution.
Provide a Humphreys DSO with your new school’s name, new school’s SEVIS code, and date that you would like your record transferred.

If you are on post-completion OPT, your work authorization will end as soon as your record is transferred. You should work with a Humphreys DSO and plan the timing of SEVIS transfer carefully if you are still working under OPT.

Understanding F-1 Visas

To be eligible for an I-20 and F-1 visa, you must be admitted to a full-time program of study, meet the English requirement, and be able to show proof of funding for at least the first year of study.

F-1 Visa Students

Must enter 30 days before program start date
60-day grace period at end of program
Spouses in F-2 status may study for recreational purposes (i.e. cooking classes, language classes, etc.) or part-time in a degree program but may not work.
No home residency requirement.
Main types of off-campus work authorization:

Curricular Practical Training (CPT): Training relates directly to the student’s major area of study. Training is an integral part of the school’s established curriculum. Designated school official (DSO) authorizes CPT in SEVIS, and the authorization prints on the student’s Form I-20. Occurs before the student’s program end date on the Form I-20. Authorization is for one specific employer and for a specific period of time. Student must secure the training opportunity before CPT can be authorized. CPT must be authorized before the student can begin work. One year of full-time CPT eliminates a student’s eligibility for OPT.
Optional Practical Training (OPT): Training relates directly to the student’s major area of study. DSO recommends OPT in SEVIS. Student does not have to secure training before the DSO can recommend OPT. Authorized by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), and the student is issued an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Allows the student to work for any employer, as long as the training relates to the student’s major course of study. Can occur before or after the student’s program end date. Periods of OPT cannot overlap. Students are eligible for an additional 12 months of OPT authorization, when they change to a higher educational level.

If you have another status in the U.S., such as H4, L2, or J1, adjustment applicant, it could be possible to study in those statuses without obtaining either an F-1 visa.

Choosing A Release Date

After your transfer release date, HU no longer has access to your record and your HU immigration sponsorship ends. The new school cannot create your new I-20 until on or after the release date. Because of this, there are several points to keep in mind:

You must have your new school’s transfer I-20 before your new program begins. Contact your new school for information about when they must receive your record.
Your existing F-1 SEVIS record must be transferred to your new institution from Humphreys University no later than the 60-day grace period following the program end date listed on your I-20.
If you are finishing OPT, you can transfer your SEVIS record during OPT or during the 60-day grace period following your OPT end date.
If you transfer your record while on post-completion OPT, your OPT will automatically end and any remaining OPT time will be forfeited.

Other Considerations:

Summer Travel in Between Programs: If you will be traveling internationally in between your HU program and your new program, you will most likely need the new school’s I-20 to re-enter the U.S. or apply for a new F-1 entry visa. Make sure to ask your new school about travel timing and when you can expect to receive the new document.

F-1 Reinstatement

F-1 reinstatement is a process available to international students who have fallen out of F-1 status, but wish to regain their legal student status. This situation can arise due to a variety of reasons, such as failing to maintain full-time enrollment or working without authorization.

Humphreys University recommends students work with a reliable and reputable immigration attorney when filing undergoing reinstatement.

Students have two options to reinstate F-1 status:

Option 1: Reinstatement

Reinstatement is an application submitted to USCIS by a student who has violated their status and seeks to return to legal student status. A reinstatement application (Form I-539) is costly and can take six to twelve months to be processed by USCIS. If approved, the student is reinstated and will resume active F-1 status.

Option 2: Travel and Reenter

A student may choose to travel and re-enter the United States if their F-1 visa is still valid. The violation would remain on the previous F-1 record and could affect the ability to obtain a new F-1 visa to return to the U.S. There are several considerations with re-entry:

Reentry is limited to a 30-day period prior to the reporting date on the new I-20
Not eligible for CPT or OPT until enrolled full-time in new F-1 status
Required to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee again for new SEVIS record

Eligibility for Reinstatement

Violation of F-1 status occurred within five months of record termination
No record of repeated or willful violation of USCIS regulations
Currently pursuing a full course of study
Has not engaged in unauthorized employment
Evidence that the violation of status resulted from circumstances beyond your control

Out of Status for 5 Months or Longer

Students who have been out of status for more than 5 months will more than likely need to leave the country and reenter on a new SEVIS record with a new visa. Students in this situation may file for reinstatement if they can demonstrate that failure to file during the 5 months was a result of “exceptional circumstances.”

Reinstatement and Transfer

Students who plan to transfer should inform the new school that they need to file for reinstatement and ask if the school will accept their SEVIS record in terminated status. If the school is willing to accept the terminated SEVIS record, the student must contact a Humphreys DSO to initiate a SEVIS transfer.

Advantages of Transferring Your Record

SEVIS Transfer Eligibility Requirements

SEVIS Transfer Procedures

Understanding F-1 Visas

Choosing a Release Date

F-1 Reinstatement

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I eligible to transfer my SEVIS record from HU to a new school?

F-1 Students: See the eligibility criteria above and consult with your new school. As long as your record is ‘SEVIS Active,’ you have continually maintained status at your current school, and you meet the timing and eligibility criteria above, you should be eligible for a SEVIS transfer. Consult with your new school to determine what the new start date will be.

When can/should I transfer my record?

Please see our information on transfer timing and choosing a transfer release date for additional information.

What is a 'Transfer Release Date'?

The ‘Transfer Release Date’ is the date HU releases your electronic SEVIS record to your new school. On the transfer release date, your new school will have access to your F-1 record and will create your new I-20. After your transfer release date, HU no longer has access to your record and your HU immigration sponsorship ends. The new school cannot create your new I-20 until after the release date.

I am a few days or weeks away from the 5 month SEVIS transfer window. Can you extend or adjust my end date so I am eligible for a SEVIS transfer?

No. We are unable to adjust end dates based on personal circumstances or transfer eligibility. All end dates must align with the official quarter end dates on our Academic Calendar.

How long does it take to do the SEVIS transfer?

As the SEVIS transfer is electronic, it happens instantaneously. Your SEVIS record will be sent to your new school electronically on your transfer release date. After the release it, it will take some time for them to create your new I-20. Consult with your new school for timing advice.

What documents are required for a SEVIS transfer?

For HU, only the SEVIS Transfer Out Request is required. Your new school may require our office to complete a ‘Transfer-In Form’.

My visa is valid for the next 4 years, but has the Humphreys University on it. Will it still be valid after my transfer to a new school?

Yes. If your F-1 visa is still valid, you can continue to use it until its expiration date. It is OK if a different school’s name is on your visa. This is one benefit of transferring your SEVIS record.

Can I stay in the U.S. in between programs?

Yes. Once your record is successfully transferred, you will be allowed to remain in the U.S. or travel in and out of the U.S. in between programs.

Can I travel internationally between programs?

Yes, but you must have the new school’s I-20 to re-enter the U.S. after your HU program ends. If you do travel, you are not subject to the 30-day entry restriction (entering no earlier than 30 days before your program starts) and can enter the U.S. at any point before your program. Contact your new school for additional travel guidance.