S2 Blog: Transferring From Another US School: Stay Enrolled Until the Release Date

One of the fastest ways to accidentally break F-1 status is to stop attending your current school before the release date. Transfers require a specific sequence: stay enrolled, request release, transfer SEVIS. Mess up this order and you’re out of status. This article explains the mechanics.

Understanding the Enrollment Requirement

F-1 students must maintain full-time enrollment while in status. “Full-time” typically means:

Master’s students: 6–9 credit hours per semester (or quarter)
Doctoral students: Sometimes as few as 3 credit hours (depends on school)
Undergraduate students: 12 credit hours minimum

If you drop below full-time before your program officially ends or before you’re released, you’re out of status even if you’re “finishing up” or “writing your thesis.”

Example of a mistake: “I finished my coursework in April. My program doesn’t officially end until May 31. I stopped attending in April. Now I’m out of status for May.”

This is self-inflicted. You had to stay enrolled (even in a light schedule) until May 31 or until your DSO released you.

The Transfer Sequence (Correct Order)

Enroll in courses at your current school (spring semester, last semester, whatever)
Apply to new school (while still attending current school)
Get admitted and receive I-20 from new school
One week before new program starts: Request transfer from current school
Current DSO processes: Issues a release (3–5 business days)
SEVIS record transfers: Your old school’s record goes inactive; new school’s record goes active
Start new program: Attend classes at new school

Never: Stop attending before step 4.

What “Release Date” Means

Your current DSO will note a “release date” on your I-20 or in their system. This is the date your SEVIS record is released to the new school. Until this date, you’re still technically enrolled at your current school (even if classes have ended, even if you’ve graduated).

After release date: You’re a student at the new school. Your old school has no authority over you.

Before release date: You’re a student at the old school and must comply with their enrollment requirements.

The Transfer-In Form vs. The Release

These are sometimes confused:

Transfer-In Form: A document (sometimes called a “transfer request” or “SEVIS release form”) that you (or your new school) request from your current DSO. It confirms:

You’re a legitimate student in good standing
You’ve completed (or nearly completed) your program
You can be released
Basic info: current SEVIS ID, new school, program start date

The Release: What happens after the DSO processes the form. Your SEVIS record is transferred. Takes 2–5 business days after form submission.

You request the form; the DSO processes it and issues the release.

Release Date Planning

Scenario 1: You finish your current program and immediately enroll in a new one

Current program ends May 31
New program starts September 1
Release date: One week before September 1 (around August 25)
You stay enrolled until August 25
August 25–29: SEVIS transfer (3–5 days)
September 1: Start new program

Scenario 2: You want to take a summer break

You can’t take a semester off without losing status. Either:

Get a “special authorization” from your current DSO (requires permission; most schools allow one semester)
Keep a minimal enrollment (1–2 courses) to stay in status
Or have the release happen right at your program end, then immediately enroll in the new program

Scenario 3: Your current program ends in May, but your new program doesn’t start until October

This is a 5-month gap. Your new school can’t set a program start date more than 5 months after your release date. So if you release in May, new program must start by October. That works in this scenario. But you have a 4-month gap where you’re not in school and not authorized to work. You can be in the U.S. during this time (not out of status, because you’re released and waiting for new I-20). But you can’t work

Most students try to avoid long gaps by timing their applications so release and new enrollment are close together.

What Happens If Your Current School Closes

Rare but possible. If your university closes mid-program:

The school’s DSO will help you transfer immediately (federal rule requires DSO assistance)
SEVIS allows transfers without the normal rules (can happen faster, with less documentation)
You likely have 60 days to complete a transfer or find another school
Contact your current DSO right away — they have a protocol for this

If you’re ever in this situation, tell your GoElite consultant immediately. We’ve helped students through school closures; it’s manageable with proper guidance.