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F-1 students admitted to a new school in the U.S., admitted to another JHU school, or admitted to a new program within the same JHU school must request a Transfer Out, Change of Level or Intercampus Transfer from OIS in a timely manner in order to maintain their valid immigration status.  To be eligible, students must meet the following general criteria:

  • Must be maintaining their F-1 status
  • Must notify OIS of their intention to transfer or change educational level within 60 days of the last day of your last registered term at JHU or the end of Optional Practical Training (OPT) by submitting the appropriate eForm request through iHopkins
  • The new program start date must be within 5 months of the current program end date

Review the two scenarios below to determine which one applies to you and then select appropriate option from the drop down for a list of steps you must take. 

  1. Transfer Out: Students who have been admitted to a new degree program at a new U.S. school and would like to request a transfer your SEVIS record to the new school.
     
  2. Change of Level and Intercampus Transfer: Students who complete a Johns Hopkins degree program (or OPT/STEM OPT period) and plan to start a new Hopkins degree program within the next five months should complete either the Change of Level or Intercampus Transfer process. A Change of Level or Intercampus Transfer may apply to students in the following situations:
    • Students who have been admitted to a dual Bachelors/Master’s program – a fully signed “Combined Bachelor’s-Master’s Change of Classification Form” will be required for WSE and KSAS students. Students must obtain the Change of Classification form from their department/academic coordinator.
    • Students who complete one JHU degree and will begin a new degree (same level or higher)
    • Students on a period of JHU-sponsored OPT/STEM OPT who will begin a new JHU degree program
    • Sometimes: PhD students who will complete their program with a master’s degree only and will not apply for OPT – if this may apply to you, please contact OIS for further advising as soon as possible

For students in the situations above, a Change of Level will apply when both of your degrees are in the same JHU school (for example, completing a bachelor’s degree in the Whiting School of Engineering and starting a master’s degree also in the Whiting School of Engineering. Students completing a master’s degree in the Bloomberg School of Public Health and starting a PhD in School of Medicine or School of Nursing and vice versa will follow change of level process). 

An Intercampus Transfer will apply when your degrees are in different JHU schools (for example, completing a bachelor’s degree in the Whiting School of Engineering and starting a master’s degree in School of Advanced International Studies.) 

*Please note, dual AAP/Carey MBA is not eligible for an intercampus transfer because the MBA portion of the program does not offer F-1 sponsorship. 

Steps for F-1 Transfer Out (Transferring from JHU to another school in U.S.)

Steps to Request Transfer of Your SEVIS Record

  1. Obtain admission to the new school
  2. Submit the F-1 SEVIS Transfer Out Request in iHopkins. To submit your request:
    • Go to http://ihopkins.jhu.edu
    • Click “Login” under “Active JHED Login”
    • Login with your JHED ID and password
    • Once logged in, click on “F-1 Student Services” in the menu on the left, then click on “F-1 SEVIS Transfer Out Request”
    • You will be required to upload proof of admission to the new school as a PDF file
  3. Upon the SEVIS release date, the new school will have access to your record and will be able to issue a new I-20 for transfer. The I-20 from Johns Hopkins will no longer be valid
  4. Complete the transfer process at the new school. The transfer must be completed no later than 15 days from the start date on the new school I-20. Contact the new school’s International Student office regarding the transfer completion process at that school

Transfer “Release”

Students may apply to many schools, but the SEVIS record can only be transferred to one school. Once the record is transferred out from Johns Hopkins to the new school, it cannot be changed after the release date. Therefore, before requesting a release, you should decide which school you will attend. The SEVIS record must be released no later than 60 days after the last day of your last registered term. If the time period between the end of your enrollment at Johns Hopkins and the start date of the program at the new school will be more than five months, please contact an OIS advisor.

Transfer While on OPT

If you are currently on OPT and you need to transfer your SEVIS record to a new school, please contact the OIS to discuss the appropriate timing of your SEVIS Release Date. Once OIS releases the F-1 record to your new school, your OPT will end.

Transfer Forms from Other Schools

 

The JHU Office of International Services does not complete transfer eligibility or verification forms from other schools because they are not required by regulation. Pertinent information can be found within the SEVIS record itself. OIS will never transfer a terminated or completed record to another school without the express permission of a DSO at the transfer in school.

Steps for Change of Level (starting a new degree program at the same JHU school)

Steps to Request Change of Level

  1. Obtain confirmed admission to the new program. OIS should be able to confirm your admission to your new program in SIS prior to processing your new form I-20
  2. Submit the Change of Level/Intercampus Transfer Form in iHopkins. To submit your request:
    • Go to http://ihopkins.jhu.edu
    • Click “Login” under “Active JHED Login”
    • Login with your JHED ID and password
    • Once logged in, click on “F-1 Student Services” in the menu on the left, then click on “Change of Level/Intercampus Transfer Form”
    • Select option “Change of Academic Level in the same program of study” and proceed with the form
  3. You will be required to upload proof of financial support for one academic year of your program. Requirements for financial documents can be found here
  4. Complete OIS check-in upon starting the new degree level. Depending on your travel or employment plans, it may be appropriate to complete check-in prior to your program start date. Please contact an OIS advisor for individual timeline questions

Refer to additional information provided on this page to understand the timeframe to enable smooth transition from one program to another.

Steps for Intercampus Transfer (transferring from one JHU school to another JHU school)

Steps to Request Intercampus Transfer of Your SEVIS Record

  1. Obtain confirmed admission to the new program. OIS should be able to confirm your admission to your new program in SIS prior to processing your new form I-20
  2. Submit the Change of Level/Intercampus Transfer Form in iHopkins. To submit your request:
    • Go to http://ihopkins.jhu.edu
    • Click “Login” under “Active JHED Login”
    • Login with your JHED ID and password
    • Once logged in, click on “F-1 Student Services” in the menu on the left, then click on “Change of Level/Intercampus Transfer Form”
    • Select option “Transfer of my current I-20/DS-2019 from current program to another one within JHU” and proceed with the form
  3. You will be required to upload proof of financial support for one academic year of your program. Requirements for financial documents can be found here
  4. Upon the SEVIS release date, an OIS advisor will process the transfer and issue an I-20 for new degree program
  5. Complete OIS check-in upon starting the new degree level. Depending on your travel or employment plans, it may be appropriate to complete check-in prior to your program start date. Please contact an OIS advisor for individual timeline questions

Refer to additional information provided on this page to understand the timeframe to enable smooth transition from one program to another.

Timing Considerations for Change of level and Intercampus Transfer Students 

Change of Level and Intercampus Transfer students should ensure that their requests are submitted in the appropriate timeframe to enable a smooth transition from one program to another. Please keep the following considerations in mind:

Submitting your request:

  • Your new I-20 must be issued within the appropriate timeframe:
    • Students transitioning directly between programs (no break/OPT): No later than 1) 60 days after your I-20 end date OR 2) your last date of enrollment for the previous program, whichever is earlier.
      • Example: If your I-20 end date is May 31, but your last day of classes/exams (not degree conferral or graduation) was May 16, then the 60 days is based on May 16.
    • Students on OPT/STEM OPT: No later than 1) 60 days after your OPT end date OR 2) before you reach the maximum number of unemployment days, whichever is earlier.
  • You can and should submit the Change of Level/Intercampus Request form as soon as your plans are confirmed and you have the necessary documents. At minimum, you must submit your Change of Level/Intercampus Transfer request form through iHopkins at least 10 business days before your deadline for I-20 issuance (see above).
  • OIS will not be able to process new I-20 without the confirmation of admission to your new program and appropriate funding documentation.

Starting your new degree level:

  • All Change of Level and Intercampus Transfer students must complete OIS check-in upon starting their new degree level. Depending on your travel or employment plans, it may be appropriate to complete check-in prior to your program start date. Please contact an OIS advisor for individual timeline questions.

Work Authorization:

  • Students with a Change of Level/Transfer I-20 for a program starting in the next term usually have standard F-1 on-campus work authorization prior to the start of the term. However, you must complete OIS check-in prior to engaging in any on-campus work, and your ability to work will depend on what your department permits and when your OPT/STEM OPT ends [if applicable]
  • In certain situations, it may be possible to engage in CPT soon after starting your new degree program. However, this is determined by both your individual immigration situation and what your program will allow. Please reach out to OIS for advising if you have specific questions
  • Students transitioning directly between programs (no break/OPT):
    • Off-campus work always requires additional work authorization such as CPT or OPT. If you hope to work off-campus between your JHU degree programs, you will likely need to apply for OPT BEFORE you change your degree level. Please contact an OIS advisor about the OPT process prior to submitting the Change of Level/Intercampus Transfer form
  • Students on OPT/STEM OPT:
    • Your OPT/STEM OPT authorization will end on the following date listed below, so please plan accordingly. OIS advisors can work with you if you anticipate a tight turnaround between the end of your OPT period and the start of your new program, so please contact OIS if you have concerns
      • Change of Level: When you reach your program start date OR when you complete OIS check-in, whichever is earlier
      • Intercampus transfer: On your SEVIS Release Date – so make sure you select a SEVIS release date AFTER your last day of employment on OPT
    • Make sure you are up-to-date with your OPT/STEM OPT reporting requirements prior to submitting your Change of Level or Intercampus Transfer form

International Travel

  • Review the OIS webpages on Travel and Visa Renewal (if applicable)
  • Students with a Change of Level or Transfer-Pending I-20 may travel outside the US and re-enter as long as you have a valid F-1 visa in your passport. You don’t need to have your new I-20 to depart the US, but you will need it for re-entry. You may re-enter the United States anytime between degree programs (not limited to 30 days prior to the new program start date)
  • A travel signature is not required when OIS issues the Change of Level or Transfer Pending I-20, and it is not necessary when entering for the first term of your new I-20. After you have arrived and the check-in is approved, a travel signature will be required for returning from subsequent trips outside the US