Most non-immigrant visa statuses allow students to change schools, although the new school must prepare its own visa sponsorship prior to the change. For F and J visas, moving from one school to another while remaining on the F or J visa is called a SEVIS transfer.
For more information about transfers and leaving Western New England University, click on the visa type that is applicable to you below.
F-1 students who planning on transferring to another institution or will be attending another institution after their program ends at WNE must first discuss this with their academic advisor and complete all required paperwork. Once done, students must provide IPE with the acceptance letter to the new school and a transfer out form (if applicable). It is advised that students discuss their travel plans and new program start dates with the IPE staff before settling on a SEVIS transfer release date. Students must request the transfer before the end of their 60 day grace period.
Note: If you are working on-campus, your employment ends the day your record is transferred to the new school.
F-1 students may remain the United States for 60 days following the completion of their academic programs if they have not applied for OPT. Individuals in F-1 status may also remain in the United States for 60 days following the expiration date of post-completion OPT. Students may remain in the United States during the grace period to prepare to leave or to change to another visa status. During the grace period, students are not permitted to work or study.
Note: If you depart the U.S. during the 60-day grace period, you cannot re-enter the U.S. in F-1 status with your I-20 for the program you just completed.
Students intending to remain in the United States for more than 60 days after completing their programs at WNE should take the initiative, during the grace period, to prepare and submit proper paperwork to change to another visa status in order to maintain lawful immigration status in the United States.
Students are expected to leave the United States at or before the end of the 60 day grace period.
Grace periods also apply to any dependents in F-2 status.
If you depart the U.S. after your program ends and wish to return for your commencement ceremony will need to do so in a different status if you did not apply for OPT. Information about the B1/B2 and Visa Waiver Program is here.
If you wish to invite your family members to commencement, review the Invitation Letter information here.
A J-1 student in good standing may request to transfer from one educational institution to another as long as the transfer is to complete the same educational objective for which they were admitted to as a J-1 student. A transfer is processed through updates to the J-1 student's SEVIS record performed by both the current school and the new school. A J-1 student who intends to transfer from one educational institution to another should discuss their plans with the Responsible Officer (RO)/Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) of both schools, provide official evidence of academic admission at the new school, and decide on a specific date of transfer. All transfer requests must be made before the end date on your DS-2019 form.
WNE sponsored J-1 students who plan to transfer to another J-1 educational institution should contact IPE immediately after being admitted into a full-time degree program of study at another higher education institution in the United States.
A J-1 student who has completed a course of study including any authorized Academic Training following completion of studies is given an additional 30-day grace period for departing the United States, applying to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to change J-1 status to another status if they are not subject to the two-year home country residence requirement, or transferring to another educational institution.
Grace periods also apply to any dependents in J-2 status.
