OPT or STEM OPT SEVIS Transfer Out 

According to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), a “transfer” occurs when an F-1 student moves from one school to another, and the transfer procedure must be completed. 

• If you are currently on OPT or STEM OPT once your record is transferred you give up any remaining time on the work authorization.

• Additionally, students on STEM OPT will also need to validate their current employment before the transfer can be completed. 

Once you submit the SEVIS Transfer Out Request, a SUNY New Paltz Designated School Official (DSO) will update your record in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) as a "transfer out" and indicate the name of your transfer school and a transfer release date.
 

• Although you may apply to multiple new schools, the International Student Advisor at New Paltz may indicate only one transfer school in SEVIS.

• Your transfer release date will be the date you indicated on the Transfer out form.

• Your transfer school will not be able to issue you a new I-20 until the transfer release date.

• If you decide to cancel your school transfer you must notify the DSO at SUNY New Paltz before your transfer release date---once the transfer release date has been reached, SUNY New Paltz will no longer have access to your SEVIS record.

• Before you decide to transfer, be sure that the transfer school has been approved by the immigration system as a SEVIS school.

Eligibility 

• You must be in valid F-1 student status.

• Have no active holds on your record

• If you already completed OPT or STEM OPT, you must still be within your 60-day grace period.
   

Required Materials

• Letter of admission to a new school

• STEM OPT student (only) must also submit the STEM OPT Validation Request. 

Procedure

1. Log in to your My OPT Profile.   

2. Click on “2. Requests”  

3. Under “What Can We Help You With”, see your request options, and click on the Transfer Out Request.  

4. Ensure that your US address is correct and that no holds exist on your record. (To update address use the Contact Information Update Request)

5. You will need to upload admission letter.

6. Complete Transfer out form.

7. Electronically sign your F-1 Transfer Out Agreement.

8. Submit.

​​You will receive an email from the International Student Services office once your record has been released to the new school. 

Special Considerations

• Choosing you release date:   Please note, if the transfer out date you choose is before your OPT end date, we will terminate your current employment as of the day of the requested SEVIS record release date.  The reason being, by completing the transfer out process, you will be forfeiting your remaining OPT time.  Therefore, we advise you choose your transfer out date accordingly. 

• Once your SEVIS record is transferred from SUNY New Paltz to your new school:

  • you are forfeiting any remaining OPT time. 

• Students completing STEM OPT must also submit the STEM OPT Validation Request, the final STEM OPT evaluation, bottom half of page 5 of the I-983, to complete your STEM OPT reporting requirements.  
  
   

To begin this request, login here: My OPT Profile

International Student Services: 
E-mail: international@newpaltz.edu
Phone: +1-845-257-3595