Who is a transfer student?

If a student currently has an Active Student and Exchange Visitor System (SEVIS) record with another SEVP-certified institution in the U.S., they may be eligible to transfer their SEVIS record to Northeastern University. Transfer students must:

  1. Request to have their SEVIS record transferred out from their current institution to Northeastern University
  2. Apply for a Transfer I-20 from Northeastern University

Transferring your record

It is important that you work with the Designated School Official (DSO) at your current school’s international office on the specific process and required documentation needed to complete your transfer-out request. As your current school holds your SEVIS record, you must first start the transfer process there. 

After completion of the transfer out process, your current institution will set a transfer release date for your SEVIS record. This is the date that your record will be transferred to Northeastern University. In general, your transfer release date has to be within 60-days from the expiration date on your I-20. 

Please be sure to confirm with your current school that your record will be transferred to the correct campus at Northeastern. Campus locations include Boston, Seattle, Silicon Valley, Oakland, Arlington, Portland and Charlotte. 

Your I-20 form from Northeastern cannot be issued until you complete the required steps of requesting a Transfer I-20 with OGS. In addition, your I-20 cannot be issued until your SEVIS record has been released by your transfer out school to Northeastern. 

Applying for the transfer I-20

You can submit a Transfer I-20 request only after you have been officially admitted to a full-time program of study.  At that time, you will then be able to submit an electronic I-20 request through myOGS. OGS encourages you to submit your Transfer I-20 request as soon as possible to provide ample time for the issuance of the I-20 prior to your enrollment. 

CAMPUS SCHOOL CODES

  • Boston Campus: BOS214F00257000
  • Charlotte Campus: BOS214F00257001
  • Seattle Campus: BOS214F00257002
  • Silicon Valley Campus: BOS214F00257003
  • Portland (The Roux Institute) Campus: BOS214F00257007
  • Arlington Campus: BOS214F00257009
  • Mills (Oakland) Campus: BOS214F00257008

Suggested Deadlines to Submit your I-20 Request

OGS recommends that you submit your completed I-20 request e-form by the following dates to allow time for visa processing. The suggested deadlines are a guide and do not guarantee you will receive the visa in time for your program.

  • February 19, 2024: Initial I-20 request for Graduate Certificate, M.S., and PhD. For students outside of the U.S.
  • March 18, 2024: Transfer I-20 request or international students already in the U.S
  • March 25, 2024:  Initial I-20 request Graduate Certificate, M.S. and PhD. For students outside of the U.S.
  • April 11, 2024: Transfer I-20 request or international students already in the U.S.
  • May 20, 2024:  Initial I-20 request Graduate Certificate, M.S. and PhD. For students outside of the U.S.
  • June 17, 2024: Transfer I-20 request or international students already in the U.S.
  • July 20, 2024:  Initial I-20 request Graduate Certificate, M.S. and PhD. For students outside of the U.S.
  • August 19, 2024: Transfer I-20 request or international students already in the U.S.

July 15, 2024:  Initial and transfer-in I-20 requests

  • August 5, 2024:  Initial I-20 request Graduate Certificate, M.S. and PhD. For students outside of the U.S.
  • August 26, 2024: Transfer I-20 request or international students already in the U.S.

How to prepare and submit an online request:

After confirming your enrollment, you will be able to submit an electronic I-20 request through myOGS.

1 Confirm your Enrollment

You are required to confirm your enrollment by following the instructions on your official decision letter, which may include arranging to pay (e.g. by credit card) an enrollment deposit. This transaction is required of all admitted students before they initiate the I-20 process.

2 Required documents for the I-20 request e-form. They must be in digital format of PDF or JPEG.

3 Access the I-20 request e-form.

Click here to submit your I-20 request.