Transfer to UC Berkeley from Another U.S. School

After being admitted to a new school through the normal admissions process, international students must then request a transfer of their SEVIS record from the old school to the new school. Consult with international student advisers at both schools to make sure the F-1 or J-1 transfer is handled properly.

Eligibility

F-1 Students

An F-1 student is eligible to transfer to UC Berkeley if they are in valid F-1 status at the time of transfer. There can be no more than a 5-month gap between schools from the last date of attendance, OR the last day of Optional Practical Training (OPT), whichever is later. The deadline for F-1 students to request a transfer is 60 days after the program completion date or OPT end date, whichever is later.

UC Berkeley's SEVIS School Name is "University of California at Berkeley." Our School Code is SFR214F00615000.

J-1 Students

J-1 students who wish to transfer from their current program sponsor to UC Berkeley must consult with international student advisers at both schools.

To be eligible for a J-1 at UC Berkeley, the student must:

• receive a majority of their financial support from sources other than personal funds.
• have adequate financial support for all of their school and living expenses, including additional financial support for any accompanying family members, for the duration of your degree program as determined by normative time AND 51% of your total financial support comes from an institutional or government sponsor in the form of a scholarship, fellowship, assistantship, stipend, tuition waiver, or other direct support provided specifically for the educational program. Personal or family funds do not qualify. Loans or support from individuals do not qualify.
• request a J-1 transfer before their DS-2019 program end date.
• transfer by their program completion date or the end of the Academic Training period, whichever is later.
• not transfer during their 30-day grace period following completion. 
• apply for a new visa with the new institution's DS-2019 if planning to travel abroad between programs. If the J-1 student remains in the United States between transfer institutions and does not leave the country, a new J-1 visa stamp is not required. 

UC Berkeley's SEVIS School Name is "University of California at Berkeley." Our Program Number is P-1-00352.

Steps to Transfer to UC Berkeley:

1.  Notify an international student adviser at your current school that you intend to transfer to UC Berkeley. The adviser will enter a SEVIS Release Date into your recordOn this date, your SEVIS record will automatically transfer to UC Berkeley. The release date is usually the last day of enrollment at your current school.
2. Complete the Nonimmigrant Information Form (NIF) and upload the required documents, including passport and proof of funding. F-1 students will receive a transfer I-20 from Berkeley International Office within two weeks following their transfer release date.
3. Complete your mandatory Online Arrival Confirmation.
4. Pay your tuition fees and update your local address in CalCentral no later than 15 days after the first day of classes in order to complete your transfer. If you have difficulty with this process, consult an advisor at Berkeley International Office before the 15-day deadline.
5. F-1 students will be issued a second transfer I-20 and notified by email to pick it up at Berkeley International Office. This second I-20 is proof that your transfer has been completed successfully.

Fall Admit Transfer Students Taking Classes in Summer

As a student transferring your SEVIS record from another U.S. institution, your I-20 will reflect your Fall semester start date,regardless of any summer classes you take. With a Fall I-20 you may take as many or as few summer units as you wish. You may want a summer I-20 start date if:

• The gap between your last date of attendance, OR the last day of Optional Practical Training (OPT) and your start date at UC Berkeley is more the 5 months.
• You will apply for off-campus work authorization during the summer.

If one of these options applies to you, please review the instructions for obtaining a summer I-20.

Traveling Between Schools

Transfer students may travel and re-enter the United States any time while between school programs. However, transfer students must re-enter with their UC Berkeley I-20 or DS-2019 and not the previous school's document. F-1 and J-1 students must have valid visa stamps to re-enter the United States. F-1 students can use a valid visa stamp issued for their pre-Berkeley institution as long as the SEVIS ID number remains the same.  If the J-1 student plans to re-enter the US following the transfer, the J-1 student must apply for a new J-1 visa with the new institution's DS-2019.  If the J-1 student remains in the U.S. between transfer institutions and does not leave the country, a new J-1 visa stamp is not required. 

Transfer From UC Berkeley

If you are planning to leave UC Berkeley to go to another U.S. school, you must request a "transfer out" from an adviser at Berkeley International Office. The adviser will release your SEVIS record to the new school. The date of your release depends on your program status. For more information, contact Berkeley International Office.

Also, visit our Transfer From UC Berkeley page.