The new rule sets clear limits on transferring and moving up: undergraduates generally cannot transfer during the first academic year, graduate students generally cannot transfer or change educational objective mid-program, and after finishing one degree you may generally only move up to a higher educational level. Below, by your situation.
← Back to the F-1 new-rule overviewTwo keys: one is “timing,” the other is “whether SEVP approves an exception.” During the first academic year, and mid-program at the graduate level, transferring and changing educational objective are generally prohibited unless SEVP approves an exception for extenuating circumstances. Also, even if you're eligible to transfer, doing a SEVIS transfer by itself does not extend your I-94.
Open the stage that fits you best.
The rule generally bars students below the graduate level, during the first academic year, from transferring, changing major, changing educational level, or changing educational objective—unless SEVP approves an exception for extenuating circumstances.
Rule-explicitFor example: a school closure, a school losing SEVP certification, a natural disaster that keeps the school from holding classes for a prolonged period, a K–12 student who must change schools, or other circumstances beyond the student's control. Whether it qualifies is ultimately decided by SEVP.
Rule-explicitOrdinary personal choices generally don't qualify: tuition is too high, wanting to move to another state, disliking the school, finding a higher-ranked school, wanting to change major, wanting a school that offers CPT, or wanting to live closer to family.
Reasonable inferenceAfter finishing the first academic year, an undergraduate in good status can generally transfer to another school, or change to a same-level major or program.
Rule-explicitIf the new program can't be completed before your current I-94 expires, you still must: obtain the new school's I-20 and file an I-539, or depart and re-enter for a new I-94. A SEVIS transfer by itself does not extend the I-94.
Rule-explicitJohn Doe transfers to another university in his sophomore year for the same major. He's in good status and the transfer direction is fine; but the new school's Program End Date runs past his current I-94. So he still files an I-539 (or departs and re-enters) to lawfully study through graduation.
The rule generally provides that graduate-level (master's / doctoral) students cannot change educational objective or transfer during the program; only SEVP, on extenuating circumstances, can approve an exception.
Possible exceptions are mainly where the school or program can't continue for external reasons—for example a school closure, loss of F-1 certification, a merger that cancels the program, or a natural disaster that keeps the school from holding classes for a prolonged period.
Rule-explicitFor example: your advisor leaving, funding ending, wanting to change research field, wanting to follow a professor to another school, a poor ranking, higher tuition, failing a qualifying exam, academic probation, or wanting to move to a Day-1 CPT school. Some may genuinely be beyond the student's control, but the rule currently doesn't clearly list them all as acceptable exceptions.
Reasonable inferenceA student who hasn't maintained a full course of study can't automatically restore F-1 status by transferring. If you dropped below full-time without approval, failed to complete coursework over a long period, fell short due to probation or suspension, had your SEVIS terminated, or have another violation, you generally can't just do a SEVIS transfer—you may need to apply for reinstatement, or depart and re-enter with a new initial I-20.
Rule-explicitThe basic process is preserved: notify your current school's DSO → notify the school you're transferring to → the current school sets a release date in SEVIS → before the release date, the current school still controls the SEVIS record → after the release date the new school takes over → the new school issues a transfer-pending or continued-attendance I-20 → report to the new school as required. Before the release date, you can ask your original DSO to cancel the transfer.
Rule-explicitA regular student must be able to start or resume the new program within five months of transferring out or finishing the original program. An OPT or STEM OPT student must start or resume within five months of the earlier of the “SEVIS transfer-out date” and the “OPT / STEM OPT end date.”
Rule-explicitAn F-1 student may be away from the U.S. for up to five months and then return using the same SEVIS record and I-20 (endorsed by the DSO). This rule is unchanged in this rulemaking. Notify your DSO before leaving, and make sure your SEVIS record is back to Active before returning.
Rule-explicitJohn Doe must return home for four months for family reasons. Because it's within five months, he can use his original SEVIS record and I-20 to return and resume, without redoing everything in initial status.
Except for study abroad, anyone away for more than five months must re-enter in initial status—including but not limited to obtaining a new I-20, and it will re-determine your lawful stay.
Rule-explicitFor example, a master's after a bachelor's OPT, or a doctorate after a master's STEM OPT—moving up is generally still allowed. You must: obtain a new I-20 from the new school, follow the SEVIS transfer and five-month rules, and confirm the new program can be completed within your current I-94—if not, file an I-539 before your current lawful stay ends, or depart and re-enter.
Rule-explicitIf the first program was completed after the effective date, you generally can't use F-1 for a same-level or lower-level program again. See the same-level limits explained on the CPT / Second Master's page.
Rule-explicitTwo things most easily overlooked: one is “timing” (limits are strictest in the first year and mid-program at the graduate level), the other is that doing a SEVIS transfer does not extend the I-94. Even if the transfer direction itself is fine, if the new program runs past your current I-94 you still file an I-539 or re-enter.
This page is general information, not legal advice for any specific case. The rule was published July 17, 2026 and takes effect Sept. 15, 2026; it remains a major rule subject to congressional review and could face litigation. Before taking any action, consult your school's DSO and an immigration attorney.