Carnegie Mellon University

FAQs: Transfer, Change of Level & Change of Status

The following frequently asked questions are relevant to international transfer students, and international students changing levels or statuses. Immigration regulations and policies are subject to change. Students with additional questions are encouraged to schedule an appointment with an OIE advisor. 

You may remain in the U.S. with an expired visa. An expired visa “sticker” will not affect your F-1 status. If you decide to travel outside the U.S. in the future, you will need to obtain a new F-1 visa before re-entering the U.S.

If you are currently in F-1 student status at another school in the U.S. and you will begin a program at Carnegie Mellon University, you must request that your SEVIS Record be "released" to CMU so that we can issue you a CMU immigration document. Please review the information on our website about transferring to complete this process.  

If you are currently in J-1 student status, visit our online scheduling system to schedule an appointment with an OIE Advisor.

If you are currently in another legal immigration status (such as B-2, F-2, J-2, or H-4), and intend to obtain F-1 status you should submit the required forms necessary to issue an I-20.  We recommend that those in other statuses schedule an appointment using our online scheduling system to discuss your goals and legal status issues with an OIE advisor.  

If you attended a school in the U.S. and had your SEVIS record transferred to Carnegie Mellon, the notation at item 3 on the I-20 will state “Transfer Pending from: your current school.” When you attend immigration orientation and check-in with OIE, your attendance at CMU will be registered and your record will be reported as “Transfer Complete.”

Students who are enrolled at CMU and starting a new academic program at CMU in the following semester are considered continuing students. Therefore, you are subject to the same immigration regulations as all other continuing international students.