FAQs - International Admissions at TSU

Once the Office of International Student Affairs receives your completed application packet, it will take 10-14 days to create your I-20. The International Student Affairs Office (ISA) will let you know what documents you need to submit. If you have questions about the documents or timeline, please contact the ISA Office. Most students receive I-20s 2-3 months before school starts.

Texas Southern University starts later in the year than some other universities. This means that the timeline for receiving your I-20 and applying for your visa may also be later than other universities. This is fine, as the timeline is sufficient for receiving your documents and getting your visa.

After ISA receives your complete application packet, it will take ISA about 5-7 days to create a new I-20 for you. We will then send it out to you in the mail. The time it will take to get to you will depend on the shipping method that you select or that your academic department uses.

If your current I-20 or OPT end date will be within 5 months of the TSU start date, you may be eligible to transfer your SEVIS record to TSU. You will need to submit all documents and complete a Transfer In form from our office.

You can print a receipt from the SEVIS website.

For security reasons, our office is unable to accommodate this request. We cannot send personal information, such as the SEVIS ID number or I-20 copies, over email. We also do not recommend scheduling your appointment before you have the physical document in your hand.

The University cannot customize I-20 start dates for specific students. The I-20 start date is set by the school and cannot be changed based on individual circumstances. You are allowed to enter the U.S. up to 30-days before the start date listed on the document

You can check-in online after you enter the U.S. in F-1 Student status. You can do the online check in from anywhere in the U.S. If you will not have access to the internet, a camera, or a scanner, you can wait until you come to Houston and check in at ISA within three days.

F-1 Students: See the eligibility criteria above and consult with your current school. As long as your record is 'SEVIS Active,' you have continually maintained status at your current school, and you meet the timing and eligibility criteria above, you will be eligible for a SEVIS transfer.

Students: Consult with ISA and your current school.

No. A 'Completed' SEVIS record cannot be changed. If your SEVIS record is 'Complete', you are not eligible for a SEVIS transfer to TSU. You will need to leave the country and re-enter on a new I-20 from TSU.

Most likely not. It is extremely rare that we can accept 'terminated' records. If you failed to maintain status at your previous University (e.g. failure to enroll, suspended for disciplinary reasons, no show, etc.), you will not be eligible for a SEVIS transfer to TSU. If you have a terminated SEVIS record and believe you are eligible for a SEVIS transfer, contact ISA for guidance.

ISA must receive your SEVIS record at least two weeks before your program will begin. You must have your new I-20 to legally start your new program. If you are currently on post-completion OPT (or STEM), based on your previous record, transferring your SEVIS record will automatically end your OPT and cause you to forfeit any remaining OPT time. Consult with your current school for transfer timing.

No. By regulation, all SEVIS transfer students must have the start date of the official term start. We are unable to adjust start dates based on personal circumstances or pre-program activities. See the TSU Academic Calendar for official quarter start dates.

As the SEVIS transfer is electronic, it happens instantaneously. However, after we receive your record from your new school, it will take 5-7 days to create your new TSU I-20, assuming you have all required documents. Make sure to plan ahead to have your school release your record at least two weeks before your program begins.

As a SEVIS Transfer student, you must go through the exact process outlined on our admission website. In addition to the documents listed there, you and your current school must complete a TSU Transfer in Form (available on the page above)

By regulation, all SEVIS transfer students must have the start date of the official term start and cannot include and pre-program activities. We are unable to adjust start dates based on personal circumstances or pre-program activities. See the TSU Academic Calendar for official quarter start dates in other terms.

No. By regulation, all SEVIS transfer students must have the start date of the official term start and cannot include and pre-program activities. We are unable to adjust start dates based on personal circumstances or pre-program activities. See the TSU Academic Calendar for official quarter start dates.

However, SEVIS transfer students are not restricted to the 30-day entry requirement. If you have required sessions to attend before the quarter starts, you can certainly do so with your SEVIS transfer I-20.

To create your SEVIS transfer I-20, the following criteria must be met:

1. Your 'Transfer Release Date' must have passed,
2. We must have received your transfer-in form from your previous school, and
3. You must have submitted all other required documentation (e.g. CERTIFICATION OF FINANCES, passport, financial information) outlined on the admission page.

If all of your application documents are in order, your SEVIS transfer I-20 will be created about 5-7 days after your transfer release date.

No. If your F-1 visa is still valid, you can continue to use it until its expiration date. It is OK if your old school's name is on your visa. This is one benefit of transferring your SEVIS record.

Yes. Once your record is successfully transferred, you will be allowed to remain in the U.S. or travel in and out of the U.S. in between programs.

Yes, but you must have the TSU I-20 to re-enter the U.S. after your previous program ends. If you do travel, you are not subject to the 30-day entry restriction (entering no earlier than 30 days before your program starts) and can enter the U.S. at any point before your program.

Yes. As a SEVIS transfer student, you are not subject to the 30-day entry restriction (entering no earlier than 30 days before your program starts) and can enter the U.S. at any point before your program. You can participate in any pre-program activities before your start date, as long as you have electronically checked in to OISA with your TSU I-20.